Manchester City moved back up to the second place and trimmed the advantage on leaders Arsenal to five points with a convincing 3-1 victory at Elland Road thanks to two goals from Erling Haaland, who scored twice on his return to Leeds to become the fastest player to 20 Premier League goals.
The Norwegian, who was born in Leeds in 2000 while his father Alfe-Inge was a player for the Whites, 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. Kevin Phillips, the previous record holder, needed 21 games; this is seven games less time.
These were Grealish’s first assists of the year, and they came after his own finishing in the final third was in the spotlight due to a series of squandered 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 was taught by Leeds manager Jesse Marsch at RB Salzburg earlier in his career, but like so many other Premier League managers this year, Marsch was unable to find a method to contain the productive frontman. Haaland has now scored 26 goals overall in all games played in City colors.
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.
They gain momentum in their Premier League championship defense ahead of a crucial stretch of games, while Leeds remain in 15th place, only two points above the relegation zone with a game remaining against third-place Wolves.