Man City slips further behind leader Everton with Leeds draw

When final whistle blew at a rain-swept Elland Ro, with manrs soaked from he to toe, Marcelo Bielsa went over to Pep Guardiola and placed both hands on his shoulders.

mentor wanted an instant assessment from his coaching disciple.

Such an exhilarating game of end-to-end attacking football left Guardiola's mind still a whirl of thoughts.

What to make of seeing his Manchester City side held 1-1 by Bielsa's Leeds on Saturday? It left Leeds in fifth place and City in 11th.

“Maybe he is much cleverer than me,” Guardiola said, recounting touchline exchange. “I need time to process."

It won't be hard to figure out how City — 2018 and 2019 Premier League champions — conceded equalizer in 59th minute to a team playing only its fourth top division game after 16-year exile.

City goalkeeper Ederson's weak punch from Kalvin Phillips' corner allowed striker Rodrigo to pounce on loose ball and score his first goal since joining Leeds for a club-record fee.

“We h to find an immense physical effort to be able to be on even terms, or slightly better than City for half a game," said Bielsa, whose bond with Guardiola began in 2006 before Spaniard went on to achieve coaching greatness with Barcelona.

w Guardiola's mission is reclaiming Premier League trophy from Liverpool, but City is alrey eight points behind Everton, which is early leer after beating Brighton 4-2 to make it four wins out of four.

At least 15 players in City squ — including Ederson — cost Guardiola's side more than 27 million pounds (about $35 million) Leeds paid for Rodrigo in offseason.

While Leeds h seven shots on target, Raheem Sterling's 16th-minute strike low shot inside far post was one of only two for City.

“A tough opponent as expected," Sterling said. “But a draw is t eugh for what we aim for. We must do more and better.”

Leeds is five points behind Everton as is Chelsea, which swept to a 4-0 victory over Crystal Palace, and Newcastle, which beat Burnley 3-1.

On weekend when spectators were originally due to start being allowed back into Premier League games — as y alrey are in Germany — doors remain shut on government orders due to a spike in infections.

JAMES DOUBLE

Everton is enjoying its best start to a season since 19th century after a seventh straight win in all competitions.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin heed Everton in front in 16th minute with his ninth goal of season, but an error by Jordan Pickford allowed Neal Maupay to level for Brighton to equalize after goalkeeper couldn't hold onto Leandro Trossard’s volley.

But Yerry Mina heed Everton back in front after meeting a free kick from fellow Colombian James Rodríguez in first-half stopp time.

Rodríguez n took his tally to three goals since signing from Real Mrid after getting on end of crosses from Alex Iwobi and Abdoulaye Doucoure.

Brighton, which scored a late second from Yves Bissouma, has three points from four games.

PENALTY SPAT

At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea’s le was secured by Ben Chilwell scoring on his league debut from Tammy Abraham’s flick-on in 50th minute and leftback’s cross set up Kurt Zouma for a heer in 66th.

Jorginho ded third from penalty spot in 78th after Abraham was tripped by Tyrick Mitchell.

Abraham hoped to get on scoresheet when Kai Havertz was fouled by Mamou Sakho. But striker’s bid to take spot kick was overruled by Cesar Azpilicueta intervening to hand ball to Jorginho, who converted in 82nd.

“Tammy maybe with his youthful exuberance and performance that he’d h in game, which I think was very good, he me a bit of mistake and wanted to take penalty," Chelsea manr Frank Lampard said. "We have a designated penalty taker as you saw with first penalty and that’s been dealt with in dressing room.”

American forward Christian Pulisic came off bench in 83rd for his first appearance since recovering from a right hamstring injury sustained in Chelsea’s FA Cup final loss to Arsenal in August.

SAINT-MAXIMIN IMPACT

At St. James' Park, Callum Wilson set up Allan Saint-Maximin to weave through Burnley defense to put Newcastle in front in 14th.

Ashley Westwood volleyed visitors level after break but Saint-Maximin crossed for Wilson to restore le in 65th. Wilson me it four goals in four league games since signing from Bournemouth when he netted from penalty spot in 78th after goalkeeper Nick Pope tripped substitute Ryan Fraser.

Burnley has opened season with three losses.

Im credits: AP

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