Premier League: Man City, Man United record impressive wins to close gap on Arsenal
Manchester City have returned to winning ways courtesy of a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium this evening.
Looking to bounce back from a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur last time out, City kicked off the contest on the front foot and opened the scoring in the fourth minute thanks to Rodri’s near-post header from a Riyad Mahrez corner.
Buoyed by their early opener, Pep Guardiola’s men continued to take control of proceedings as they came close to doubling their lead through Ilkay Gundogan but for an excellent save from Emiliano Martinez.
City would eventually put the ball in the net for a second time, only for Gundogan to see his strike chalked off for Erling Braut Haaland’s foul on Martinez in the buildup to the goal.
Following a sub-par start to the game, Kevin De Bruyne burst into life just shy of the half-hour mark when he skipped past a couple of challenges before teeing up Jack Grealish, who was denied a goal against his former side by Martinez.
As the match neared its midway point, Villa would prove to be the architects of their own downfall as a Calum Chambers error allowed Haaland to play in Gundogan to finish from close range.
Despite the added security of now having a two-goal lead, City were not resting on their laurels yet and deservingly grabbed a third thanks to Mahrez’s well-taken penalty after Grealish had been clumsily brought down in the box by Boubacar Kamara.
Seemingly in cruise control of the game at this point, Guardiola opted to take off Haaland and Ruben Dias at half time, although the former was believed to have come off with a thigh problem.
City were unable to replicate their fine start to the first half in the second period as they understandably took one foot off the gas.
However, the reigning Premier League champions were given a stern reality check moments after the hour mark with a lapse in concentration from Bernardo Silva capitalised upon by Douglas Luiz in midfield, before the Brazilian released Ollie Watkins to score his third goal in as many matches.
Watkins’s goal set the tone for the rest of the match as Villa remained keen not to go down without a whimper.
On as a substitute, Philippe Coutinho came close to setting up a frenetic finale but his cross-cum-shot was tipped over by Ederson.
As Villa pressed forward in search of a goal, City sprung down the other end and should have put the final nail in the coffin through Mahrez, who blazed over from point-blank range.
That proved to be the final meaningful action of the game as Man City cut the gap at the top of the Premier League table to three points ahead of Wednesday’s crunch clash against division leaders Arsenal.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, have now lost consecutive league matches for the first time since the appointment of Unai Emery, which has seen them fall seven points behind Fulham in the race for a European spot.
Late goals from Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho guide Manchester United to a 2-0 victory over Leeds United at Elland Road.
Four days after the two sides were involved in a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford, Crysencio Summerville and Bruno Fernandes had two chances apiece to give their respective sides the lead in the first half, but they were ultimately unable to do so.
Although the score remained goalless for the majority of the contest, opportunities continue to arise, with Diogo Dalot striking the woodwork in the second half.
However, just as it seemed both sides would have to be content with a point, Rashford broke the deadlock with a well-taken header, before Garnacho scored his second Premier League goal to make sure of the three points.
The Red Devils into second place – above their local rivals Manchester City, who reclaim the position with a draw or better against Aston Villa – while a managerless Leeds side remain just a point outside the relegation zone.
Leeds, who are still searching for Jesse Marsch’s successor, took the lead within the opening minute against Man United on Wednesday, and while they were unable to find an early breakthrough this time around, they made another impressive start.
Patrick Bamford was denied by David de Gea from close-range, and Summerville spurned a promising opportunity from the resulting rebound, powering his effort over the bar.
After being caught off guard by Leeds’ fast start, the visitors managed to create an opening in the 20th minute, but Fernandes dragged his effort harmlessly wide.
As it proved, Summerville and Fernandes were presented with a chance apiece just before the break.
The Leeds winger was thwarted by the Man United goalkeeper, while Fernandes seemed destined to give his side the advantage when he intercepted Maximilian Wober’s sloppy pass, but the right leg of Illan Meslier ensured the score remained goalless.
With 15 minutes to recharge their batteries, Leeds surged out of the gates in the second half, and once again Summerville was the individual involved.
After receiving the ball from Tyler Adams on the edge of the box, the Dutchman let fly from the edge of the box, drawing a smart save from De Gea.
Leeds kept surging forward in an attempt to find the opener, with Jack Harrison and Luke Ayling firing wide in quick succession.
Erik ten Hag’s side began to recompose themselves following a spell of Leeds dominance, and they went agonisingly close to finding the net through an unlikely source.
Dalot collected the ball just outside Leeds’ penalty area, and he unleashed a thunderous effort, which crashed off the crossbar.
As the clock tickets over into the 80th minute, the visitors finally found a path to goal, as Rashford found space between the Leeds’ defence to head home from Luke Shaw’s inch-perfect cross.
Rashford’s 12th Premier League goal of the season knocked the win out of Leeds’ sails, and with their opponents rocking, Man United quickly added a second.
After coming off the bench, Garnacho drove purposely into the box from the left flank, before slotting the ball past Meslier.
There was still time for Rashford and Wout Weghorst to have goals chalked off for offside, but those disallowed efforts would not have dampened Man United’s spirits, as they stretch their unbeaten run to six games in all competitions.
Next up for the Red Devils is a difficult trip to Camp Nou on Thursday where they will face La Liga leaders Barcelona in the first leg of their Europa League play-off tie.
Leeds, meanwhile, will hope to have a new permanent manager installed by the time they face relegation rivals Everton on Saturday.
