NORWICH, Feb 13: The gulf between the two Manchester clubs was at its most stark in the English Premier League on Saturday.
A few hours after United’s latest disjointed display in a 1-1 draw at home to Southampton, City coped just fine with resting key players in a 4-0 win at Norwich – led by a hat trick from Raheem Sterling – that extended its lead to 12 points.
Last season, City and United finished as the top two. This season, they are separated by 23 points with a third of the season still to play and United in fifth place.
City has just risen to the top of the league’s scoring charts on 61 goals, without a recognized striker in its squad.
Who needs one when City has so many attacking midfielders capable of scoring? Against Norwich, Sterling scored either side of Phil Foden and then his third goal from a rebound off his saved penalty to move on to 10 in the league, making him City’s leading scorer.
City manager Pep Guardiola didn’t even need to bring the likes of Kevin De Bruyne or Joao Cancelo off the bench, keeping them fresh for Sporting in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Everton vs Leeds Utd
Scoring goals isn’t proving a problem for Everton in the early days of Frank Lampard’s tenure.
Make that seven goals in two home games under Lampard after Everton beat Leeds 3-0 thanks to scores by Seamus Coleman, Michael Keane and Anthony Gordon. Last weekend, Everton defeated Brentford 4-1 in the FA Cup.
Everton has been in freefall in the league but a second win since September lifted the team five points clear of the relegation zone.
Watford vs Brighton
The arrival of Roy Hodgson has done nothing to improve Watford’s fortunes.
A 2-0 loss to Brighton was Watford’s sixth successive home defeat – a first for the club in the top division.
Since replacing Claudio Ranieri, Hodgson hasn’t seen his new team score.
Watford stayed in next-to-last place, one point ahead of a Burnley team that has played three games fewer.
Brentford vs Crystal Palace
Christian Eriksen wasn’t ready to make his debut for Brentford in the 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace. That didn’t stop him getting the biggest cheer of the match.
The Denmark international was introduced to the team’s supporters on the field ahead of kickoff, eight months to the day since his cardiac arrest at the European Championship. (AP)
