Manchester City Spoil Sam Allardyce's Return To Edge Closer To Premier League title

Manchester City closed in on retaining the Premier League title as a 2-1 win over struggling Leeds on Saturday opened up a four-point lead at the top of the table.

Ilkay Gundogan struck twice before half-time and missed a penalty as City made it 14 consecutive wins at the Etihad in 2023.

But the home side were made to suffer a far more nervy finale than necessary after Rodrigo pulled a goal back five minutes from time.

Pep Guardiola was far from happy after Erling Haaland gave Gundogan the chance to seal his hat-trick from the spot rather than taking responsibility six minutes from time.

That rounded off a rare poor day for Haaland, who missed a number of chances to add to his 51 goals in all competitions this season.

City's far superior goal difference over Arsenal means Guardiola's men likely need a maximum of eight points from their last four games to claim a fifth league title in six seasons.

Sam Allardyce's return to the dugout had no immediate impact in reviving Leeds' fortunes as they remain outside the relegation zone only on goal difference.

Allardyce made the remarkable claim in midweek that he was "as good" as Guardiola after being appointed for the final four games of the season.

But the former England boss was quickly teased with chants of "you're getting sacked in the morning" as the visitors failed to offer any resistance to wave upon wave of City attack early on.

After the English national anthem was played just prior to kick-off to mark the coronation of King Charles III, the game quickly turned into a procession.

Guardiola could even afford the luxury of making seven changes with one eye on Tuesday's trip to Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals.

Gundogan was one of those brought back into the