Manchester City beat Wolves 5-1 to extend their lead to three points at the top of the Premier League. At the same time, Chelsea cemented their top-four position and drove Leeds further into relegation jeopardy on Wednesday.
After a 2-1 victory at Aston Villa on Tuesday, City saw second-placed Liverpool draw level on points. However, De Bruyne’s outstanding performance ensured Pep Guardiola’s team replied forcefully as the championship battle entered the final stretch.
After De Bruyne scored from Bernardo Silva’s ball in the seventh minute, City was stunned when Leander Dendoncker equalized four minutes later.
Wolves’ chances of a comeback were dashed as De Bruyne completed his hat-trick with two more deadly finishes in the 16th and 24th minutes.
In the 60th minute, he scored his fourth goal from close range, and Raheem Sterling sealed the victory with an 85th-minute tap-in.
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Due to the heroics of the Belgium midfielder, City will need four points from their next two games to secure their fourth Premier League championship in the previous five seasons.
“Unstoppable, amazing, great, outstanding, wonderful!” Guardiola said of De Bruyne.
“He has the power to make unique items.” He needs to score goals, and this season has been his most productive since we’ve been together.”
The city will go six points ahead of Liverpool if they win against West Ham on Sunday, with Liverpool’s quadruple-chasing squad next playing in the league at Southampton on Tuesday.
City’s second goal spree in four days, after their 5-0 thrashing of Newcastle on Sunday, gives them a crucial seven-goal lead over Liverpool in goal differential.
“We will be champs if we win these games.” We must rest the players before facing West Ham in the successive final,” Guardiola remarked.
With Ruben Dias, John Stones, and Kyle Walker sidelined for the rest of the season and Aymeric Laporte hobbling off in the second half at Molineux, City’s latest success was even more stunning.
While Liverpool has been relentless in their chase of City since January, Guardiola’s squad has shown to be up to the task.
The city has won five consecutive league games since drawing with Liverpool on April 10, scoring 22 goals and conceding twice.
Chelsea is clinical
With a 3-0 win against struggling Leeds, Chelsea came closer to qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
For the first time since Todd Boehly’s group agreed to acquire Chelsea from Roman Abramovich last week, Thomas Tuchel’s team triumphed.
At Elland Road, Mason Mount scored the first goal, and Leeds was dealt an additional blow when Daniel James was sent off.
After halftime, Christian Pulisic scored Chelsea’s second goal, and Romelu Lukaku sealed the Blues’ first victory in four games.
Chelsea is currently eight points ahead of fifth-placed Tottenham and will be assured of a top-four finish if Antonio Conte’s side fails to defeat fourth-placed Arsenal on Thursday.
Chelsea’s recent collapse was the perfect warm-up for Saturday’s FA Cup final against Liverpool at Wembley.
“We embraced all of our challenges, including a physically demanding squad and an emotionally charged venue. “We were powerful and deserved to win,” Tuchel said, adding that Mateo Kovacic may miss the final due to an ankle injury.
While Chelsea hopes to finish the season on a solid note, Leeds is being relegated.
Jesse Marsch’s side is currently in third place in the standings, one point behind fourth-placed Burnley.
Burnley has three games remaining, while Leeds has just two, hosting Brighton and visiting Brentford in the games that will determine if their two-year time in the Premier League will end with a return to the Championship.
After a 0-0 draw against demoted Watford, Everton moved two points ahead of Leeds.
Frank Lampard’s team has only lost once in their past six games to get out of the relegation zone.
In the struggle for survival, they also face a game against Leeds.
At the King Power Stadium, Leicester defeated Norwich 3-0, ending a seven-game winless streak. Jamie Vardy scored twice, and James Maddison also scored.
