Manchester City

Man City player ratings vs Leeds: Breathtaking Ilkay Gundogan should have scored a hat-trick!

Richard Martin
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Ilkay Gundogan celebrate Manchester City Leeds 2022-23
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The German midfielder fired Man City to victory with two lethal finishes but then missed a penalty in a quality display that should have been better

If Ilkay Gungogan ends up leaving Manchester City this summer when his contract runs out, they are going to miss him. The German midfielder is not City's most prolific player by any stretch of the imagination but he sure knows where the goals is, as he proved with two ruthless first-half finishes in the 2-1 win over Leeds, showing excellent movement each time while combining with Riyad Mahrez.

But he will be kicking himself for not completing a hat-trick, hitting the post from the penalty spot after Erling Haaland, to Pep Guardiola's fury, had generously handed him the ball. Just when City had expected to take a three-goal lead, they had their advantage reduced to just one goal, Rodrigo pouncing on a poor clearance by Manuel Akanji to score in the 85th minute moments after the penalty miss.

City suddenly seemed nervous but they had little reason to be. Leeds barely threatened them in the remaining minutes plus stoppage time, thanks to the visitors' one-dimensional football under new manager Sam Allardyce.

It was City's 10th league win in a row, Guardiola's group making machine-like work of opponents to take control of the title race.

GOAL rates Man City's players from an anxious Etihad Stadium...

Editors' Picks

  1. Goalkeeper & Defence
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    Goalkeeper & Defence

    Ederson (6/10):

    Only needed to make one save, from Weston McKennie's header, and was put under hardly any pressure by Leeds' forwards when playing out.

    Manuel Akanji (7/10)

    Rarely tested by Patrick Bamford and Wilfried Gnonto and linked defence and midfield with precise passing.

    Aymeric Laporte (6/10):

    Not as commanding as Ruben Dias but did not have much to think about due to Leeds' negative tactics.

    Nathan Ake (7/10):

    Another strong performance in his second game since returning from injury. Very physical and created a few attacks with searching balls forward.

  2. Midfield
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    Midfield

    Rico Lewis (6/10):

    His lack of experience showed on a few occasions in the first half but grew into the game and showed real confidence on the ball.

    Ilkay Gundogan (8/10):

    Got his goalscoring touch back with two precision finishes, one into each bottom corner. And this was despite playing most of the game as a deep lying or defensive midfielder. Loses a mark for hitting the post from his penalty, missing the chance to score his first hat-trick for City.

    Kevin De Bruyne (8/10):

    Refreshed after 10 days out of the team following a knock against Arsenal. Although he was not carving the opposition open this time, he played just as crucial a role dictating the play.

  4. Attack
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    Attack

    Riyad Mahrez (8/10):

    Dazzled Leeds down the right hand side, carving them upon and easily feeding Gundogan for both goals. Has four assists in his last three appearances.

    Julian Alvarez (5/10):

    Struggled to get much space behind Leeds' deep defence and had a second quiet game in a row after his match-winning performance against Fulham.

    Erling Haaland (5/10):

    A very rare bad day at the office. Missed the target with a clear early chance, one of four occasions in six shots when he failed to test Joel Robles. Angered Guardiola by not taking the penalty.

    Phil Foden (7/10):

    Lively down the left hand side and won the penalty.

  5. Subs & Manager
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    Subs & Manager

    Kyle Walker (6/10):

    Barely tested down his right side after coming on and the goal had nothing to do with him.

    Rodrigo (N/A):

    Came on in stoppage time.

    Bernardo Silva (N/A):

    Came on in stoppage time.

    Pep Guardiola (7/10):

    Rested six key players for the Real Madrid visit and his side looked untroubled for the vast majority of the game until Rodrigo's goal.