Erling Haaland powered Manchester City to the top of the Premier League with a dominant 3-0 win over West Ham, while Chelsea staged a second-half recovery to earn a 2-2 draw at Newcastle on Saturday.
City’s victory, their seventh in a row in all competitions, piles the pressure on Arsenal, who can reclaim first place by beating Everton later. Pep Guardiola’s side moved one point clear at the summit as Haaland once again proved decisive.
West Ham feared the worst almost immediately. After just five minutes, Alphonse Areola saved Haaland’s initial effort, but the rebound fell kindly for the Norwegian, who rifled into the top corner.
Haaland then turned provider just before halftime, teeing up Tijjani Reijnders for his first goal at the Etihad Stadium. The Hammers squandered several chances to reduce the deficit early in the second half and remain stuck in the relegation zone.
By contrast, Haaland was ruthless. With 21 minutes remaining, the ball broke his way once more and he made no mistake, scoring his 38th goal of the season for club and country to seal the win.
Chelsea stay fourth after their draw at St James’ Park, a result that eased the pressure on manager Enzo Maresca amid speculation over his future.
The Blues had looked in trouble after Nick Woltemade’s double gave Newcastle a deserved 2-0 halftime lead. But a superb Reece James free kick sparked Chelsea’s comeback before Joao Pedro capitalised on a Malick Thiaw error to level the score.
Newcastle felt aggrieved late on as two penalty appeals, and calls for James to be sent off were waved away, leaving Eddie Howe’s side 11th in the table.
“My last week has been good,” said Maresca. “We beat Everton, beat Cardiff in the League Cup, and drew away at Newcastle. There are things we can improve, but we’re going in the right direction.”
Elsewhere, Liverpool aim to continue their revival without Mohamed Salah when they visit Tottenham later. The Reds are unbeaten in five matches after a dismal run of nine defeats in 12, but Salah’s departure for the Africa Cup of Nations removes a key attacking threat.
Victory would lift Liverpool into fifth. Spurs start the match in 13th, with Thomas Frank under growing pressure to deliver a rare home league win.
Wolves’ miserable season continued as they slipped closer to unwanted records. Keane Lewis-Potter scored twice in Brentford’s 2-0 win at Molineux, moving the Bees 10 points clear of the relegation zone.
Burnley halted a seven-game losing streak thanks to Armando Broja’s stoppage-time equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth. Antoine Semenyo, a January target for several top clubs had given the Cherries the lead, but Bournemouth are now winless in eight.
Sunderland climbed to fifth with a goalless draw at Brighton.
AFP
