Download
Haaland scores twice as Man City cruise past Leeds
CGTN
Manchester City's Norwegian striker Erling Haaland (R) celebrates scoring his team's second goal with teammates during the  English Premier League game against Leeds United in Leeds, UK, December 28, 2022. /CFP
Manchester City's Norwegian striker Erling Haaland (R) celebrates scoring his team's second goal with teammates during the English Premier League game against Leeds United in Leeds, UK, December 28, 2022. /CFP

Manchester City's Norwegian striker Erling Haaland (R) celebrates scoring his team's second goal with teammates during the English Premier League game against Leeds United in Leeds, UK, December 28, 2022. /CFP

Erling Haaland continued his incredible season in front of the goal with a double, to help Manchester City cruise to a 3-1 victory against Leeds United on Wednesday, ensuring the champions closed the gap to Premier League leaders Arsenal to five points.

Norwegian Haaland spent his early years in Yorkshire, where Leeds is located, as his father Alfe Inge played for Leeds, but showed no mercy as City got their title challenge back on track.

Kevin De Bruyne opened up the Leeds defence for the opener and when Riyad Mahrez's shot was parried by Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier, Rodri then swept the rebound into the net.

Jack Grealish made some amends for his earlier misses by creating the second with a smart interception and unselfish pass for Haaland to roll into an empty net.

Jack Grealish of Manchester City celebrates after assisting his side's second goal scored by Erling Haaland during the  English Premier League game against Leeds United in Leeds, UK, December 28, 2022. /CFP
Jack Grealish of Manchester City celebrates after assisting his side's second goal scored by Erling Haaland during the English Premier League game against Leeds United in Leeds, UK, December 28, 2022. /CFP

Jack Grealish of Manchester City celebrates after assisting his side's second goal scored by Erling Haaland during the English Premier League game against Leeds United in Leeds, UK, December 28, 2022. /CFP

Haaland now has 20 Premier League goals in just 14 appearances since joining City, but was still left unsatisfied after failing to beat Meslier with three one-on-ones.

"I could've scored five, that's the truth," Haaland said, "...You see Arsenal at the top now, we have to hunt them, but for me as a striker, I could've scored a couple more."

Leeds defender Pascal Struijk headed one home with 17 minutes left which was not enough to reverse the result. Leeds stay 15th, two points clear of the relegation zone.

Paris Saint-Germain's French forward Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring a penalty during the French L1 football match against Racing Strasbourg in Paris, France, December 28, 2022. /CFP
Paris Saint-Germain's French forward Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring a penalty during the French L1 football match against Racing Strasbourg in Paris, France, December 28, 2022. /CFP

Paris Saint-Germain's French forward Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring a penalty during the French L1 football match against Racing Strasbourg in Paris, France, December 28, 2022. /CFP

Meanwhile in Ligue 1, Paris St Germain star Kylian Mbappe scored the winning penalty on his return to action from the World Cup, securing a 2-1 victory against Racing Strasbourg, even though they were reduced to 10 men midway through the second half after Neymar was sent off for two yellow cards.

(With input from agencies)

Search Trends