LEEDS (AFP) – Erling Haaland scored twice as Manchester City defeated Leeds United 3-1 to move back up to second place in the Premier League.
Haaland was unforgiving in front of goal as City resurrected their title challenge against a vulnerable Leeds.
As they recovered from a shocking loss to Brentford prior to the World Cup, Pep Guardiola‘s team closed the gap to Arsenal at the top of the table to five points.
Haaland has scored 20 Premier League goals in just 14 games since joining City, but he was still dissatisfied after losing three one-on-one encounters against Illan Meslier.
According to Haaland, “I could’ve scored five, that’s the reality.”
“What matters most is that we win. We must pursue Arsenal, who are currently ranked first, but as a striker, I felt like I could have added a few more goals.
“That’s life; I need to work harder.”
To score the first goal, Kevin De Bruyne split the Leeds defense, and after Meslier parried a shot from Riyad Mahrez, Rodri swept the rebound into the goal.
Jack Grealish created the second, making up for his earlier errors with a deft interception and selfless pass that Haaland rolled into an open goal.
The City star refused to celebrate in recognition of his Leeds roots, but it did not stop him from scoring his second goal on the evening from another Grealish cutback.
Pascal Struijk’s header from a corner 17 minutes from time gave Leeds at least one goal to show for their efforts even though they remain precariously balanced at two points above the relegation zone.
