Los Angeles (AFP) – David Villa scored twice to lift New York City FC to a 2-0 victory over the Dynamo in Houston on Friday and into first place in the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference.

City are now two points ahead of the Toronto FC, with the top two clubs in each conference to go straight into the MLS Cup playoff semi-finals.

Villa notched his 20th goal of the season in the 52nd minute, receiving the ball from a corner kick from Italian midfielder Andrea Pirlo, making space and smashing a short angled shot into the net.

The Spanish striker added a goal in injury time and now has 21, one ahead of Bradley Wright-Phillips of the New York Red Bulls for the Golden Boot.