Hard-charging Ilkay Gundogan scored two goals that were quite similar to each other to lead Manchester City to a 2-1 victory against Leeds United on Saturday. With this victory, City extended their unbeaten streak in the Premier League to 10 games and moved four points ahead of Arsenal at the top of the standings.
Erling Haaland, a prolific scorer for City, showed great sportsmanship by passing the ball to Ilkay Gundogan in the 84th minute so that Gundogan could take a penalty kick for what would have been a hat trick, but Leeds goalkeeper Joel Robles easily blocked Gundogan’s attempt.
Gundogan scored the game-winning goal for City in the 19th minute from the edge of the 18-yard box after receiving a feed from Riyad Mahrez. Prior to that, City had run circles around Leeds and created multiple quality scoring opportunities. In a repeat of the play that resulted in Gundogan’s first goal, Mahrez set up Gundogan eight minutes later.
In the 85th minute, Rodrigo Moreno scored a goal for Leeds to bring them closer. Pep Guardiola’s team now sit atop the Premier League standings with 82 points, eight more than Arsenal’s 78. If Arsenal suffer a defeat at the hands of Newcastle on Sunday, City will have effectively clinched their third consecutive league championship.
Leeds, who are playing their first game under temporary manager Sam Allardyce, who was parachuted in as a last-ditch effort to prevent relegation, are wobbling in 17th place, and all three clubs below them have a game in hand. Leeds are playing their first game under Sam Allardyce. Sam Allardyce was parachuted in as a last-ditch effort to avoid relegation.