Beating West Brom 5-0, Manchester City Returning To The Top Of The Standings

JAKARTA - Manchester City came to the top of the standings again after beating host West Bromwich Albion 5-0 in Week 20 of the Premier League at The Hawthorns Stadium, Tuesday local time (Wednesday West Indonesian Time).

Midfielder Ilkay Gundogan continued his fertility trend by scoring two goals in City's victory this time with goals from Joao Cancelo, Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling.

City are currently collecting 41 points and taking over the top spot from city rivals Manchester United (40) who played just a day ago.

Meanwhile, West Brom, who have suffered five successive defeats at home, are stuck in 19th of the standings with 11 points, Antara noted on the official Premier League website.

Pep Guardiola's side got off to a perfect start when they opened up the lead just six minutes after a strike by Gundogan's shot from the edge of the box that tricked goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.

FULL-TIME | WHAT. A. DISPLAY. ⚪️ 0-5 🔷 #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5re pic.twitter.com/Hb34IMM40f

- Manchester City (@ManCity) January 26, 2021

That advantage was doubled by Cancelo, who scored in a similar position as Gundogan when completing Bernardo Silva's bait in the 20th minute.

Under City pressure, West Brom created rare opportunities in the 28th minute through Robert Snodgrass's pass, unfortunately Callum Robinson's finishing was still sliding thinly on the side of the visitors' goal.

Two minutes later, it was City who succeeded in adding to their lead through Gundogan's second goal which he scored with a cold finish snatching a less than perfect sweep of the West Brom defense.

A three-goal lead did not allow City to defuse their wave of attack and in the second minute of first-half injury time Mahrez calmly took Sterling's cross before finishing it off with a curling strike into the far post to make it 4-0.

City's fifth goal came in the 57th minute when Sterling tucked in Mahrez's cross in front of goal.

Start as we mean to go on! 🤞⚪️ 0-1 🔷 #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5re pic.twitter.com/V2h8fFzdRd

- Manchester City (@ManCity) January 26, 2021

West Brom did not move to provide significant resistance and the 5-0 victory score for City lasted until the whistle sounded the game over.

The two teams will return to play on Saturday, January 30 this weekend, when City host Sheffield United and West Brom to face Fulham.