With their victory against Aston Villa in a game sentenced before the break (3-1), Manchester City closed in on leaders Arsenal before the clash between the two on Wednesday, while Manchester United, who won 2-0 in Leeds , consolidated his third position ahead of Newcastle, this Sunday in the 23rd round of the Premier League.
– City, in a hurry to sentence –
With three first-half goals, City easily disposed of the Unai Emery-led Birmingham club, with the worrying note of Erling Haaland being substituted at half-time.
With 48 points, the reigning champion is close to the ‘Gunners’ (51), who drew on Saturday (1-1) at home with Brentford and who they will visit in three days, although the Londoners have one game less.
Victim of an arbitration error recognized by the English instances -Brentford’s tie should have been annulled for offside- Arsenal will have to show character and react after three games without victory.
After several failed occasions to put pressure on Arsenal, such as the defeat against Tottenham last week (1-0), Pep Guardiola’s men came out focused and opened the scoring through the Spanish Rodri with a header from the first post in a corner.
A regular goalscorer, Haaland became a luxury assistant for Ilkay Güdogan at 2-0 (39) before stepping aside for the Algerian Riyad Mahrez to score a penalty in additional time in the first act (45+3). .
The Norwegian did not return from the locker room, but this substitution seems more like a precautionary measure 72 hours after what could be a decisive match for his league aspirations.
“Haaland had a blow, he was uncomfortable,” Guardiola explained. «With the 3-0 we don’t want to take risks. We will see and evaluate in the coming days. If he is not ready, we play with another one,” added the Catalan coach.
Despite Ollie Watkins’ goal on the hour (3-1), City controlled the game in the final stretch and reserved themselves for the series of crucial games that lie ahead on the domestic and continental scene.
– Match 400 De Gea –
And after the draw at two against the same rival on Wednesday (2-2), Manchester United took the three points this Sunday against Leeds (17th).
Erik Ten Hag’s men, who dominated the game overall, knew how to be patient until Marcus Rashford, with his 9th goal in the last ten games, finally headed past French goalkeeper Illan Meslier to put his team ahead team (80).
Shortly after, Wout Weghorst found Alejandro Garnacho in space and the 18-year-old Spanish-Argentinean extended the lead with his right foot (85) after a good individual play.
Leeds, still awaiting a long-term replacement for Jesse Marsch, held out and even forced goalkeeper David de Gea to work hard throughout the game.
The Spaniard, who became the first goalkeeper to reach 400 games in the Premier League this Sunday, was successful against attempts by Patrick Bamford and Crysencio Summerville in the first half.
He also shone in the saves against Summerville himself in the 47th and 78th minute, although United enjoyed the clearest chances.
Before going to the Camp Nou to face Barcelona in the Europa League on Thursday, Manchester United showed that they can be solid and effective despite the absence of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen. (AFP)
