Manchester City took the next step towards winning the Premier League title again with two goals from Ilkay Gundogan and had been in good form for a long time before the Champions League hit at Real Madrid.
The English soccer champions defeated Leeds United 2-1 (2-0) and, even without goals from striker Erling Haaland, extended their lead in the table to four points ahead of Arsenal with their tenth league win in a row after 34 games. On Tuesday, coach Pep Guardiola’s team will visit Real Madrid in the first leg of the semi-finals of the Champions League.
National player Gündogan scored the 2-0 half-time lead for the Cityzens with his goals five and six this season. The former Bundesliga professional made it 1-0 with a well-placed shot from around 15 meters after a pass from Riyad Mahrez (19th minute). Eight minutes later, Mahrez scored again, this time the 32-year-old hitting the left corner (27′). The ex-Dortmunder missed a possible third goal with a penalty kick. Gündogan’s attempt hit the post (84′). In return, Leeds was able to reduce the deficit to 1:2 through Rodrigo (85th), but City took the narrow lead over time.
Liverpool and Chelsea also win
Jürgen Klopp and Liverpool FC can continue to dream of the Champions League after their sixth win in a row. With a 1-0 (1-0) win over Brentford FC, the Reds were able to reduce the gap to Manchester United in fourth place to one point. However, the arch-rival has played two games fewer. Mohamed Salah scored the winning goal in the 13th minute. It was not only the 100th goal for the goalscorer at Anfield, he also drew level with club legend Steven Gerrard in all competitions with 186 goals.
Former Champions League winners Chelsea achieved their first win under returning coach Frank Lampard. After six previously unsuccessful games, the Blues won 3-1 (1-1) at AFC Bournemouth, but remain stuck in the middle of the league as eleventh in the table. Conor Gallagher (9th), Benoît Badiashile (82nd) and João Félix (86th) scored for international Kai Havertz’s team.
