1 week ago
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All the key points from Manchester City's important win over Leeds United at the Etihad Stadium, as a roller coaster day ended with Pep Guardiola's men picking up three points in dramatic circumstances
Everything to know around Manchester City's vital victory over Leeds United on a chaotic afternoon at the Etihad Stadium...
- Drastic team changes: Pep Guardiola reverted almost entirely to his strongest line-up, making a significant nine changes to the side that lost in the midweek Champions League game. Only Nico Gonzalez and Tijjani Reijnders were retained in the starting XI from the previous fixture.
- Quick start: Phil Foden opened the scoring for Manchester City after a lightning-fast start, netting the goal just 59 seconds into the contest. The impressive build-up was highly praised for the "excellent right-back play" by Matheus Nunes (who played in that position), who was heavily involved in the move.
- Outrageous stat: The opening goal was highly significant for the team’s statistics, making Foden only the second City player to reach two goals in the Premier League this season. This detail highlighted the team's need for multiple players to step up in the goalscoring charts.
- Lead doubled: After the initial goal, Leeds found a foothold in the match and settled into a tactical pattern of packing the central areas. This defensive setup challenged City to go wide and try to find a route to goal from the flanks instead of through the middle, while it was only an error from Leeds keeper Lucas Perri that allowed Josko Gvardiol to double the lead.
- Leeds recovery begins: Despite being behind early on, Leeds worried City at the back on a few occasions and got into good attacking positions. It was noted that the visitors looked to have the tools to hurt the home side, which encouraged their travelling fans, and they got their reward after a couple of half-time subs, scoring early in the second half through Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
- Guardiola ploy: With the score at 2-1, Leeds United's players were left unhappy when Gianluigi Donnarumma went down with a problem. While the Manchester City goalkeeper received treatment, City's players went over the touchline to receive instructions from Pep Guardiola, which seemed like a ploy to get things organised.
- Mess for equaliser: Leeds' equaliser came as Gvardiol clumsily fouled substitute Calvert-Lewin, and while Donnarumma saved the spot-kick, the rebound was converted by Lukas Nmecha.
- Foden puts pressure on Arsenal: Foden proved the hero in a dramatic second-half which could have seen either side snatch all three points. He buried his effort in the 91st minute to ensure City move back within four points of Arsenal ahead of their clash with Chelsea on Sunday.
- Guardiola and Haaland incident: TV cameras showed Guardiola trying to console Haaland on the pitch after the final whistle, after he failed to find the net against Leeds. The striker is still hunting his 100th Premier League goal, and did not want to hear what his boss had to say to him.
- Title admission: After the game, Foden said: "The title race is never straightforward. There's always ups and downs and periods where you can't seem to get going and we've had that. The belief and togetherness came through at the end. Hopefully that's the case today that we can kick on from here. But you never know what to expect.
- READ HOW THE MATCH UNFOLDED HERE: Man City vs Leeds United LIVE highlights and Pep reaction as last-gasp Foden rescues Blues in 3-2 win
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