Manchester City vs Leeds United 2-1 – as it happened
All the updates from the Premier League clash between Manchester City and Leeds at the Etihad Stadium.
This blog is now closed, thank you for joining us. These were all the updates from the Premier League clash between Manchester City and Leeds United on Saturday, May 6.
This blog is now closed, thank you for joining us. These were all the updates from the Premier League clash between Manchester City and Leeds United on Saturday, May 6.
- Manchester City extend their lead above Arsenal at the top of the Premier League to four points with a 2-1 win over Leeds United.
- Leeds, mired in a relegation battle, played their first match under newly-appointed manager Sam Allardyce.
- City have now won their last ten Premier League matches.
- Leeds have now failed to win in their last six games.
- Live updates
- Match stats
- Lineups
That’s all from us
That brings an end to Saturday’s live blog. Have a good evening!
Haaland draws a blank
Leeds can take encouragement from the fact that they did not let Haaland get on the scoresheet today. It’s the first time in more than a month that he has failed to score in a league game for City.
That’s unacceptable really; Pep should consider dropping him for the Real Madrid game.
Other results from around the league
Frank Lampard registered the first win of his second spell as Chelsea boss, with his side defeating Bournemouth 3-1 at the Vitality Stadium. It means Chelsea are now mathematically safe from relegation.
Harry Kane overtook Wayne Rooney as the second highest goalscorer in the history of the Premier League in Tottenham’s 1-0 win over Crystal Palace.
In a Midlands derby, Wolves beat Aston Villa 1-0 to dent Unai Emery’s side’s push for a European spot.
Lewis shines for City
Rico Lewis has shown his quality again. Slotted in seamlessly into the XI and was magnificent positionally. The manner in which he slotted into midfield and help out in build-up was eerily reminiscent of Cancelo. The depth in this City squad is astonishing.
Fact that Rico Lewis is only 18 years old and has fitted into Peps system already is insane. We have a generational talent on our hands 💫 pic.twitter.com/ee7TSjzqwu
— 17 (@DxBruyneSZN) May 6, 2023
Gundogan’s class
Don’t let the penalty miss detract from his imperious performance. Modern City legend.
İlkay Gündoğan completed 170 passes against Leeds, the most by a player in a Premier League game this season.
58 more than the entire Leeds side combined. 😅 pic.twitter.com/aqn598nDzZ
— Squawka (@Squawka) May 6, 2023
Leeds should not be discouraged by that performance
All things considered, Allardyce will take that. His team was outclassed today but they weren’t out-fought. The drive and application was there to see but the quality was lacking. In many ways, this was a free pass for Allardyce. Next Saturday’s home game against Newcastle United is where they absolutely have to get a result.
The penalty incident
Gundogan’s miss throws up an interesting question – should players be generous in high stakes games?
If Gundogan had scored, we’d all be raving about how selfless Haaland is and how tight this City squad is.
"You have to take it!"
Pep wasn't happy after Haaland gave this penalty kick to Gundogan to try and complete his hat trick. Gundogan missed and Leeds scored minutes later 😬 pic.twitter.com/xDozEKIyTY
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 6, 2023
City close in on the title
City march on. They are now four points clear in first place – the largest lead they’ve had all season. Nine more points and the title will be theirs.
The numbers don’t lie
Man City (2.77) 2-1 (0.29) Leeds
— The xG Philosophy (@xGPhilosophy) May 6, 2023
FULL-TIME
Man City 2-1 Leeds United
Yellow for McKennie
Emotions boiling over. Gundogan is tripped as he carries the ball into the Leeds half. It’s his last contribution today as he’s replaced by Rodri.
90+3mins: Man City 2-1 Leeds United
Four minutes added on
Can Leeds get an equaliser?
90+1 mins: Man City 2-1 Leeds United
City shaken
That Leeds goal came out of nowhere. City looked momentarily rattled but they’ve just had a healthy spell of possession to calm things over. Leeds have a spring in their step, though.
Grandstand finish?
89 mins: Man City 2-1 Leeds United
Change for City
Alvarez is off and Bernardo is on.
87 mins: Man City 2-1 Leeds United
GOAL!
Rodrigo scores for Leeds!
He takes advantage of momentary decision by Akanji and finishes into the bottom corner.
Game on.
85 mins: Man City 2-1 Leeds United
PENALTY MISSED!
Gundogan strikes the post. A loud clang echoes around an Etihad crowd that was ready to celebrate a hat trick.
84 mins: Man City 2-0 Leeds United
PENALTY TO CITY
Foden bursts into the box and is tripped by Struijk. Easy decision, that. Gundogan standing over it.
82 mins: Man City 2-0 Leeds United
City in second-gear
It’s interesting that Guardiola has made just one change so far, that, too, out of necessity. Will De Bruyne and Haaland play the full 90?
Meanwhile for Leeds, Forshaw and Bamford are replaced by Aaronson and Struijk.
80 mins: Man City 2-0 Leeds United
Leeds fans are bringing the noise
They’ve not had much to cheer today – Leeds have had four touches in the City box – but Leeds fans are making themselves heard. Perhaps they fear they won’t be back here for a while?
76 mins: Man City 2-0 Leeds United
Rodrigo goes into the book
He clips De Bruyne on the edge of the box and becomes the second Leeds to player to pick up a yellow today. Mahrez takes the free kick, from a tight angle and Robles gobbles it up.
70 mins: Man City 2-0 Leeds United
Change for Leeds
Harrison is off, Summerville is on.
65 mins: Man City 2-0 Leeds United
Haaland hits the post
He receives the ball with his back to goal, spins around and hits it but it strikes the post and goes out for a goal kick. This is the most chances he’s had in a game this season without scoring.
63 mins: Man City 2-0 Leeds United
An unheralded aspect of this City team
Their movement off the ball. Even when a Leeds player does get on the ball, they’re immediately backed into a corner, with all their passing options closed off. The speed with which they win the ball back has been key to their title charge this year.
61 mins: Man City 2-0 Leeds United
Changes for Leeds
Change in personnel for Leeds. Rodrigo and Greenwood are on, Roca and Gnonto are off.
Can they shake Leeds into life?
58 mins: Man City 2-0 Leeds United
Crikey
Man City have been behind just once and for just 10 minutes in their last 12 Premier League matches
— Orbinho (@Orbinho) May 6, 2023