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Joao Cancelo scored one goal and assisted on another as Manchester City defeated Newcastle United 4-0 on Sunday to ensure they will spend Christmas Day at the top of the Premier League, a position they have held for the past three seasons.
After a mix-up between Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka and defender Ciaran Clarke, the visitors were awarded the first goal in the fifth minute when Cancelo acrobatically crossed for Ruben Dias to head into an empty net.
In the 27th minute, Cancelo added a second goal, cutting in from the right flank and finishing a solo run with a beautiful strike that silenced the home crowd.
On the half-hour mark, Newcastle were denied what appeared to be a clear penalty when City goalkeeper Ederson collided with Ryan Fraser, but neither referee Martin Atkinson nor the VAR elected to interfere.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe stated, “I’m not sure what occurred with VAR and the referee, but the goalie wipes out Ryan and it’s a stonewaller, a clear penalty.”
After a lengthy VAR review, Mahrez scored his 50th Premier League goal with a precise volley from Kevin De Bruyne’s left-wing cross in the 63rd minute.
“I knew I was onside because I saw the defender racing beside me, so I didn’t think I was offside,” Mahrez explained.
Newcastle substituted Allan Saint-Maximin for Joe Willock at halftime, but they only mustered one shot on goal in the 90 minutes – a close-range header from Callum Wilson that forced Ederson into a fantastic one-handed save.
In the 86th minute, Sterling’s tireless work on the wing was rewarded when Gabriel Jesus drove the ball across the goal and the England forward blasted it home to seal the rout.
City lead the table with 44 points, four ahead of Liverpool in second, who host Tottenham Hotspur later on Sunday, and six ahead of Chelsea in third, who were held to a 0-0 draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Newcastle remained in second place with 10 points, and City boss Pep Guardiola believes the Magpies contributed to their own demise.
“Not a good performance, but a decent result. We were fortunate, although Newcastle did not defend effectively for the first goal, and Joao Cancelo’s outstanding action for the second goal “He told the BBC about it.
Wolves hold goalless draw to Chelsea
Chelsea’s title hopes were dealt another setback on Sunday as they were held to a goalless draw by Wolverhampton Wanderers at a drizzly Molineux Stadium, a match that the visitors had requested the Premier League to postpone before kickoff.
Chelsea are six points behind Manchester City after another difficult afternoon following their midweek draw with Everton, in which they produced few chances and seldom tested Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa.
When Daniel Podence got the ball in the back of the net for the home side, it was rightfully called out when attacker Raul Jimenez strayed offside in the build-up.
Chelsea had petitioned the Premier League to postpone the game because they only had six players on the bench, including two goalkeepers, after seven COVID-19 infections reduced their lineup.
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel said the team was “mad” at the decision to play, which he described as “extremely difficult to understand.”
“The point is irrelevant to me. I was impressed by the performance, particularly in the second half. We had to grow into the game in the first half, which was a struggle for us “Tuchel made the announcement to Sky Sports.
“Some players needed to adjust to new roles. We haven’t been fortunate enough to win games recently, but I am pleased with how we performed.”
Only four goals have been scored in Wolves’ last seven Premier League matches, and this was another battle of attrition with few clear-cut chances.
The hosts dominated the first half before absorbing Chelsea pressure in the second, which was mostly devoid of cutting edge, which was probably predictable considering the visitors’ lack of forwards.
When Christian Pulisic was sent into space inside the box, he had the best chance for Chelsea, but with only Sa to beat, the goalkeeper remained solid.
In the first half, N’Golo Kante, who had been reinstated to the starting line-up following his return to fitness, blocked a long ball with his chest and then his outstretched arm, providing a ray of hope for the visitors.
The officials allowed play to continue despite denying Podence a clear run on goal.
In Wolves’ final clear chance, Podence’s cross found an unmarked Leander Dendoncker, who had a free header but could not direct his shot past Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
“Wolves don’t give up a lot of chances or goals,” Tuchel explained. “We knew we wouldn’t be able to produce much, but we tried and never gave up.”
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