Haaland Sets Record As Man City Beat Leeds

Erling Haaland became the fastest player to reach 20 Premier League goals as Manchester City defeated Leeds to reduce Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table to five points.

Disciplined and determined Leeds frustrated the away side for much of the first half at Elland Road thou City snatched the lead just before the break through Rodri’s follow-up finish.

Most efforts saved early in the game, Haaland – playing in the city of his birth against the side he supports – did not celebrate his goals but showed little mercy in securing them to bring up his impressive tally in just his 14th game of the campaign.

He could not miss for his first, set up in front of an open goal by the unselfish Jack Grealish, who himself had missed a hat-trick of good opportunities in the first 45 minutes.

Ruthless Haaland picks up where he left off
While 16 of his team-mates were competing for the World Cup in Qatar, Haaland was forced to watch on from afar, stewing on Norway’s failure to qualify and readying himself to take it out on the next opponents he faced.

The early signs were that Leeds might get a reprieve – not through any sentimentality towards his hometown club, whom he was reportedly almost joined as a teenager, but more a little competitive rustiness.

After the full-time whistle, he shared a hug and chat with Leeds boss Jesse Marsch and defender Rasmus Kristensen – former Red Bull Salzburg colleagues – while the home fans serenaded him chants of “you’re Leeds and you know you are”.

Lateefah Ibrahim