Premier League

Manchester City 2 (Gundogan 19’, 27’)

Leeds United 1 (Rodrigo 85’)

Man City: Ederson, Ake, Gundogan (C) (Rodri 90’), Haaland, Laporte, De Bruyne, Alvarez (Silva 87’), Akanji, Mahrez, Foden, Lewis. Subs not used: Ortega (GK), Walker, Dias, Phillips, Stones, Grealish, Gomez. 

Leeds: Robles (GK), Ayling (C), Firpo, Forshaw (Struijk 80’), Roca (Greenwood 58’), Bamford (Aaronson 80’), Harrison (Summerville 65’), Kristensen, McKennie, Gnonto (Rodrigo 58’), Wober. Subs not used: Meslier (GK), Koch, Rutter, Gray.

Venue: Etihad Stadium

Attendance: 53,406

Referee: Andy Madley 

Booked: Gnonto, Rodri, McKennie (Leeds)

Leeds United lost away at Manchester City in their first game under new head coach, Sam Allardyce. The Whites battled throughout the match to try and keep their table-topping hosts at bay, but Pep Guardiola’s side showed their quality to claim the three points, despite a close finish in Manchester. 

The home side had plenty of possession in the opening stages at the Etihad. Their first sight of goal came on 15 minutes, when Rico Lewis found Erling Haaland at the back of the box. The striker had space, but Joel Robles spread himself well to deny the low shot on his goal. 

City did find the opener shortly after, though. Kevin De Bruyne played the ball out to Riyad Mahrez on the wing. He controlled and turned back onto his left foot, played the ball to the edge of the box where Ilkay Gundogan curled home on his right-foot, with a first time strike. 

An almost carbon copy of the opener brought around City’s second. Again it was Mahrez on the wing, with another ball to the edge of the box. The only difference this time was that Gundogan took a touch before firing in from the edge of the box. 

A first real chance arrived for Leeds just before the half-hour mark. After getting up the pitch and winning a corner, Weston McKennie connected well with the set-play, but saw his header saved by Ederson. 

Following the two goals and chance for Leeds, the home team continued to see most of the possession, but Allardyce’s side were working hard to deny any further chances. The score remained the same going into the break. 

HALF TIME: Manchester City 2-0 Leeds United

The second half got underway with no changes on either side. A first chance arrived quickly for City after Aymeric Laporte Played the ball across goal. Haaland was unmarked at the back post but could only power his header against the bar - however, the offside flag then went up anyway. 

A second chance came for the Premier League’s top scorer shortly after. This time it was his strike partner Julian Alvarez who made the opening by crossing into the box. Haaland made best use of his height to get up again, but Robles was there to save his header. 

Leeds made a double change close to an hour gone. Sam Greenwood and Rodrigo entered the action, replacing Willy Gnonto and Marc Roca. Shortly after, Crysencio Summerville also came on, in place of Jack Harrison. 

Haaland had another huge chance and would find the woodwork again. Like in the first half, he was played in by Lewis, then controlled well but dragged his shot wide via the outside of the post. 

The Whites did have moments where they pushed up the pitch. Bamford was continuing to give everything on the forward line, supported by his teammates, but Manchester City continued to clear the danger with their strong defensive line. 

With six minutes to go, the hosts were awarded a penalty. The ball was handed to Gundogan to take, but with Robles going the right way, the ball cannoned back out off the post and was then cleared by Max Wober.

Straight up the other end, Leeds found a way back into the match. Junior Firpo knocked the ball into the path of Rodrigo, who showed composure and an excellent finish to slot home into the bottom corner and reduce the deficit! 

Despite continuing to throw everything forward in search of an equaliser, roared on by a superb backing once again at the Etihad Stadium, Leeds were unable to find another goal. 

The match was brought to a close after a considerable effort from Allaydyce’s side, with the Whites applauded off the pitch by the travelling fans. Next up, Newcastle United at Elland Road next weekend. 

FULL TIME: Manchester City 2-1 Leeds United