Premier League Week 19: Manchester City Extends Lead Over Chelsea and Liverpool to 6 Points

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Raheem Sterling of Manchester City celebrates after scoring their side's fourth goal with Bernardo Silva during their Premier League match against Leicester City at Etihad Stadium on December 26, 2021 in Manchester, England. (Photo : Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

A huge gap is opening up at the top of the Premier League table, with Manchester City now holding a six-point lead over title rivals Liverpool and Chelsea after Week 19. Liverpool's game against Leeds was postponed, giving Pep Guardiola's men the opportunity to extend their advantage over the Reds.

Man City extends win streak to 9 games after a nine-goal thriller

Manchester City remained in sole possession of the top spot in the Premier League after an enthralling 6-3 win over Leicester City on Boxing Day. Kevin De Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez, Ilkay Gundogan, Aymeric Laporte, and Raheem Sterling scored the goals for Manchester City, who extended their winning streak in the Premier League to nine games.

Manchester City got off to a dream start against Leicester City, with De Bruyne scoring the opening goal in the fifth minute. The Belgian star blasted a terrific finish after being given time and space to control Fernandinho's hoisted pass inside the box.

Mahrez then doubled City's advantage in the 14th minute via a penalty. The Citizens were awarded a spot kick after Youri Tielemans brought down Aymeric Laporte during a corner. Gundogan made it 3-0 for Manchester City in the 21st minute with an opportunistic rebound after Joao Cancelo's initial effort was saved by Kasper Schmeichel.

Raheem Sterling converted a spot kick for Manchester City's fourth goal in the 25th minute after he was chopped down by Tielemans inside the penalty area. Sterling has now scored in four successive Premier League games, the first time he has done so since September 2017.

Related Article: Atlanta Falcons vs Buffalo Bills Week 17 Predictions, Picks, Odds, and NFL Preview  

Man City survives major scare after Leicester City fightback

The rout was definitely on for Manchester City, who came off a 4-0 win over Newcastle in Week 18. The Foxes had other ideas, though, as they launched a spirited fightback at the start of the second half. They scored three goals in 10 minutes to cut the deficit to 4-3, with a quarter of the match remaining.

James Maddison opened the scoring for Leicester City after a slip by Manchester City's Oleksandr Zinchenko in the 55th minute. Ademola Lookman made it 4-2 in the 59th minute after he was given a fantastic through ball by Kelechi Iheanacho. The comeback was officially on in the 65th minute when Iheanacho converted a rebound for Leicester City's third goal.

Laporte made sure there would not be a shocking collapse for Manchester City, though, scoring a towering header in the 69th minute to restore their two-goal lead. Sterling then sealed the win for Manchester City with a late goal in the 87th minute.

Chelsea was able to keep pace with Manchester City in the race for the title after snatching a 3-1 win over Aston Villa in Week 19. The Blues came from behind to grab the crucial road victory, with Jorginho and Romelu Lukaku the goalscorers for Chelsea.

READ MORE ON SWN:

Houston Texans vs San Francisco 49ers Week 17 Predictions, Picks, Odds, and NFL Preview

Vikings vs Packers Week 17 Predictions, Picks, Odds, and Sunday Night Football Preview

© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.