Manchester City gun down Newcastle United
Manchester City will be top of the Premier League on Christmas Day after easing to a 4-0 victory over Newcastle United at St. James’ Park on Sunday.
An early goal from defender Ruben Dias, as well as strikes from defender Joao Cancelo, winger Riyad Mahrez and forward Raheem Sterling ensured Pep Guardiola’s side a comfortable win over Eddie Howe’s Newcastle, who failed to make ground in their bid for survival.
Sunday’s result was City’s seventh-consecutive league win, a run that dates back to October.
Beat their record for most goals in a calendar year. Set the record for most Premier League wins in a calendar year. Eighth straight league win.
Manchester City are cruising in the Premier League ? pic.twitter.com/MaFcJppXm8
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Dias broke the deadlock inside five minutes, taking advantage of a mistake from Newcastle defender Ciaran Clark, who failed to deal with a looped cross on the edge of the six-yard box, allowing Dias to head home from close range.
Cancelo doubled City’s lead on 27 minutes, ending a meandering run through Newcastle’s half with a fierce shot from the edge of the 18-yard box.
Striker Gabriel Jesus almost added another early in the second half as he headed from point-blank range but was denied by Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.
Mahrez scored City’s third with a volley on 64 minutes, finishing an inviting cross from defender Oleksandr Zinchenko. The goal was originally ruled out for offside by the linesman but was later awarded by the Video Assistant Referee.
Sterling capped his side’s commanding performance on 86 minutes by slotting home unmarked at the back post following a cross from Jesus.
A goalless draw for Chelsea
Chelsea produced another disappointing performance as they were held to a 0-0 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Molineux Stadium on Sunday.
Chelsea struggled to get into the match against a spirited Wolves side, who will be disappointed to only come away with one point.
The hosts dominated the majority of the match but lacked the cutting edge in attack, while Thomas Tuchel’s side’s best chance came from a second-half strike from Christian Pulisic, which was excellently saved by Wolves’ goalkeeper Jose Sa.
Chelsea fielded a depleted side on Sunday with eight senior players missing through injury or after testing positive for COVID-19, naming just four outfield players on the bench. An hour ahead of kickoff, they confirmed a request to postpone the match had been rejected by the Premier League.
FT: Wolves 0-0 Chelsea
Chelsea fall six points behind league leaders Manchester City ? pic.twitter.com/ykGAsCeWF8
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Wolves started strongly and appeared to go ahead in the 14th minute as Daniel Podence slotted home a Marcal cross, but the strike was disallowed after it was ruled an offside Raul Jimenez interfered with play.
The hosts continued to cause problems for Chelsea throughout the half as Jimenez and Leander Dendoncker both went close, while the visitors struggled to create chances for themselves at the other end of the pitch.
Chelsea were much improved after the break but failed to challenge Sa until Pulisic’s chance in the 78th minute.
The result sees them drop to six points adrift of Premier League title rivals Manchester City.
Courtesy: ESPN
