Manchester City passed another key test on their way to the Premier League title by seeing off Leeds United with a 2-1 win on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola’s men know there is little margin for error as they chase down the title, with Arsenal keeping up the pressure until now. But they showed little sign of nerves at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, despite a late scare, seeing off strugglers Leeds with relative comfort. Ilkay Gundogan scored the opener after a smart Riyad Mahrez cut-back, and the two repeated the trick eight minutes later, in the 27th minute, to score again, only from a little further out.
City controlled proceedings throughout and continued to test, but Leeds held on, working hard to limit damage, given how important goal difference could be in their battle for survival. Leeds didn’t make it easy, but it proved to be a frustrating day for Erling Haaland, who couldn’t find his scoring touch. Gundogan had no such issues, but he did miss the chance to score a hat-trick late on, hitting the post with a penalty.
That miss, and a mistake from Manuel Akanji, allowed Leeds to get back into the game late on when Rodrigo Moreno slotted home, but it still proved to be a pretty comfortable afternoon for City on the whole.
Here we rate the players from the victory.
1. Ederson - 7
Little to do in general, but quick to race out and shut down danger whenever it emerged.
2. Nathan Ake (Off 53) - 7
Little to do defensively in the first-half, but did well to step forward, at times. Made way shortly after half-time with an injury, although it didn’t look too serious.
3. Manuel Akanji - 6
Made up ground rapidly whenever Leeds did create a rare threat. A dominant display until his error which allowed Leeds back into the game late on.
4. Aymeric Laporte - 6
The odd loose pass, but generally solid.