Phil Foden scored twice as Manchester City came from the brink to beat struggling Leeds 3-2, a stoppage-time winner moving Pep Guardiola’s side up to second in the Premier League.
City took the lead inside 59 seconds and extended it when Josko Gvardiol converted from a corner. Leeds offered little in a passive first half and did not register a shot on target before the break.
Leeds boss Daniel Farke introduced Dominic Calvert-Lewin from the bench and the substitute sparked a dramatic comeback, pulling a scruffy goal back and then winning a penalty. Lukas Nmecha converted from the spot at the second attempt after Gianluigi Donnarumma had saved the first effort. City, who had earlier suffered defeats to Newcastle and Bayer Leverkusen, looked to have thrown away a comfortable lead.
Just when a point appeared likely for Leeds, Foden produced a clever finish in the 91st minute to restore City ahead, condemning the visitors to a sixth loss in seven and lifting Manchester City above Chelsea. “In these moments there are not strategies and tactics, just put the ball in situations to score. Phil did it good,” Guardiola said.
Farke accused Donnarumma of “bending the rules” after the goalkeeper went down during the second-half surge, claiming the stoppage disrupted Leeds’ momentum. Farke added that “everyone knows why he went down” but conceded the tactic was within the laws. Guardiola maintained he believed Donnarumma was injured and had James Trafford warm up.
Analysis from the Etihad suggested the result underlined how far City have slipped from the aura of champions. They dominated the first half, generating strong expected-goals numbers while conceding little, yet lapses in concentration and some defensive errors allowed Leeds back into the contest after the interval. Farke’s tactical changes at half-time — shifting shape and encouraging more direct passing — helped fuel the revival.
Guardiola on the contest: “It was a relief to score in the last minutes and the other feeling is big character. The game was not perfect in the first half, but it was comfortable, should be over at half-time with the chances we had… the quality of Phil again – he’s special. He helped us to win the game.”
Farke reflected on his side’s reaction: “We changed structure in possession to gain more control. We had belief back and showed a fantastic second half. We deserved to equalise… Heartbreak and unlucky for my players but they should take lots of pride and confidence from the second-half performance.”
Player ratings:
Man City: Donnarumma 6, Nunes 6, Dias 6, Gvardiol 5, O’Reilly 6, Gonzalez 6, Bernardo 6, Reijnders 5, Doku 5, Foden 9, Haaland 4. Subs: Cherki 5, Marmoush n/a, Stones n/a.
Leeds: Perri 5, Justin 6, Struijk 5, Rodon 5, Bogle 6, Gruev 5, Ampadu 7, Tanaka 6, Gnonto 4, James 6, Nmecha 6. Subs: Calvert-Lewin 8, Bijol 7, Gudmundsson 6, Okafor n/a, Aaronson n/a.
Player of the Match: Phil Foden
City escaped with all three points but questions remain over their consistency, while Leeds’ struggles continue as they remain rooted in the relegation zone.