Erling Haaland scored a brace to help Manchester City produce one of the most comprehensive football scores of the weekend action in the Premier League. The Norwegian, whose father Alfe-Inge played for the Whites when he was born in Leeds in 2000, tucked in Jack Grealish’s square pass six minutes into the second half before scoring another from the same source on the stroke of sixty-four. Since moving to the Premier League from Borussia Dortmund in the summer, the league’s leading scorer has reached the 20-goal milestone in just 14 appearances. That’s seven games faster than Kevin Phillips, who took 21 to set the previous record.
Haaland, who appeared ecstatic about missing the World Cup, also would have scored his fourth hat trick of the year but for a last-second stop by Illan Meslier. These were Grealish’s first assists of the year, and they came after his own finishing in the final third came under scrutiny after a series of wasted opportunities in the first half. But just before halftime, Rodri’s goal (45+1) rewarded Man City for their dominance, and when Haaland scored twice in as many minutes, there was only going to be one result. Haaland had previously been taught by Leeds manager Jesse Marsch at RB Salzburg, but like so many other Premier League managers this season, he was unable to find a way to retain the productive player.
In their two Premier League matches last year, Leeds fell to Man City by an overall score of 11-0, and another crushing loss appeared certain until Pascal Struijk scored with 16 minutes remaining. When Joe Gelhardt’s attempt dribbled just wide, they also came very near to scoring a second. However, Haaland or Man City could not be denied. Haaland gave Leeds a heads-up in the first minute as he forced Meslier to make an angle save. The hosts persevered through the early downpour, during which Kevin De Bruyne missed a shot. But shortly after the half-hour mark, Meslier again denied Haaland from a one-on-one position.
But City did score just before halftime thanks to Rodri, who superbly set up Riyad Mahrez with a De Bruyne ball before acting quickly to put in the rebound of his teammate’s strike. It was amazingly City’s first goal from open play away from home in five games and his first Premier League goal of the year. By the time the final buzzer blew, they would have a few more. In the first half, the visitors controlled 74 percent of the ball, allowing Leeds to only muster one off-target shot from Wilfried Gnonto. The widest differential between two clubs in a Premier League match this season was created by City’s 16 attempts.
They quickly capitalized on their early dominance to defeat Leeds. Grealish took advantage of Liam Cooper’s weak pass, intended for Robin Koch, to intercept, advance, and roll the ball over for Haaland to complete one of the comprehensive football scores. After more solid work from Rodri and De Bruyne, the two were soon at it again, with Haaland reacting quickly to prod in a Grealish cutback.
The loud home supporters sang loudly until the last whistle thanks to Struijk’s header from a corner and Gelhardt’s close call, but the headlines belonged to a player from their hometown. It’s crunch time for City with Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham yet to play in the Premier League before the end of January, but with Haaland in this form, they are more than prepared for the string of matches following the World Cup that might determine their title defense.
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