Premier League: Leeds United vs. Manchester City 1-3 Report

Man City once again reduced the difference with Arsenal to five points after their victory tonight at Elland Road.

Manchester City met Leeds United as the Premier League season resumed after the World Cup international break.

In an entertaining game with plenty of chances, the visitors scored at key moments to eventually claim all three points, although Jesse Marsch’s side struggled and created chances of their own.

City saw a lot of the ball in the first 45 minutes and in the opening minute Erling Haaland, the leading scorer of the Premier League, had a good chance, but his effort was saved by Illan Meslier and then cleared by Pascal Struijk.

Leeds had to be patient and critical, maintaining focus as the opposition pushed as far forward as possible, moving the ball back and forth. Kevin De Bruyne then saw a shot go just wide before team-mate Ilkay Gundogan came even closer but it went wide again.

When Marsch’s team broke through, it was with rhythm, in Willy Gnonto’s band. The striker ran into the City defense and pushed into the box but missed the target.

Other opportunities came and went as the home side’s defensive line was as tight as possible. Jack Grealish saw the ball a lot and opened up a number of chances outside the goal after finding himself in danger areas.

The visitors were only in front at the end of the first half. Meslier made a good save to keep out Riyad Mahrez, but Rodri’s header gave his side the lead at the break.

Leeds started the second half looking to push the game forward and equalize but they quickly recovered at half-time and conceded a second goal.

Grealish, fresh from the first 45 minutes of animation, set the expectations this time. He was careful to win the ball back, running behind the Leeds defense before feeding the ball to Haaland to touch down to double his lead.

Brendan Aaronson and Gnonto wanted to respond after the recession and they were very good in the band. Both players had chances to shoot at different times, but they would see their efforts spread and then Peter out.

The combination that created City’s second goal would create a third. With a quick move Grealish took the ball to the left field and gave it back to Haaland, as the forward batted home.

Then came the changes with Luke Ayling, Mateusz Klich, Joe Gelhardt and Diego Llorente. Adam Forshaw, Rasmus Kristensen, Liam Cooper and Rodrigo have replaced them.

With just over 15 minutes to go, the Whites found the back of the game. Sam Greenwood’s corner hit into the box and Struijk stepped up to push into the far corner.

As Marsch’s side continued to progress, City looked to capitalize on the space. De Bruyne had a shot from Meslier before Haaland had an excellent chance to score his hat-trick, but he was again thwarted by United’s numbers.

With inches to spare in this fun end to the game, Aaronson and Greenwood collided, allowing the latter to go in. Gelhardt was more alert but sent a heartbreaking shot just wide of the post.

In what was always a great atmosphere at Elland Road, both sides had chances towards the end of the game. Nothing else threatened at the back of the net, however, meaning City took all three points in a tightly contested game.

Lineups:

Leeds United (4-3-3) :

Meslier, Kristensen (Ayling 65′), Struijk, Koch, Cooper (Llorente 72′), Forshaw (Klich 65′), Roca, Greenwood, Gnonto, Rodrigo (Gelhardt 72′), Aaronson (Gyabi 83′)

Unused subs: Robles, Firpo, Summerville, Harrison

Manchester City (4-3-3) :

Ederson, Lewis (Cancelo 69′), Akanji, Stones, Ake, Rodrigo, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Mahrez (Palmer 88′), Grealish (Foden 72′), Haaland 

Unused subs: Ortega, Walker, Phillips, Laporte, Bernardo, Gomez

Scorers:

Bookings: