Haaland nets brace in Man City win over Leeds

Manchester City beat Leeds United 3-1 on Wednesday thanks to goals from Erling Haaland and Rodri. Haaland is certainly familiar with the home side as he was born in Leeds when his father played for the club. The Norwegian is also well aware of the Leeds manager. Jesse Marsch previously coached Haaland during a spell at RB Salzburg.

Prior to the game, Marsch claimed that his former player texted him about the reunion. The American coach even joked that he asked Haaland to be injured ahead of Wednesday’s fixture. After all, the Norway international has terrorized practically every team that he has faced this season. However, Haaland played and netted a brace against his former coach.

Opening goal came seconds before halftime

While the Premier League’s leading scorer grabbing goals was not exactly surprising, City’s first goal came from an unlikely source. Defensive midfielder Rodri gave the reigning champions the lead only seconds before the halftime whistle. The Spain international slotted home a rebound from a Riyad Mahrez shot in the 45th minute. It was Rodri’s first goal of the season in any competition.

Haaland needed just six minutes in the second half to put his name on the scoresheet. It would turn out to be one of the easiest goalscoring chances of the season for the striker. Leeds defender Liam Cooper gave the ball away straight to Jack Grealish in the middle of the pitch. The midfielder then eventually squared a simple pass to Haaland to double City’s lead.

Haaland keeps up record scoring pace as City pounds Leeds

Grealish picked up his second assist in 13 minutes when Haaland converted a shot from short range to make it 3-0. Haaland’s brace means that he now has an astounding 20 goals in just 14 Premier League games. He is on pace to obliterate the top flight’s record for goals in a 38-game season.

The hosts were able to get a goal back late in the second half. Pascal Struijk’s header snuck by Ederson from a corner kick to make it 3-1. However, that’s all Leeds were able to muster going forward.

City needed the victory on Wednesday to keep pace with league leaders Arsenal. The Gunners are now five points clear of City, but the two teams face each other twice before the current campaign ends.

PHOTO: IMAGO / Propaganda Photo