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Man City 7-0 Leeds: Premier League leaders go four points clear after attacking masterclass

By Chris BevanBBC Sport at Etihad Stadium

Last updated on .From the section Premier Leaguecomments1831

Jack Grealish heads home City's second goal
Grealish's goal was only his second in the Premier League since his £100m summer move from Aston Villa, and his first since 21 August

Manchester City tore Leeds apart with an attacking masterclass to increase their lead at the top of the Premier League to four points.

The defending champions were at their scintillating best as they racked up their biggest victory of the season and moved further clear of Liverpool and Chelsea, who both play on Thursday.

In truth, City could have had far more than their seven goals such was their total dominance and the ease they repeatedly ripped through the visitors' increasingly ragged defence.

Phil Foden opened the scoring after eight minutes, following up after Rodri's effort was saved - although Stuart Dallas should have done far better with his attempted goal-line clearance.

Foden's goal was City's 500th in the Premier League in 207 games under Pep Guardiola, with the Spaniard becoming the quickest manager to reach that landmark - the previous best was Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who took 234 matches.

It only took five minutes more before goal number 501 arrived, with Riyad Mahrez given time to bend in a cross from the right of the area for Jack Grealish to nod home a rare - for him - headed goal.

City did not stop coming forward and Kevin de Bruyne joined the party just after the half-hour mark, firing home from a Rodri pass for his first goal since mid-October.

That made sure of a seventh straight league win for Guardiola's men but they were in the mood to dish out more punishment against a side that took four points off them last season, and beat them here with 10 men.

The second half had barely started when Mahrez made it 4-0, with a low shot that deflected in off Junior Firpo, before De Bruyne made it five with the best goal of the night, a thunderous strike into the top corner from distance.

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

Leeds' fans were still singing at the final whistle but their defiance was not matched by their injury-hit side, who remain 15th after this demoralising defeat, and on the fringes of a relegation fight.

De Bruyne back at his best

Man City 7-0 Leeds: Pep Guardiola 'pleased and proud of his consistent side

Guardiola had said before kick-off that his players "knew they had to suffer" against a Leeds side led by his old mentor Bielsa, but this turned into an extremely enjoyable evening for the City boss.

As well as seeing his side sparkle for 90 minutes and score seven goals, there was a welcome return to goalscoring form for De Bruyne and Grealish.

Grealish's header was only his second league goal for City since his £100m summer move, and his first for the club since mid-September.

Illness and injury have meant De Bruyne has been below his best for most of this campaign but he showed his undoubted class here, notably with the unstoppable strike for his second goal.

The Belgian is still to register an assist in the Premier League this season - unusual for such a reliable creative force - but that statistic will surely not bother him much after a performance like this.

City have relied heavily on Bernardo Silva for attacking inspiration in recent weeks while waiting for Grealish to find his feet and when De Bruyne has struggled for full fitness, but this was a night when everyone shone.

Injured Phillips leaves a hole in Leeds' midfield

Man City 7-0 Leeds: There is nothing of value to take away from the game - Bielsa

Leeds, meanwhile, are left to lick their wounds because there were no positives for them to take away from a hammering like this.

They did at least trouble City goalkeeper Ederson a few times in the second half but by then the contest was already long over.

The fearless attacking play that saw them take three points here in April was nowhere to be seen, and the hole left by injured midfielder Kalvin Phillips was all too evident.

Bielsa and his players must regroup before they host Arsenal on Saturday evening, but it must be a worry for the Leeds manager that he does not appear to have many options to shuffle what is a slim-looking squad.

Player of the match

De BruyneKevin De Bruyne

with an average of 7.52

Manchester City

  1. Squad number17Player nameDe Bruyne
    Average rating

    7.52

  2. Squad number47Player nameFoden
    Average rating

    7.40

  3. Squad number20Player nameBernardo Silva
    Average rating

    7.14

  4. Squad number26Player nameMahrez
    Average rating

    7.07

  5. Squad number8Player nameGündogan
    Average rating

    7.04

  6. Squad number10Player nameGrealish
    Average rating

    7.03

  7. Squad number6Player nameAké
    Average rating

    6.99

  8. Squad number16Player nameRodri
    Average rating

    6.95

  9. Squad number25Player nameFernandinho
    Average rating

    6.86

  10. Squad number5Player nameStones
    Average rating

    6.79

  11. Squad number3Player nameRúben Dias
    Average rating

    6.76

  12. Squad number14Player nameLaporte
    Average rating

    6.60

  13. Squad number31Player nameEderson
    Average rating

    6.59

  14. Squad number11Player nameZinchenko
    Average rating

    6.54

Leeds United

  1. Squad number1Player nameMeslier
    Average rating

    4.93

  2. Squad number30Player nameGelhardt
    Average rating

    4.82

  3. Squad number10Player nameRaphinha
    Average rating

    4.63

  4. Squad number22Player nameHarrison
    Average rating

    4.50

  5. Squad number15Player nameDallas
    Average rating

    4.48

  6. Squad number2Player nameAyling
    Average rating

    4.45

  7. Squad number20Player nameJames
    Average rating

    4.43

  8. Squad number11Player nameRoberts
    Average rating

    4.40

  9. Squad number4Player nameForshaw
    Average rating

    4.39

  10. Squad number46Player nameShackleton
    Average rating

    4.36

  11. Squad number43Player nameKlich
    Average rating

    4.29

  12. Squad number14Player nameLlorente
    Average rating

    4.27

  13. Squad number37Player nameDrameh
    Average rating

    4.25

  14. Squad number3Player nameFirpo
    Average rating

    3.99

Line-ups

Man City

Formation 4-2-3-1

  • 31Ederson
  • 5Stones
  • 3Rúben DiasBooked at 40minsSubstituted forAkéat 65'minutes
  • 14Laporte
  • 11Zinchenko
  • 16RodriSubstituted forFernandinhoat 56'minutes
  • 20Bernardo SilvaSubstituted forGündoganat 45'minutes
  • 26Mahrez
  • 17De Bruyne
  • 10Grealish
  • 47Foden

Substitutes

  • 6Aké
  • 7Sterling
  • 8Gündogan
  • 9Gabriel Jesus
  • 13Steffen
  • 25Fernandinho
  • 56Egan-Riley
  • 80Palmer
  • 97Wilson-Esbrand

Leeds

Formation 4-2-3-1

  • 1Meslier
  • 46ShackletonSubstituted forKlichat 38'minutes
  • 2Ayling
  • 14Llorente
  • 3FirpoBooked at 20minsSubstituted forDramehat 73'minutes
  • 15Dallas
  • 4Forshaw
  • 10Raphinha
  • 11Roberts
  • 22Harrison
  • 20JamesSubstituted forGelhardtat 45'minutes

Substitutes

  • 13Klaesson
  • 30Gelhardt
  • 35Cresswell
  • 37Drameh
  • 38Summerville
  • 42Greenwood
  • 43Klich
  • 45McCarron
  • 47Jenkins
Referee:
Paul Tierney
Attendance:
52,401

Match Stats

Home TeamMan CityAway TeamLeeds
Possession
Home64%
Away36%
Shots
Home31
Away6
Shots on Target
Home15
Away3
Corners
Home6
Away2
Fouls
Home5
Away9

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Manchester City 7, Leeds United 0.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Manchester City 7, Leeds United 0.

  3. Post update

    Attempt missed. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Riyad Mahrez.

  4. Post update

    Foul by Fernandinho (Manchester City).

  5. Post update

    Tyler Roberts (Leeds United) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  6. Post update

    Attempt missed. Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City) left footed shot from outside the box is too high.

  7. Post update

    Attempt saved. Ilkay Gündogan (Manchester City) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Aymeric Laporte.

  8. Post update

    Attempt missed. Mateusz Klich (Leeds United) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Jack Harrison.

  9. Post update

    Attempt saved. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.

  10. Post update

    Fernandinho (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  11. Post update

    Foul by Mateusz Klich (Leeds United).

  12. Post update

    Attempt saved. Jack Harrison (Leeds United) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Cody Drameh.

  13. Post update

    Attempt missed. Phil Foden (Manchester City) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Fernandinho.

  14. Post update

    Corner, Leeds United. Conceded by Nathan Aké.

  15. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Phil Foden (Manchester City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Kevin De Bruyne.

  16. Goal!

    Goal! Manchester City 7, Leeds United 0. Nathan Aké (Manchester City) header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Phil Foden with a cross following a corner.

  17. Post update

    Corner, Manchester City. Conceded by Diego Llorente.

  18. Goal!

    Goal! Manchester City 6, Leeds United 0. John Stones (Manchester City) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the right to the high centre of the goal following a set piece situation.

  19. Post update

    Attempt saved. John Stones (Manchester City) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the centre of the goal.

  20. Post update

    Attempt saved. Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Fernandinho with a cross.

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1831 comments

  • Comment posted by AndyB_MOT, at 21:59 14 Dec 2021

    I think it was the sixth goal that killed us. We might've had a chance before then...

    • Reply posted by The Spin Doctor, at 22:03 14 Dec 2021

      The Spin Doctor replied:
      Leeds got a right royal spanking. Their rears will be red well into the new year.

  • Comment posted by liverpool supporter right here, at 22:03 14 Dec 2021

    It was great to see the City fans singing songs about Aguero tonight after hearing about him retiring from football

    • Reply posted by M16 YSB, at 22:07 14 Dec 2021

      M16 YSB replied:
      That was about all we heard from the plastics.

  • Comment posted by Fedup, at 21:59 14 Dec 2021

    City now on 41 points and should be safe from relagation!

    • Reply posted by liverpool supporter right here, at 22:01 14 Dec 2021

      liverpool supporter right here replied:
      Chelsea and Liverpool just need one more win to be safe as well😆

  • Comment posted by will, at 21:59 14 Dec 2021

    Something special about that Phil Foden… what a player

    • Reply posted by liverpool supporter right here, at 22:00 14 Dec 2021

      liverpool supporter right here replied:
      Hey guys. Can you imagine how many more goals Man City would have scored tonight if they had a striker

  • Comment posted by Steve from Leeds, at 22:02 14 Dec 2021

    Well unfortunately no real surprise here with a billion pound team against a injury hit 50 million pound team . Great fans though at Leeds , always singing , onto the next game .Great goals by city and a lovely team to watch .

    • Reply posted by Specialist_in_tailoring, at 22:03 14 Dec 2021

      Specialist_in_tailoring replied:
      £2 Billion mate

  • Comment posted by Dostoyevsky, at 22:00 14 Dec 2021

    Liverpool are a good side, as are Chelsea. But like three of the last four years, City are just that bit better.
    Sublime again tonight when they play their true first 11.

    • Reply posted by The Spin Doctor, at 22:05 14 Dec 2021

      The Spin Doctor replied:
      After this display, Leeds should do the honourable thing and voluntarily drop down a division.

  • Comment posted by kippax, at 22:07 14 Dec 2021

    Bielsa’s wife will wake him up tomorrow morning saying “Marcelo, it’s 8!”
    Bielsa will say “They’ve not scored again have they?”

    • Reply posted by Specialist_in_tailoring, at 22:14 14 Dec 2021

      Specialist_in_tailoring replied:
      Lol. His wife should buy him a DVD of the film Seven for xmas 😂🤣

  • Comment posted by Markt66 , at 21:59 14 Dec 2021

    Man City are the best team in the League by a country mile . Let’s see how many jealous haters come in here tonight . The City is Blue

    • Reply posted by Mr Disengaged, at 22:03 14 Dec 2021

      Mr Disengaged replied:
      Country mile is an understatement

  • Comment posted by Dont mind me, at 21:58 14 Dec 2021

    City edged it.

    • Reply posted by Sport Report, at 22:05 14 Dec 2021

      Sport Report replied:
      Leeds made the elementary mistake of scoring fewer goals than their opponents

  • Comment posted by JayDenner, at 21:58 14 Dec 2021

    An absolute mauling - City were fantastic. 31 shots with 16 on target says it all!

    • Reply posted by Specialist_in_tailoring, at 22:01 14 Dec 2021

      Specialist_in_tailoring replied:
      Pep, how could you do that to your mentor? HOW COULD YOU?

  • Comment posted by kaveh2303, at 21:59 14 Dec 2021

    When fit and on form, there's no denying De Bruyne is the best passer and midfielder in world football, and top 5 players in the Premier League. Unbelievable player!

    • Reply posted by Sport Report, at 22:10 14 Dec 2021

      Sport Report replied:
      I bet one of the other top clubs is wishing they'd got their hands on him first, eh?

  • Comment posted by Onlyhereforthebeer, at 21:59 14 Dec 2021

    Come on now, we didn’t expect to get anything…with kids on the bench there wasn’t anything that would change it. Hope city win the title…better them than the others in contention

    • Reply posted by Onlyhereforthebeer, at 22:02 14 Dec 2021

      Onlyhereforthebeer replied:
      Oh but we won the singing…yay !

  • Comment posted by Samera, at 22:17 14 Dec 2021

    Stop hating City and just appreciate the football they are playing. Another excellent performance. 10/10

    • Reply posted by it makes sense, at 00:37 15 Dec 2021

      it makes sense replied:
      Their football would be a lot easier to appreciate if I didn't know how they cheated their way to where they are now.

  • Comment posted by Tom Pain, at 22:03 14 Dec 2021

    When City go big, the common factor is usually that Sterling doesn't play. SPOTY nominee for 3 tap-ins in the Euros.

    • Reply posted by Groucho2nd, at 22:13 14 Dec 2021

      Groucho2nd replied:
      Agreed. How on earth is he on that list?

  • Comment posted by balgo biggins, at 22:07 14 Dec 2021

    Loathed to say it. But city are easy on the eye.

    -United fan

    • Reply posted by malcolm, at 22:08 14 Dec 2021

      malcolm replied:
      And minted…..

  • Comment posted by bardwolf, at 22:06 14 Dec 2021

    Just reflects how well wolves defended Saturday.

    • Reply posted by The Winslow Boy, at 22:26 14 Dec 2021

      The Winslow Boy replied:
      I was going to say exactly the same. They needed a dodgy penalty to get the W and 3pts.

  • Comment posted by Footballfan, at 22:02 14 Dec 2021

    Hammering Leeds even without many key players is still a statement win. Respect for the Leeds fans who kept on singing until the end. 2018-19 title race part 2?

    • Reply posted by Sport Report, at 22:26 14 Dec 2021

      Sport Report replied:
      The PL now has a Big 3, not a Big 6