Arsenal opened up a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League thanks to a 1-0 win at Leicester on Saturday as Leeds beat Southampton 1-0 to give new boss Javi Gracia a winning start.
The Gunners snapped a four-game winless streak with two late goals at Aston Villa last week to take back control of the title race after briefly being usurped at the top of the table by Manchester City.
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Mikel Arteta’s men needed no such drama at the King Power and should have run out far more convincing winners.
“For the amount of time we dominated ball possession, territory and the amount of situations we had in the final third, we should have created much more and scored more goals,” said Arteta.
“When you don’t, you have to be exceptional in your defensive work and we conceded one shot. Defensively we were outstanding.” Arteta’s decision to start both Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard in the front three at the expense of Eddie Nketiah paid dividends.
Trossard had a brilliant first half strike into the top corner controversially ruled out by a VAR review for a foul by Ben White on Leicester goalkeeper Danny Ward.
But Martinelli was not to be denied one minute into the second period when he coolly slotted home from Trossard’s pass.
Bukayo Saka had a second goal ruled out for offside as Arsenal failed to turn their domination into a more convincing scoreline.
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HAALAND SHATTERS RECORD IN CITY’S FOUR-GOAL ROUT
Erling Haaland set a Manchester City goal record as the Premier League champions thrashed Bournemouth 4-1 to keep the pressure on leaders Arsenal.
Haaland scored his 27th goal in 24 Premier League appearances, establishing a new single-season City record in the competition as he moved past Sergio Aguero’s total of 26 in 2014-15.
Pep Guardiola’s side were already leading at Dean Court through Julian Alvarez’s early strike by the time Haaland netted.
Phil Foden’s first league goal since November and a Chris Mepham own goal completed City’s first win in their last three games in all competitions.
Despite his barrage of goals, Haaland had endured criticism over the last week amid a growing debate about his perceived flaws and possible negative impact on City this season.
Kevin de Bruyne was only fit enough to feature among the substitutes on his return from illness after missing the Leipzig tie.
That meant there was a place for Alvarez and the Argentine World Cup winner quickly repaid Guardiola’s faith.
When Foden’s advance into the area was halted by Bournemouth keeper Neto, Haaland flicked the rebound against the crossbar and Alvarez was on hand to finish from virtually on the line.
City were in complete control and Haaland doubled their advantage in the 29th minute.
Ilkay Gundogan’s cross was bundled towards goal by Rico Lewis and Haaland swoop to slot home from close-range.
Encapsulating the gulf in class between the teams, Haaland has scored more league goals than the entire Bournemouth squad have managed in the competition this season.
Foden put the result beyond doubt on the stroke of half-time as the City forward seized on Philip Billing’s woeful pass across his own area, held off Jack Stephens’ challenge and fired past Neto.
Showing the ruthless streak Guardiola has been searching for, City swept forward to score again in the 51st minute.
Foden’s cross found Alvarez and his stinging strike hit Mepham and cannoned into his own net as the Bournemouth defender tried to clear.
City’s run without a clean-sheet extended to six games when Jefferson Lerma rifled home from 12 yards after the visitors failed to clear an 83rd minute cross.
ELSEWHERE AROUND THE GROUNDS
Leeds had not won a league game since before the World Cup break, a run which saw Jesse Marsch sacked.
But they snapped that streak in a clash against Southampton at Elland Road.
Junior Firpo scored the only goal 13 minutes from time to lift Leeds out of the relegation zone.
“The club needed it after 10 games without a win,” said Gracia after his first match in charge.
“I’m very happy for everyone who works for the club, the fans and especially the players because they were working without rewards.”
West Ham were the other big winners of the day in the battle to beat the drop as four goals in the final 20 minutes potentially saved David Moyes’ job in a 4-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
According to reports this week, the former Manchester United manager faced the sack if the Hammers lost.
Two goals in three minutes from Danny Ings transformed the mood around the London Stadium before Declan Rice and Michail Antonio sealed West Ham’s second league win since October.
Everton slipped back into the bottom three after losing 2-0 at home to Aston Villa.
Ollie Watkins’ penalty and Emi Buendia’s strike condemned Sean Dyche to a first home defeat since taking charge of the Toffees.
FULL RESULTS
Everton 0-2 Aston Villa
Leicester City 0-1 Arsenal
West Ham United 4-0 Nottingham Forest
Leeds United 1-0 Southampton
Bournemouth 1-4 Manchester City
Crystal Palace v Liverpool