(Football news) Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City moved four points clear of 2nd place Liverpool (having played a game more) with an emphatic 7-0 win against Leeds United at the Etihad Stadium. Pep Guardiola’s team put up a relentless display by creating chance after chance and the score could have easily been more than seven had City been more clinical in front of goal. Marcelo Bielsa’s side heaved a sigh of relief during the opening stages of the match when Bernardo Silva failed to hit the target but their happiness was short lived as Phil Foden opened the scoring with the next attack in the 8th minute after Rodri’s attempt was blocked by Meslier and the 21 year old midfielder capitalized on the loose ball to score City’s 500th goal under Pep Guardiola.

Five minutes later, City doubled their advantage when De Bruyne shot was deflected for a corner which was not dealt with properly as Mahrez sent a curling ball back into the box and Jack Grealish headed past Meslier in the 13th minute. Leeds had a penalty shout denied by the VAR for handball against Oleksandr Zinchenko as City continued their sublime performance with De Bruyne scoring the third goal in the 32nd minute after a Rodri assist. The reigning champions scored their fourth just four minutes into the second half as Riyad Mahrez found himself on the scoresheet when his shot deflected in off Junior Firpo at the 49th minute.

Marcelo Bielsa’s team almost scored a consolation goal when Dallas hit the post after which it was business as usual for City with Ilkay Gundogan firing his shot wide while Phil Foden’s close range finish was ruled offside. However, Kevin De Bruyne, who made his first Premier League start since November 6th scored City’s fifth goal in the 62nd minute with a ferocious shot that flew into the roof of the net. John Stones made it six in the 74th minute following a corner before Nathan Ake scored the seventh and final goal of the match four minutes later to secure a comfortable three points.

Meanwhile at Carrow Road, Norwich City manager Dean Smith was reunited with his former club Aston Villa who defeated the hosts 2-0. Academy graduate Jacob Ramsey opened the scoring in the 34th minute for Steven Gerrard’s team while substitute Carney Chukwuemeka gave the assist for Ollie Watkins who converted from close range in the 87th minute to ensure a well deserved victory. Norwich City looked toothless throughout the match with their only real opportunity falling to Kenny McLean who failed to take advantage of Ashley Young’s short back pass. With this result, Norwich City remain 20th in the Premier League with 10 points, three points away from safety while Aston Villa are 9th in the table.

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