Ilkay Gundogan’s first-half double took Manchester City four points clear of Arsenal at the top of the table with a victory that heightened Leeds United’s relegation fears.
Pep Guardiola, with one eye on Tuesday night’s UEFA Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid, made seven changes to City’s starting XI, while goalkeeper Joel Robles was one of four changes made by Sam Allardyce in his first match in charge of Leeds.
Robles’ inclusion came at the expense of Illan Meslier, who had previously started 72 consecutive league matches for Leeds.
The former Everton ‘keeper, making his first Premier League start since May 2018, was beaten on 19 minutes when Gundogan swept home from Riyad Mahrez’s pass, before the duo combined again eight minutes later for an almost identical goal from the edge of the box.
Guardiola’s side continued to dominate, completing 437 passes in the first half, the most by any team in the opening period of a Premier League match this season.
City won a penalty in the 84th minute as Pascal Struijk fouled Phil Foden, and Erling Haaland charitably allowed Gundogan to take it, giving his team-mate the chance to complete his hat-trick.
But the German smacked the woodwork with his spot-kick, and 58 seconds later Leeds pulled a goal back with a brilliant left-footed finish by Rodrigo.
Guardiola’s frustration was clear, but City saw out the match to secure a 10th consecutive Premier League win.
Leeds remain 17th, out of the relegation zone on goal difference, but having played one match more than the three teams beneath them.
Liverpool maintain top-four chase
Liverpool moved within a point of the top four after securing their sixth straight Premier League victory, beating Brentford 1-0 at home.
Mohamed Salah produced the decisive strike in the 13th minute, finishing at close range when Virgil van Dijk headed the ball across goal.
The Egyptian became the first Liverpool player to score in nine successive home appearances in all competitions, while he also moved joint-fifth in the club’s all-time goalscorer’s list, level with Steven Gerrard on 186.
The Reds survived a scare as a Bryan Mbeumo goal was ruled out for offside before the break, but it was the hosts who had the better second-half chances, with Cody Gakpo missing at point-blank range and Trent Alexander-Arnold forcing a fine save from David Raya.
Liverpool are within a point of fourth-placed Manchester United in the race for UEFA Champions League qualification, but having played two matches more than their rivals. Brentford stay ninth with 50 points.
Kane beats Rooney’s goal tally
Harry Kane moved above Wayne Rooney to second on the all-time Premier League goalscorers list as Tottenham Hotspur edged to a 1-0 derby win over Crystal Palace.
After a bright opening by Palace, Spurs went close as Cristian Romero hit the crossbar with a flicked header from Pedro Porro’s corner.
Porro was involved in the build-up to Kane’s goal, sending over an inviting delivery that his captain powerfully headed home for his 26th Premier League goal of the season.
It was Kane’s 10th headed goal of 2022/23, setting a record for a single campaign, and his 209th goal overall in the Premier League, now second only to Alan Shearer’s record of 260.
Wilfried Zaha was a whisker away from equalising for Palace with a shot that curled just wide of the upright with Fraser Forster beaten.
Son Heung-min nearly added a second for Spurs with 14 minutes left when he ran clean through on goal and seemed to have skipped past Sam Johnstone, only for the goalkeeper to dive across and make a super save.
A first win in five matches takes Spurs to 57 points, two clear of seventh-placed Brighton & Hove Albion in the race for European qualification but having played three matches more. Palace drop to 12th on 40 points.
Toti’s perfect timing for Wolves
Wolverhampton Wanderers all but secured their Premier League status and dented Aston Villa’s European hopes with a narrow victory at Molineux.
Toti’s first goal for Wolves, a thumping ninth-minute header from Ruben Neves’ corner, got Julen Lopetegui’s side off to a strong start.
Villa responded in a full-blooded Midlands derby and it took a fine save from Jose Sa to deny Emiliano Buendia an equaliser before Ollie Watkins sent a free header from Jacob Ramsey’s cross straight at the goalkeeper.
Tyrone Mings also had a golden opportunity to salvage a point in the final 15 minutes, but he volleyed over from six yards.
Unai Emery’s Villa have now lost 10 and and drawn one of the 11 Premier League matches where they have trailed at half-time this season.
Wolves’ fourth win in six matches takes them to 13th spot on 40 points. Villa remain eighth with 54.
Late show gives Lampard first win
Two goals in the last nine minutes from Benoit Badiashile and Joao Felix gave Frank Lampard his first win since his return as Chelsea’s interim manager.
Conor Gallagher’s early header put Chelsea in front, but Matias Vina levelled with a brilliant curling shot beyond Kepa Arrizabalaga on 21 minutes.
Chelsea had lost all six of their previous matches under Lampard in all competitions, and it could have been seven had AFC Bournemouth’s unmarked Dango Ouattara not headed over from six yards with 11 minutes remaining.
Instead, Badiashile prodded home a cross from Hakim Ziyech on 82 minutes, before substitute Joao Felix made the points safe, eluding his marker Jefferson Lerma to sidefoot in.
Chelsea climb to 11th with 42 points. AFC Bournemouth slip to 14th on 39 points.
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