Manchester City vs Leeds Review
Leeds United showed great determination to come back from a 2-0 halftime deficit, but they ultimately couldn’t secure a point at the Etihad Stadium, losing 3-2 to Manchester City thanks to goals from Phil Foden at both the beginning and end of the match. Following disappointing defeats to Newcastle and Leverkusen, Manchester City quickly set out to secure their sixth consecutive Premier League home win. Less than a minute into the game, Matheus Nunes delivered a cross into the box, which Phil Foden expertly controlled and finished with a precise shot into the top of the Leeds goal.
In the 25th minute when Joško Gvardiol scored on the rebound after Leeds failed to clear a Foden corner. His first goal of the 2025/26 season had to be confirmed by a VAR review. Leeds coach Daniel Farke had previously faced criticism for not making proactive substitutions, but after replacing Daniel James with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, he responded impressively. Almost out of nowhere, Leeds equalized just four minutes after the second half began, with Calvert-Lewin firing a low shot inside the left post after a rebound. Leeds then gained the upper hand for the next few minutes.
Calvert-Lewin earned a penalty around the 75th minute after Gvardiol fouled him inside the penalty area. Lukas Nmecha took the spot-kick, and although his first shot was saved, he scored on the rebound, leveling the match. Leeds’ main goal was to hold on for a draw, but they failed in the first minute of stoppage time when Foden scored from the edge of the box, assisted by Rayan Cherki. It was a dramatic escape for City, who still entered December four points behind league leaders Arsenal, while Leeds face the prospect of being three points from safety by the final month of 2025.
