This was the start of a period of three tricky games for Leeds United, but they’re safe now so these next three games are almost free hits for them.
This game was 1st placed and champions elect Manchester City playing in sky blue v 10th placed Leeds United playing in maroon. There were also 2 minutes of silence before the game to pay respects to the Duke of Edinburgh Prince Phillip as he sadly passed away on Friday aged 99.
Would Manchester City edge closer to the title or would Leeds beat one of the big teams?
Keep reading to find out.
It was played at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester
Ref for picture: https://www.facebook.com/LeedsUnited/photos
After 4 minutes, a chance for Leeds as the ball was played over the top for Raphinha who crossed into the middle but it was just behind Bamford.
A couple of minutes later, a City chance as Sterling found Torres who reversed a cross into the 6 yard area, Mendy was inches away from it but he was offside anyway.
After 10 minutes Ayling and Raphinha worked it well and won a corner for Leeds, the first one was cleared at the near post for another corner which was no better.
After a quarter of an hour, Zinchenko’s near post cross from a corner was cleared by Roberts with his head. Then at the other end, a big chance for Leeds as Roberts bursted behind Mendy and timed his run perfectly, Bamford was waiting and he missed the ball completely and Stones did enough.
After 18 minutes, Alioski did a good headed clearance, before City broke down the right as Sterling had a right footed shot from 15 yards but Meslier got down to save it.
A couple of minutes later, a half cleared corner fell to Torres 12 yards out but his right footed shot was blocked by Cooper’s body, which only fell to Jesus on the volley and he connected with his right foot but Bamford blocked.
After 24 minutes, Cancelo lost the ball to Costa which left a 3 on 3 for Leeds but Stones made a good challenge.
Just before the half hour, Sterling weaved into the box and there were appeals for a penalty, but no handball.
On the half hour mark, Raphinha danced past Mendy to win a corner for Leeds but came to nothing. Then Stones sent one down the line for Fernandinho whose low cross was blocked by Meslier’s legs.
After 35 minutes, Zinchenko delivered a quality freekick and Torres got in space from 12 yards but headed over.
Two minutes later, Sterling cut in off the left again and shot from 25 yards but his right footed effort sailed over the bar.
Five minutes before halftime, the best chance of the game was fluffed as Fernandinho turned down the right, beat his man to get into the box, Sterling got the ball and his shot from 10 yards was a bobbly one and went wide. Then Bernardo Silva picked Phillips’s pocket and City broke at pace, Jesus shot from 22 yards but Llorente made a fine challenge.
1st goal for Leeds against the run of play
After 42 minutes, Leeds took the lead against the run of play as a ball got played over the top of Cancelo for Costa, he cut inside and found Bamford who in turn teed up Dallas who hit it cleanly and his right footed shot smacked off inside the post and into the net. It was Leeds’ first attempt all game.
VAR check for a red card and the ref overturned his decision
A minute later, Cooper went in dangerously with Jesus who stayed down but Cooper got enough of the ball for just a yellow, but VAR advised the referee to go and have a look at the monitor. The referee did and he overruled his original decision and it was a red card for Cooper, harsh decision in my opinion and Noel Whelan on Radio Leeds also said “That’s not a red, he got the ball and it was his follow through that made him tackleâ€. The one last week for the Sheffield United man didn’t even get reviewedâ€.
In first half stoppage time, Zinchenko’s freekick was met with a clever back header by Stones but missed the target from 6 yards.
Halftime score: Manchester City 0-1 Leeds United
So a first half that was dominated by Man City, Leeds only had one effort on target but it was the goal, could they hold on in the 2nd half with 10 men?
After 47 minutes, Stones was allowed to run all the way to the Leeds box before Phillips brought him down, but Zinchenko’s effort was straight into the wall.
Three minutes later, Stones picked out Sterling in the box, but had to chest it down and the clearance came in. Then a minute later, patient play by City down the left, and Zinchenko curled his cross towards Torres but Alioski cleared for a corner which came to nothing.
After 53 minutes, Mendy slid in Jesus who tried teeing up Bernardo Silva but Phillips got an important touch. Then a minute later, Stones ran past Phillips, Zinchencko forced a superb save by Meslier who bounced straight back up to deny Sterling from getting the rebound.
Just after the hour mark, a big City chance as they had players in the box, Bernardo Silva spun and smashed a left footed shot from 8 yards out but somehow missed.
Five minutes later, the ball dropped to Gundogan about 20 yards out and he tried the half volley with his left foot, but floated over the bar.
With 18 minutes remaining, Fernandinho had a right footed shot from outside the box from 20 yards, but Meslier tipped it over the bar, the corner came to nothing.
City equaliser
With fifteen minutes left, the Leeds defence cracked and Man City equalised as they found gaps through the heart of the Leeds defence as Bernardo Silva darted into the box, Llorente was playing him onside, he swept a cross across goal for Torres who found the net from close range, could Leeds now hold on for what would be a very good point?
Two minutes later, Fernandinho had a right footed shot from outside the box which went over the bar, then Stones tried his luck but he was off target.
In the 90th minute, Llorente threw himself in front of a Jesus shot then Fernandinho’s header was a tame one and was straight at Meslier.
Leeds 2nd goal
In the first minute of stoppage time at the end of the match, Leeds United scored as they broke quickly down the left, Dallas made a lung bursting run through the middle, got in behind Stones and Fernandinho with a pass from Alioski and Dallas took one touch and slotted it coolly past Ederson with a nutmeg and into the net.
Fulltime score: Manchester City 1-2 Leeds United
A famous result for Leeds United to go to the champions-elect and win by only having 2 shots shows a different side to Leeds.
It took Leeds onto 45 points and upto 9th , and they finished the weekend 10th.
Highlights of this game are at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4130pU-gPjc
Next up for Leeds United is a home game with the soon to be dethroned champions Liverpool at Elland Road on Monday 19th April 8pm kickoff. On the opening day in the reverse fixture, it was athriller as Liverpool came out on top 4-3, will we get the same excitement this time?
