Ilkay Gundogan shoots Manchester City to victory over Leeds

It can also be done without Haaland: Manchester City’s Norwegian striker remains goalless against Leeds United, but Ilkay Gündogan becomes the match winner – but loses a hat-trick himself.

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) on Saturday.

Even without a goal from striker Erling Haaland, City extended their league lead 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 (9 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the Champions League and on Prime Video).

Two goals in eight minutes

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 hit the left corner (27′). The former Dortmund player missed a possible third goal with a penalty kick: Gündogan’s attempt hit the post (84th). In return, Leeds was able to reduce the deficit to 1:2 through Rodrigo (85th), but City took the narrow lead over time.

Former Champions League winners Chelsea meanwhile achieved their first victory under returning coach Frank Lampard. After six previously unsuccessful games, the Blues won 3-1 (1-1) at AFC Bournemouth, but ended up eleventh in the middle of the league. Conor Gallagher (9th), Benoît Badiashile (82nd) ​​and João Félix (86th) scored for international Kai Havertz’s team.