Phil Foden scored twice as Manchester City earned a 3-2 win over struggling Leeds, moving them second in the Premier League table.
The outcome of the game was in jeopardy until the 91st minute, when Pep Guardiola’s side had inexplicably taken a two-goal lead before Foden scored his second goal of the afternoon.
City’s lead was established 59 seconds into the match and increased when Josco Guardiol scored from a corner. Leeds offered nothing to suggest an upset was imminent, even failing to muster a single shot on target during a very passive first half.
Phil Foden scored the winning goal in the 91st minute
Under-fire Leeds boss Daniel Farke needed an immediate response and got it through substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who produced the most unexpected of changes by pulling back a poor goal before winning a penalty – having been sent off at the second time of asking by Lucas Nmecha after Gianluigi Donnarumma kept out an initial effort. The city had collapsed.
The visitors thought they had salvaged a valuable point, thanks to nothing less than their spirited display in the second half, only for “special” Foden to shatter hearts with a clever stoppage-time winner – lifting his side above Chelsea into second place. Guardiola reflected, “In these moments there is no strategy and tactics, just put the ball in situations to score. Phil did that well.”
City have escaped another serious scare after consecutive defeats against Newcastle and Bayer Leverkusen in Europe, while Leeds’ troubles have worsened as they remain stuck in the relegation zone after a sixth defeat in their last seven.
What happened to Donnarumma?
Farke accused Donnarumma of “breaking the rules” after the goalkeeper suffered an injury in the second half for Leeds.
City had already sent Calvert-Lewin through on goal and conceded control of tempo when the incident occurred, with Farke’s change in formation – the two pushed up – causing the home team to face all sorts of defensive issues. While Donnarumma was receiving treatment, Guardiola gathered his team on the touchline, giving new instructions for the draw against Leeds.
Daniel Farke faces Gianluigi Donnarumma full time
“When there was a short break, the manager brought us together and we adapted to his formation,” Foden revealed after the match.
Farke said, “Everyone knows why he went down”, but also stressed that the strategy was “clever” and within existing laws. After City regrouped, Leeds scored again but could not hold on to the draw.
When Donnarumma’s actions were questioned and whether they were related to the tactical break, Guardiola said he believed his goalkeeper was injured and ordered James Trafford to warm up.
Man City no longer has the aura of champions
Lucas Nmecha scores an equalizer for Leeds from the penalty spot
Analysis by Laura Hunter at the Etihad Stadium:
That Man City completely spoiled what looked like a routine victory is a sign of how far they fall from becoming a Championship-winning team. The hosts completely eliminated any threat from Leeds in the first half. They were so comfortable, with so much control, the game was being played at almost a walking pace by the end of the half.
Guardiola’s side had generated an xG value of 2.39 on Lucas Perry’s goal, while conceding 0.10 at the opposite end. But there is something unsafe about this urban agglomeration. Never completely safe.
Hero of the day Foden later said that “every Premier League team is very difficult to beat”, but Leeds were there to take on. The result should have disappeared from sight.
Credit must certainly go at Farke’s door for the tactical changes he made at half-time to induce such a turnaround, although they suffered in no small part from City’s carelessness. Leeds’ first goal was made possible by defensive errors and the second was the result of a ridiculous lapse in judgment on the part of Guardiol.
City may have won each of their last six Premier League games at home, but they are by no means the perfect article.
Pep relieved by ‘special’ Foden’s praise
man city Owner pep guardiola,
“Scoring in the last minutes was a relief and the other feeling was of great character. The game wasn’t perfect in the first half, but it was comfortable, the chances we had should have been gone at half time.
“Then Daniel (Farke) changed the system to the one at Leverkusen – 5-3-2 – and we conceded a goal in the first minute. The size had an impact on the way we played.
“And after the emotions, we concede the second, but after taking a step forward. We react really well, we put more players in the box, we put the ball quickly in the box, and the quality of Phil (Foden) is special again. He helped us win the game.”
Farke praises ‘heart and emotion’ of Leeds fightback
leeds Owner Daniel Farke,
“We’ve played one of the best teams in the world, certainly with the best manager in the world. If you have a start like that and give up after just a few seconds it does something. We talked about how important set-pieces are, normally you have to win a set-piece scoreline to take points away from the Etihad.
“If you concede from a corner it is very difficult, a lot of setbacks in the first half. So we made changes at half time, I was not happy with our execution and we changed the structure in possession to gain more control of the game. We had different passing angles. We were confident in our play and we did brilliantly in the second half. We deserved to equalise.
“Man City is a team full of superstars and full of class and even magic in a moment, then Phil Foden was decisive. Sad and unfortunate for my players but they should take a lot of pride and confidence from the second-half performance. The dominant emotion is disappointment but we have heart and spirit and togetherness – which gives us a great chance to win the points we need.”
The story of the match in figures…
What is going to happen in the Premier League?
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