Premier League: Manchester City at top, thrashes Leeds United 7-0

The current champions were at their best as they recorded their greatest win of the season and extended their lead over Liverpool and Chelsea, both of whom play on Thursday.

Manchester-City Leeds-United Premier-League
Manchester City's absolute dominance and ease with which they ripped through the visitors' increasingly weary defence might have resulted in considerably more than their seven goals.

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After Rodri's strike was saved, Phil Foden scored the scoring after eight minutes, although Stuart Dallas' attempted goal-line clearing could have been significantly better.

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Foden's strike was City's 500th Premier League goal in 207 games under Pep Guardiola, making him the fastest manager to achieve that milestone – the previous record was Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who took 234 games.


It took just five minutes for goal number 501 to come, with Riyad Mahrez being afforded time to curve in a cross from the right side of the box for Jack Grealish to nod in a rare headed goal for him.

City continued to press forward, and Kevin de Bruyne entered the fray soon after the half-hour mark, converting a Rodri ball for his first goal since mid-October.

Guardiola's team had won seven straight league games, but they were hungry for further revenge against a team who had taken four points from them last season and had beaten them with ten men here.

Mahrez made it 4-0 with a low shot that deflected in off Junior Firpo just seconds into the second half, before De Bruyne made it five with the greatest goal of the night, a powerful strike into the top corner from distance.

After Aymeric Laporte's header was saved, John Stones made it six at the second attempt, and there was no relief for Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier as Nathan Ake headed in City's seventh from a Foden corner.

Leeds fans were still singing at the last whistle, but their tenacity was not matched due to injuries, who are now 15th in the table and on the verge of relegation.


Guardiola had stated before the game that his players "knew they had to suffer" against a Leeds team headed by his former mentor Bielsa, but the City manager had a fantastic evening.

In addition to witnessing his team shine for 90 minutes and score seven goals, De Bruyne and Grealish both scored, which was a nice return to goalscoring form.

Grealish's strike was only his second league goal for City since joining for £100 million in the summer, and his first since mid-September.


De Bruyne had been out for much of the season due to illness and injuries, but he showed his unquestionable brilliance here, particularly with his thunderous shot for his second goal.

The Belgian has yet to register an assist in the Premier League this season, which is rare for such a consistent creative force, but with a performance like this, that statistic will definitely not disturb him.

While waiting for Grealish to find his feet and De Bruyne to regain full health, City have depended largely on Bernardo Silva for attacking inspiration in recent weeks, but this was a night when everyone shined.

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