Manchester City's recent Premier League encounter against Leeds United at the Etihad Stadium was a rollercoaster, ultimately ending in a 3-2 victory for the home side, rescued by a late Phil Foden goal. The win, however, was far from convincing, and perhaps, hardly deserved.
City started the match with explosive intent, as Phil Foden found the net within the first minute, marking the fastest Premier League goal this season. The goal, a well-worked team effort, saw Matheus Nunes play a crucial role in assisting Foden's volley. The early advantage seemed to set the stage for a comfortable afternoon for Pep Guardiola's men. In the 25th minute, Josko Gvardiol extended City's lead, capitalizing on a corner delivered by Foden. At this point, City appeared to be in complete control, dominating proceedings and creating further chances.
However, the second half saw a dramatic shift in momentum. Leeds United, revitalized after the break, mounted a spirited comeback. Substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin made an immediate impact, pulling a goal back for Leeds in the 49th minute, following a defensive error from Nunes. The visitors continued to press, and their efforts were rewarded when Gvardiol fouled Calvert-Lewin in the penalty box. Lukas Nmecha, a former Man City player, stepped up to take the penalty. Although his initial shot was saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma, Nmecha slotted home the rebound, leveling the score.
City were visibly shaken by Leeds' resurgence and struggled to regain control of the game. Frustration grew as the clock ticked down, and the possibility of dropping points loomed large. Just as it seemed the match was destined for a draw, Phil Foden stepped up once again to rescue his team. In the first minute of added time, Foden found space and unleashed a precise, low drive from just outside the box, sending the ball into the bottom corner. The goal sparked wild celebrations at the Etihad, securing a vital, but arguably undeserved, three points for City.
Despite Foden's heroics, City's overall performance raised concerns. After impressive wins earlier in November, recent losses to Newcastle and Leverkusen had already dented their momentum. The struggle against a struggling Leeds side further highlighted inconsistencies in City's play. Maintaining possession, once a hallmark of Guardiola's team, proved difficult, with numerous turnovers gifting opportunities to the opposition. Erling Haaland, the Premier League's top scorer, also had an unusually quiet game, failing to find the net for the third consecutive match.
Following the match, Foden described the game as "one of the wildest" he's been involved in. He expressed his hunger to score and make amends for missed chances in previous games. Foden's two goals were vital in overcoming a resilient Leeds side and preventing a three-match winless run.
The victory propelled Manchester City to second place in the Premier League table, closing the gap on leaders Arsenal to four points. However, Guardiola will undoubtedly be looking for a more convincing and controlled performance from his team in their upcoming fixtures.
