Premier League Week 18: Manchester City Extends Lead Over Title Rivals Liverpool and Chelsea : SOCCER : Sports World News

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Manchester City’s Spanish manager Pep Guardiola (L) gestures to Manchester City’s Portuguese defender Joao Cancelo (R) during their English Premier League football match against Newcastle United at St James’ Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on December 19, 2021. (Photo : OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

Manchester City’s quest for a sixth Premier League title got a huge lift in Week 18 after Chelsea and Liverpool dropped points in their respective matches. The Citizens now hold a three-point lead atop the Premier League standings following their four-goal win over Newcastle United on the road.

Man City extends win streak to 8 games with Newcastle rout

Manchester City remained in sole possession of the top spot in the Premier League after a commanding 4-0 win over Newcastle United on Sunday. Ruben Dias, Joao Cancelo, Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling scored the goals for Manchester City, who extended their winning streak in the Premier League to eight games.

Manchester City got off to a dream start against Newcastle, with Dias scoring the opening goal in the fifth minute. Newcastle defender Ciaran Clark had difficulty dealing with Cancelo’s fantastic cross, resulting in Dias scoring with an easy header. Dias has now scored twice this season, with both of his goals coming in the month of December.

Cancelo then doubled City’s advantage in the 27^th minute with a terrific solo effort. After collecting the ball from 35 yards out, Cancelo went on a mazing run, beating two Newcastle players before firing a thunderous strike from outside the penalty area into the top corner.

Manchester City continued to pile on the pressure in the second half, scoring two more goals during this period. Riyad Mahrez made it 3-0 for City in the 64^th minute with a sumptuous volley off Oleksandr Zinchenko’s cross. It was a historic moment for Mahrez, who scored his 50^th goal for City in the Premier League.

Sterling completed the rout for City in the 86^th minute, converting an easy tap-in after Gabriel Jesus’ marauding run down the left flank. For the third time in Manchester City’s history, Pep Guardiola’s men will be top of the table at Christmas. They accomplished that feat back in the 2011-12 and 2017-18 seasons. Manchester City won the title on both occasions, an ominous sign for their title rivals Chelsea and Liverpool.

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Liverpool and Chelsea lose ground to Man City after tough draws

Liverpool and Chelsea lost ground to leaders Manchester City after they recorded draws in their respective matches over the weekend. Liverpool and Tottenham battled to a 2-2 stalemate while Chelsea was held to a goalless draw by Wolves. Son Heung-Min denied the Reds all three points by scoring a late equalizer in the 74^th minute.

COVID-19 depleted the Blues in their match at the Molineaux but they still managed to nab a point against Wolves. Chelsea’s defense stood tall in that contest as they earned their first clean sheet in seven games. The Blues now trail Manchester City by six points heading into Week 19.