Rodri and Nathan Ake were given the important desires from set portions on an afternoon City had to fit the aggression of the house facet earlier than Gabriel Jesus and Fernandinho sealed victory past due on. Pep Guardiola's men facet one factor ahead of the Reds all over again with 4 video games remaining for each facets.
The defeat leaves Leeds searching over their shoulder at the relegation area. Burnley's dramatic come-from-at the back of win at Watford earlier on Saturday driven Jesse Marsch's guys all the way down to seventeenth.
They still enjoy a 5-factor lead over Everton, however the Toffees have two video games in hand to haul themselves out of problem. Leeds also seem to have the more difficult run-in with Arsenal and Chelsea among their very last four matches.
Guardiola actually had one eye on Wednesday's Champions League ride to Real Madrid as he made 5 changes from the aspect that beat the newly-crowned Spanish champions 4-three in a exciting semi-final, first leg on Tuesday. Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Riyad Mahrez have been among the ones left on the bench.
Joao Cancelo additionally returned to the lower back 4 after being suspended in midweek, however the Portuguese almost talented Leeds the lead inner five mins. Cancelo's slip on the midway line allowed Rodrigo to burst clean, but the Spanish worldwide should have picked out the unmarked Raphinha in preference to going for purpose himself as his shot turned into without problems blocked.
Leeds have been flying into tackles like a aspect fighting for survival, but that aggression became their downfall for the outlet aim. Raheem Sterling changed into upended on the left wing and from the ensuing unfastened-kick Rodri headed home Phil Foden's inviting loose-kick.
Guardiola can ill come up with the money for greater shielding accidents with Kyle Walker possibly dominated out for the season and John Stones struggling with a muscle trouble. Aymeric Laporte turned into concerned in a sickening clash of heads with Robin Koch, however each gamers were controversially allowed to retain after receiving lengthy treatment.
Ake also went off inside the 2d half, but by that point the Dutchman had made arguably his most telling contribution in nearly seasons as a City player. Ruben Dias headed Foden's nook across goal and Ake turned home from close variety to spark wild celebrations at the City bench.
Jesus then maintained his scoring streak via latching onto Foden's bypass to destroy domestic his 6th purpose in his remaining three games. Fernandinho completed the rout and took City's purpose difference to inside one in every of Liverpool's with a sweet strike in stoppage time.
