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Kevin De Bruyne celebrating with his teammates Joao Cancelo and Raheem Sterling (r.)
Photo: Rui Vieira / dpa
Defending champions Manchester City have maintained their three-point lead over pursuers Liverpool after beating Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League.
Mainly thanks to the outstanding Kevin De Bruyne, who scored four times for coach Pep Guardiola's team, Man City outclassed the Wolves 5-1 (3-1) on Wednesday evening.
Former Wolfsburg player De Bruyne put Man City ahead in the first half with his hat-trick (7th minute/16th/24th).
The interim equalization by Leander Dendoncker (11th) gave the hosts only a short hope.
De Bruyne scored again for City in the 60th minute, Raheem Sterling scored the final (84').
With two games to go before the end of the season, the Cityzens also have a significantly better goal difference (72) than Liverpool (65).
Chelsea beat Leeds
Chelsea FC also celebrated an important away win after three games without a win.
The Londoners prevailed 3-0 (1-0) at Leeds United and, third in the table, are still on course towards qualifying for the Champions League.
Mason Mount (4th minute), Christian Pulisic (55th) and Romelu Lukaku (83rd) scored in the stadium on Elland Road for the Blues coached by Thomas Tuchel.
The relegation-threatened hosts - with former Leipzig coach Jesse Marsch - had to play for more than an hour because Leeds professional Daniel James saw the red card after 24 minutes for a foul.
Due to a medical emergency in the audience, the game was interrupted for a few minutes in the first half.
Chelsea, third in the table, have two games to go before the end of the season and are eight points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who have played one game in hand.
Spurs welcome arch-rivals Arsenal, who are currently fourth, in the London derby on Thursday evening.
Leeds are now in a relegation zone in 18th.
as/dpa
