Leeds 1 – 3 Man City

Erling Haaland struck twice on his return to Leeds to become the fastest-ever player to reach 20 Premier League goals, as Manchester City moved back up to second and narrowed the gap on leaders Arsenal to five points with a dominant 3-1 win at Elland Road.

The Norwegian was born in Leeds in 2000 when his father Alfe-Inge was playing for the Whites and, with something of an inevitability, tucked in Jack Grealish’s square pass six minutes into the second half before adding another from the same provider on 64 minutes.

The Premier League’s top scorer has hit the 20-goal landmark in just 14 games since joining from Borussia Dortmund in the summer. That’s seven games quicker than previous record-holder Kevin Phillips, who needed 21. He would have had his fourth hat-trick of the season, too, but for a late stop from Illan Meslier.

Those assists from Grealish were his first of the season and came after his own finishing in the final third was brought into focus following a string of missed chances in the first half. But Rodri’s opener (45+1) moments before the break rewarded City’s supremacy and when Haaland hit the net twice in 13 minutes there was only going to be one outcome.

Leeds boss Jesse Marsch had coached Haaland at RB Salzburg earlier in his career but, like so many Premier League managers this season, could find no way to keep the prolific frontman at bay. That’s 26 strikes in total now for Haaland across all competitions in City colours.

Leeds had lost by an aggregate score of 11-0 to Man City over the course of their Premier League meetings last season and another heavy defeat looked on the cards before Pascal Struijk pulled one back with 16 minutes to play. They went close to a second, too, when Joe Gelhardt’s shot dribbled just wide. But there was to be no denying Haaland or Man City.

Their Premier League title defence is boosted ahead of a key run of games, while Leeds stay 15th, just two points above the relegation zone with game in hand on third-bottom Wolves.

More to follow…

What’s next?

Manchester City host Everton on New Year’s Eve in a 3pm kick-off, when Leeds take on Newcastle at St James’ Park.