De Bruyne takes City closer to Premier League title
Kevin De Bruyne produced a four-goal masterclass as Manchester City thrashed Wolves 5-1 to move three points clear at the top of the Premier League, while Chelsea consolidated their top four place and pushed Leeds deeper into relegation trouble on Wednesday.
City had seen second-placed Liverpool go level on points with them after a 2-1 win at Aston Villa on Tuesday.
But De Bruyne’s brilliant display ensured Pep Guardiola’s side responded emphatically as a thrilling title race enters the final furlong.
After De Bruyne put City ahead in the seventh minute from Bernardo Silva’s pass, the leaders were briefly rocked by Leander Dendoncker’s equaliser four minutes later.
But De Bruyne extinguished Wolves’ hopes of a shock win as he completed his hat-trick with two more lethal finishes in the 16th and 24th minutes.
He bagged his fourth goal from close range in the 60th minute and Raheem Sterling put the seal on the demolition with an 85th-minute tap-in.
The Belgium midfielder’s heroics mean City need four points from their last two games to be guaranteed a
fourth Premier League title in the last five seasons.
If City can win at West Ham on Sunday, they will climb six points clear of Liverpool before Jurgen Klopp’s quadruple-chasing team next play in the league at Southampton on Tuesday.
City’s second goal spree in four days after the 5-0 rout of Newcastle on Sunday also gives them an important seven-goal advantage over Liverpool in the goal difference column.
Chelsea moved to the brink of qualifying for next season’s Champions League with a 3-0 victory at struggling Leeds.
Thomas Tuchel’s side won for the first time since Todd Boehly’s consortium agreed a deal to buy Chelsea from Roman Abramovich last week.
Mason Mount opened the scoring in the early stages at Elland Road and Leeds suffered another blow when Daniel James was sent off.
Christian Pulisic bagged Chelsea’s second goal after half-time and Romelu Lukaku wrapped up the Blues’ first win in four games.
Third-placed Chelsea are now eight points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham and will be guaranteed a top-four finish if Antonio Conte’s team fail to beat fourth-placed Arsenal later yesterday.
While Chelsea look to end the season on a high, Leeds are in grave danger of relegation.
Jesse Marsch’s men sit third-bottom of the table, behind fourth-bottom Burnley on goal difference.
Burnley have three games left compared to only two for Leeds, who host Brighton and travel to Brentford in the matches that will decide if their twoseason stay in the top flight is destined to end with a return to the Championship.
Everton moved two points clear of Leeds after a 0-0 draw at relegated Watford. Frank Lampard’s side have lost just once in their last six matches to climb out of the relegation zone.
They also have a game in hand on Leeds in the fight for survival, but will feel like a point was a disappointing return against a Watford team with nothing to play for.
Jamie Vardy scored twice and James Maddison also netted as Leicester beat relegated Norwich 3-0 at the King Power Stadium to end a run of seven games without a win.