Man City pound Leeds to reclaim Premier League lead

Sports Desk, Apr 30 (EFE).- Manchester City romped 4-0 over Leeds United on Saturday to take back the top spot in the Premier League hours after Liverpool nosed ahead of the defending champions.

City improved to 83 points, 1 better than the Reds. Leeds remain 17th, 5 points ahead of Everton, who have two games in hand as they fight to avoid relegation.

Looking ahead to next week’s Champions League semifinal second leg with Real Madrid, City coach Pep Guardiola opted to start the match at Elland Road with the likes of Kevin de Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez on the bench.

Rodri opened the scoring for the visitors in the 13th minute, getting his head to Phil Foden’s free kick.

The second City goal also came on a set piece, a corner transformed by Nathan Ake in the 54th minute with help from Ruben Dias.

Gabriel Jesus made it 3-0 in the 78th and Fernandinho added a goal in stoppage time.

Naby Keita’s first-half goal proved to be enough for Liverpool to come away from St. James’ Park with a 1-0 victory over Newcastle United in Saturday’s early match.

Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp rested several starters, including Trent Alexander-Arnold, Thiago Alcantara and Mohamed Salah, with an eye on Tuesday’s second leg of the Champions League semifinal against Villarreal.

But Salah and Alcantara would enter the game about midway through the second half.

Newcastle ended the day in 10th place with 43 points, 1 behind Brighton & Hove Albion after the Seagulls’ 3-0 away triumph against Wolverhampton.

At the lower end of the table, Norwich City were relegated thanks to the combination of their 2-0 loss to Aston Villa and Burnley’s come from behind 2-1 win over 19th-place Watford. EFE

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