UPDATE: In a thrilling match, Phil Foden stepped up for Manchester City, scoring two crucial goals to secure a 3-2 victory over Leeds United on July 15, 2023. With this win, City moves to second place in the Premier League, narrowing the gap to leaders Arsenal to just four points.
Foden’s first strike came just 59 seconds into the match, marking what was briefly the fastest goal of the season. He later sealed the win with a curling shot in stoppage time, demonstrating his vital role as Erling Haaland struggles with a scoring drought.
Haaland, who has not found the net in three consecutive matches, remains stuck on 99 goals in the Premier League. Manager Pep Guardiola expressed confidence that the Norway striker will reach the 100-goal milestone soon, stating, “He’ll do it next game.” The pressure is mounting as City has shown vulnerabilities, having suffered defeats against Newcastle and Bayer Leverkusen recently.
Leeds responded in the second half with goals from Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha, who rose through City’s academy. The match highlighted the frailties in City’s defense, raising concerns ahead of their next fixtures.
As Arsenal prepares to face Chelsea on Sunday, they could restore their seven-point lead over City, making every point crucial in the ongoing title race. Meanwhile, Foden’s performance could not have come at a better time, answering Guardiola’s call for others to share the scoring burden.
In other Premier League action, Newcastle’s Malick Thiaw briefly took the title for the season’s earliest goal with a header just 55 seconds into their match against Everton, which ended in a 4-1 victory for Newcastle. Everton’s consolation came from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
Across the league, Sunderland pulled off an impressive comeback to beat Bournemouth 3-2 at the Stadium of Light, showcasing the intense competition within the league.
As Haaland looks to regain his scoring touch, Brentford’s Igor Thiago is making headlines with his own scoring prowess, netting a penalty and another goal in their 3-1 win over Burnley, bringing his season total to nine goals.
With the Premier League race heating up, fans are eagerly watching as the drama unfolds. Stay tuned for further updates on Manchester City and the title chase!
