Manchester City have 83 points from 34 games - one point more than Liverpool who have also played the same number of matches.
Follow Us
Manchester City registered a crucial 4-0 victory over Leeds United in the Premier League to reclaim the top spot in the table. While the scoreline points to a comfortable victory, the match was anything but easy-going for City at Elland Road. The first was particularly difficult with the home side making life extremely difficult for the defending champions. Rodrigo scored the opener from a free-kick taken by Phil Foden. However, Manchester City were not able to extend the lead, as they had to see out a lot of pressure from the hosts to head into the break with a 1-0 lead. However, second-half goals from Nathan Ake and Gabriel Jesus helped the visitors take a healthy lead before Fernandinho sealed the deal in added time.
Meanwhile, Ilkay Gundogan was happy with the result, as he outlined how difficult it was for them, especially in the first half. The German midfielder was particularly happy with the way his team played in the second period. “It was a huge test, Leeds started with a lot of intensity and made our lives difficult,” he said after the match, as per his club’s website. “First goal helped us a lot but they were more than in the game in the first half. After the second goal, we were able to move the ball better, quicker and create more chances, at the end of the day it is a very good result for us.”
READ MORE – Newcastle United vs Liverpool: James Milner is role model, says Jurgen Klopp
The result helped City in a big way as they had gained two things from the match. First, they were able to reclaim the top spot in the Premier League table. Secondly, the big margin of victory allowed them to close the goal difference gap. Asked if it was tougher to play after their nearest rivals, Gundogan responded: “It’s always as tough as you make it for yourself. We are competitors, they are and we are, we need to be able to manage these situations. The pressure is always on and the responsibility is always there to win all the games, it looks like both teams might not struggle until the end. Every game is a final now.”
Meanwhile, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes their destiny is in their hands as the Premier League title race starts to heat up. City have 83 points from 34 games – one point more than Liverpool who have also played the same number of matches. In terms of goal difference, Pep’s side have 63 – one less than Liverpool’s 64. “It’s in our hands,” said Guardiola. “Wolves, Newcastle, West Ham and Aston Villa. We win (them all and) we will be champions – we drop points Liverpool will be champions. We know exactly what we need to do – win our games. Still it is a privilege and an honour to try win back to back titles and four Premier Leagues in five years. Right now it’s not too much complicated, they are going to win their games.”
Looking back at the 4-0 win over Leeds, Guardiola said, “We started really well but didn’t expect five in the back and we were surprised but after the goal we suffered a lot, we conceded transitions. But after second goal from Ake, we created a lot of chances and so ahead of the Champions League second leg, this is a really good result. I think the scoreline was more comfortable than it really was but I couldn’t expect differently. We tried to put away what happened against Real Madrid and focus on the Premier League, fighting. We responded so well, defended well – Aymeric, Ruben, Gundo were fantastic. Sterling was so aggressive. I try to involve everyone and they did really well.”
Manchester City vs Liverpool: Talking points from the action-packed draw
