Manchester City moved within five points of Premier League leaders Arsenal with a 3-1 win over Leeds United on Wednesday evening.
Goalkeeper Ederson Moraes, 18-year-old Rico Lewis and Jack Grealish picked out City's eleven from the win over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, with World Cup winner Julian Alvarez still unavailable.
Erling Haaland nearly handed City the perfect start seconds in from a snap shot off Nathan Ake's ball, but it was scooped from goal-line by the defence.
The reigning champions enjoyed the early possession stakes which caused Leeds to hold their lines and guard against the penetrative balls by midfield talisman Kevin De Bruyne.
However, the Belgian still threaded balls with relative ease in behind on the half-hour mark where Haaland went level with Illan Meslier before the shot-stopper parried the forward.
De Bruyne caused more trouble after his pass to Rodri rolled to Riyad Mahrez who then decided to get a shot in which Meslier parried only for a certain Rodri to turn in the follow-up on the strike of halftime.
Haaland doubled the Citizens lead six minutes into the second half when Grealish gained possession and went clean through before teeing up the Norwegian to tap in easily.
Grealish combined yet again with Haaland midway in the second period as a one-two between the duo saw the forward drill beyond Meslier for his 20th league goal of the season.
Leeds managed to pull one back around the last 15 minutes through an instinctive finish from Pascal Struijk following a corner-kick, while Grealish made way for Phil Foden.
Haaland though could've had a hat-trick a few minutes later from a one-on-one with Meslier, but had the ball stuck under his feet though the Citizens emerged convincing victors in the end.
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
Click here to register: Sign In