Man City crush West Brom to grab Premier League lead

Sports Desk, Jan 26 (efe-epa).- Manchester City put on an exhibition Tuesday against West Bromwich Albion, winning 0-5 to leapfrog cross-town rivals Manchester United into first place in the Premier League.

Even without injured Kevin de Bruyne and Covid-19-positive Sergio Agüero, City were just too much for the Baggies, who have won just twice this season.

Ilkay Gündogan opened the scoring in the 6th minute and Joao Cancelo doubled the advantage for the visitors in the 20th minute on a goal that was not without controversy.

The line judge raised the offside flag during the sequence and several West Brom players stopped before Cancelo took his shot. The Baggies complained, but VAR determined that no offside infraction took place and the goal was confirmed.

Gündogan scored again at the half-hour mark and Riyad Mahrez made it 4-0 in first-half stoppage time. Raheem Sterling added a fifth goal in the 57th minute as City extended their winning streak to 12 matches in all competitions.

The victory lifted City to 41 points, one more than Man United, set to host last-place Sheffield United on Wednesday. West Brom are 19th in the table on 11 points, 6 points from safety.

Days after eliminating holders Arsenal from the FA Cup, Southampton hoped to make it two in a row against the Gunners and Stuart Armstrong got the Saints off to a promising start with a goal in the 3rd minute off a corner.

But the advantage endured only to the 8th minute, when Nicolas Pepe equalized for the visitors, who surged ahead in the 39th minute on a goal by Bukayo Saka, a key factor in the Gunners’ recent resurgence.

Saka went on to assist on Alexander Lacazette’s insurance goal in the 72nd minute and the final score was 1-3.

Arsenal climb to 8th place with 30 points. Southampton are 11th on 29 points.

Newcastle United were hoping for a positive result from Tuesday’s contest at St. James’ Park against Leeds United, who lost their last three games by a cumulative score of 7-0.

But the visiting side struck first, taking the lead in the 17th minute on a goal by Raphinha. Miguel Almiron brought the Magpies level in the 57th minute, only to see Jack Harrison get what proved to be the match-winner for the Whites four minutes later.

With a sixth consecutive defeat in all competitions, Newcastle are on their worst run of form in almost six years and calls for the firing of coach Steve Bruce are certain to grow louder.

Leeds move up to 12th with 26 points, while the Magpies are 16th, uncomfortable close to the drop zone, on 19 points.

West Ham United nipped Crystal Palace 2-3 in a London derby to slot into 4th place in the Premier League, a point ahead of defending champions Liverpool, though the Reds have a game in hand.

Wilfried Zaha put the hosts ahead in the 3rd minute, but the Hammers led 1-2 at the break on a brace by Tomas Soucek.

Craig Dawson scored in the 65th minute to give West Ham a two-goal advantage. Michy Batshuayi clawed one back for Palace in the dying moments of stoppage time.

The Hammers’ fourth straight Premier League victory was also their sixth win in all competitions since Jan. 1, the best start to a calendar year in the history of a club founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC.

Palace, with 23 points, are 13th in the table. EFE

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