EPL:Man City 7-0 Leeds United; Champions move four points clear
Manchester City issued a ruthless reminder of their title credentials as the champions demolished Leeds United 7-0 to claim a seventh successive win and move four points clear at the top of the Premier League.
City were two up inside 13 minutes after Phil Foden’s opener – the 500th Premier League goal of Pep Guardiola’s City reign – found the net after Stuart Dallas’ woeful goal-line clearance attempt, before Jack Grealish added a quickfire second with his maiden Premier League header.
Leeds’ depleted defensive line and questionable tactics continued to be put to the sword as Kevin De Bruyne, on his first league start since November 6, sealed a masterful first-half display with an unerring third just after the half-hour.
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The goals continued to flow in the second half as Riyad Mahrez’s deflected fourth and a stunning thunderbolt from De Bruyne made it five, before late efforts from John Stones and Nathan Ake put the seal on a statement victory which shifts the pressure onto City’s title rivals Chelsea and Liverpool, who both play on Thursday.
Leeds won on their last visit to the Etihad Stadium but the nature of this chastening defeat, irrespective of the defensive injury crisis currently engulfing the club, raises fresh concerns over Marcelo Bielsa, his players, and their ability to navigate this survival battle they find themselves in.
Leeds United suffered the joint-heaviest defeat in their history as a Football League/Premier League club in all competitions, alongside seven-goal defeats to Stoke (1-8 in Aug 1934), West Ham (0-7 in Nov 1966) and Arsenal (0-7 in Sep 1979).
It was also the first time boss Marcelo Bielsa had conceded seven goals in a single match in his 568-game club management career.
