Leeds United 0 Manchester City 1 – all fall down. So that was the end of Leeds’ record of winning under the lights. But it was not given up easily as the referee gave City players the benefit of the doubt every time they fell over. On paper, we expected to lose. A momentary lapse of concentration cost Leeds what would have been a well-earned draw – City had theirs and took it.
Leeds were intent on holding to their record, starting on the front foot, creating several chances in the first few minutes – Calvert-Lewin missing a sitter. You have to take your chances, and Leeds’ clinical finishing was left wanting. A momentary lapse of concentration leading to the City goal cost Leeds what would have been a well-earned draw.
From the half hour City got their act together and started to play the ball side ways repeatedly – it was as boring to watch as it sounds – Leeds used to intimidate teams in the Championship playing this way. But this is where City excel – as a unit, they simply didn’t lose the ball. They also press high, and Darlow was forced to kick high to Calvert-Lewin, who often lost it. The one time they had Aaronson could only manage a tame shot in a one-on-one with the keeper – another big chance missed.
But the Rodon, Struijk, and Justin kept the ball away from the goal. Towards the end of the first half, their tactic was to overload on the left and send a player racing into the goal past Bogle. In the two extra minutes, it worked, and the cut back was not defended. And City scored. If only Leeds had held on for one more minute.
Whilst Manchester City showed how they can patiently break down the organised Leeds defence in the first half, Leeds’ subs in the second half – Gnonto and James – gave Leeds width, creating more chances, but the dark tactics by City denied them. As the clock wound down, Leeds turned up the pressure, but every time the ball was in their penalty box, one of their players fell over, and the referee blew his whistle.
The referee also failed to acknowledge studs on Gruev – no foul, never mind a yellow card. And then there was a suspect handball. Although City got a yellow card for wasting time, the referee certainly looked like he was giving Leeds nothing.
At the final whistle the atmosphere in the ground became hostile with the whole stadium chanting that City cheated, and Farke earning himself a red card for speaking his mind to the officials, a rare event itself.
An altogether frustrating match but one that shows that Leeds can take on anyone in the premier league.
Man of the match: Gnonto and James added threat on the wings. But it was only Darlow that exelled all math with one fine save.
