Manchester City v Leeds United Live Commentary & Result, 6/5/23, Premier League

Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	PTS	Form
1	MCI Manchester City	38	28	5	5	94	33	+61	89	L D W W W
2	ARS Arsenal	38	26	6	6	88	43	+45	84	W L L W W
3	MUN Manchester United	38	23	6	9	58	43	+15	75	W W W W L
4	NEW Newcastle United	38	19	14	5	68	33	+35	71	D D W D L
5	LIV Liverpool	38	19	10	9	75	47	+28	67	D D W W W
6	BHA Brighton & Hove Albion	38	18	8	12	72	53	+19	62	L D W L W
7	AVL Aston Villa	38	18	7	13	51	46	+5	61	W D W L L
8	TOT Tottenham Hotspur	38	18	6	14	70	63	+7	60	W L L W L
9	BRE Brentford	38	15	14	9	58	46	+12	59	W W W L W
10	FUL Fulham	38	15	7	16	55	53	+2	52	L D W W L
11	CRY Crystal Palace	38	11	12	15	40	49	-9	45	D D W L W
12	CHE Chelsea	38	11	11	16	38	47	-9	44	D L L D W
13	WOL Wolverhampton Wanderers	38	11	8	19	31	58	-27	41	L D L W L
14	WHU West Ham United	38	11	7	20	42	55	-13	40	L W L W L
15	BOU AFC Bournemouth	38	11	6	21	37	71	-34	39	L L L L W
16	NFO Nottingham Forest	38	9	11	18	38	68	-30	38	D W D W L
17	EVE Everton	38	8	12	18	34	57	-23	36	W D L W D
18	LEI Leicester City	38	9	7	22	51	68	-17	34	W D L L D
19	LEE Leeds United	38	7	10	21	48	78	-30	31	L L D L L
20	SOU Southampton	38	6	7	25	36	73	-37	25	D L L L L

That's all from us, we hope you enjoyed the game. Until the next one rolls around, it's goodbye from us!

Three important points for City extends their lead at the top of the table to four points, though this game has brought them level with Arsenal in terms of matches played. with both sides now having just four games left, it's a straight shoot-out for the title, but now on a 10-game winning run, City are in the driving seat. Another loss for Leeds makes it five defeats in their last six, but the resolve shown to bring this game back into the balance, as well as still being above the relegation zone on goal difference, could give Sam Allardyce's side the impetus they need to stay in the top-flight.

Unlike in the reverse fixture at Elland Road, Erling Haaland was unable to find the net against the club from the city of his birth. The record-breaking striker had six attempts in total, accumulating an xG of 0.89, but Robles and the woodwork both denied him twice each. Engaging in eight duels, Haaland won five including three in the air, and also won possession twice via a tackle and interception apiece. His 35-goal record for the season will no doubt be extended before the campaign is over, but with four games left, the Norwegian will be hoping for some better strokes of luck next time around.

City hold on to claim all three points at the Etihad, but their own complacency made the latter stages of the game much closer than they needed to be! Chances aplenty went amiss for the hosts, with Haaland twice striking the woodwork, as well as drawing saves from Robles along with Mahrez. The Norwegian passed up penalty duties for Gundogan to make it three late on, but the captain was denied his hat-trick from the spot by hitting the woodwork! This galvanised Leeds, who capitalised on some sloppy defending to pull one back through Rodrigo less than a minute later. That late strike set up a shaky end to the game for City, but Guardiola's side were able to see the latter stages out, and edged ever-closer to a fourth Premier League title in five years.

90' + 5' FULL-TIME: MANCHESTER CITY 2-1 LEEDS UNITED.

90' + 5' We're past the allocated time, but City aren't in the mood to stop playing and Haaland's burst down the right wins them a late corner.

Rodri

İ. Gündoğan

90' + 3' Gundogan comes off for City having failed to notch a hat-trick, and Rodri will see out the game at the base of midfield for the hosts.

W. McKennie

Yellow Card

90' + 3' McKennie loses the ball in midfield and Gundogan skips away into space. Leeds' defence is soon outnumbered, but the City attack is halted after McKennie takes Gundogan down and receives a late yellow card.

90' We'll play four additional minutes at the Etihad, as a suddenly nervy City aim to preserve their lead.

89' It's the second time in the Premier League that Gundogan has scored twice in a Premier League game and also failing to score a penalty, doing so against Liverpool in February 2021. Haaland has become the customary spot-kick taker for the Citizens since, and there's no doubt that Pep Guardiola will have something to say about his captain's miss at full-time.

Bernardo Silva

J. Álvarez

87' Alvarez comes off in City's latest change, and Bernardo Silva will replace the World Cup winner for the last moments of this suddenly tight game!

86' Just 58 seconds came Ilkay Gundogan's penalty miss for City, and Rodrigo scoring his 12th league goal of the season for Leeds. Costly.

Rodrigo

Goal

85' GOOOOOAAAALLL!!! All of a sudden, Leeds are back in this!! A horrible goal from City's point of view, who fail to clear before Akanji loses the ball on the edge of the box. Rodrigo profits to race in behind, and strokes the ball beyond Ederson to give Leeds a lifeline! 2-1 with five minutes of normal time to go, and this game is far from over yet!

İ. Gündoğan

Penalty Miss

84' GUNDOGAN MISSES!!! The City captain, who is on a hat-trick, steps up to take the penalty instead of Haaland, but his low effort strikes the base of Robles' left-hand post and rattles back out! A golden chance to go 3-0 up missed, and will that come back to bite City?

83' PENALTY TO CITY!!! Foden glides between Aaronson and Kristensen before darting into the box, but Struijk races across to nudge him to the floor! Not much contact, but more than enough to give a penalty, which the referee does without hesitation!

81' Lewis picks up possession in space and tries his luck from 30 yards, but the ball is always rising as he sends his shot way over the bar!

P. Struijk

A. Forshaw

80' Forshaw's first league start of 2023 also comes to an end, as Pascal Struijk is introduced to bolster Leeds' defence late on.

B. Aaronson

P. Bamford

80' Bamford is next off for Leeds having had whatever the opposite of "service" is up front, and Brenden Aaronson will replace the one-cap Englishman in the Whites' frontline.

79' Haaland turns and passes to release Foden down the left. The England forward's first-time cross is hit low into the box, but Wober slides across to put the ball behind for a corner.

77' De Bruyne whips another teasing ball into the danger area, with Haaland once again the target. Robles comes to punch but misses the ball entirely, though Haaland can't get there either and the ball rolls out of play.

75' Foden's pass in behind Leeds' defence is aimed for Haaland to latch onto, but the Norwegian can't get there and Robles collects for the visitors.

74' City have already attempted a whopping 698 passes in this game, with brace-scoring captain Gundogan managing 153 alone. Dominant.

72' SAVED!!! Mahrez's free-kick from the right is drilled low into the area. It bypasses the wall and whips through the crowd to Robles, who is able to stop and hold the ball right on his goal-line!

Rodrigo

Yellow Card

71' Mahrez slips in De Bruyne, racing down the byline, but the City midfielder is caught late by Rodrigo and the Leeds United forward goes into the book.

69' Walker has advanced up the right flank and squares for Alvarez from the byline. McKennie slides in to block the Argentine's shot, but Alvarez is able to recollect possession on the right and City will come right back at Leeds.

67' Forshaw takes Haaland down right on the edge of Leeds' box, but Mahrez's rather tame strike from the free-kick hits the visitors' wall and bounces behind for a City corner.

C. Summerville

J. Harrison

65' Harrison comes off having also been starved of possession against his former employers, and the Leeds winger is replaced by Crysencio Summerville as we approach the final stages of the game.

64' Leeds have been somewhat brighter so far in the second half, but they've still paled in comparison to the quality City possess when on the ball. Haaland alone has twice struck the woodwork, with Guardiola's side in no rush to take any risks as they carve out copious chances.

62' AGAIN HE STRIKES THE WOODWORK!!! Haaland collects Lewis' pass on the turn and shoots first-time from the edge of the box. It beats Robles and rolls towards goal, but shaves the post once more and bounces behind for a goal kick!

61' Manchester City had 76.1 per cent possession over the opening 15 minutes of the second period, but have yet been unable to add to their two first-half goals.

59' CHANCE!!! Firpo's long pass finds its way through to Harrison, who looks to step beyond Akanji but can't beat the City defender into the box before Ederson smothers possession!

S. Greenwood

Marc Roca

58' Roca also comes off for Leeds, and is replaced in midfield by youngster Sam Greenwood.

Rodrigo

W. Gnonto

58' Gnonto comes off having been able to spend very little time on the ball, and he's replaced in attack by Leeds' top scorer this season, Rodrigo.

58' Forshaw finds space in midfield and links up with Ayling on the right-hand touchline. He crosses to the far post, where Bamford's attempted header ricochets off Lewis and goes behind.

56' Haaland has had five shots without scoring so far, only against Liverpool in October (six) has he had more for Manchester City in a game without scoring.

K. Walker

N. Aké

54' Ake has pulled up with what appears to be a hamstring strain, and not wanting to take any chances with big games coming up, Pep Guardiola brings on Kyle Walker to replace the Dutchman.

53' SAVED!! Alvarez slips behind the Leeds defence and crosses from the byline. Haaland rises to head goalwards, but the effort is straight at Robles and the goalkeeper makes the save!

52' Firpo floats a long pass to the edge of City's box. Bamford is the target, but Ederson races off his line to head the ball away from danger!

50' Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 41 Premier League games when leading at half-time, dating back to May 2021 against Brighton, while they've now kept their opposition from scoring in 25 of their 34 matches this season, the most in the division.

48' OFF THE BAR!!! De Bruyne swings a deep free-kick into Leeds' box, and Laporte heads the ball across the face. It bounces up for Haaland, who arrives onto the ball at speed and bullets a close-range header off the crossbar and back out again! That's now a hat-trick of misses for the Norwegian, whose embarrassment is spared by the raising of the offside flag against Laporte.

47' Manchester City completed 437 passes in the first half, with this being the most any side has completed in the first half of a Premier League game this season. Precession.

46' Haaland resumes the second half at the Etihad, and we're back up and running in Manchester.

We're back and ready for the second half, with City looking to have this game sewn up as soon as possible - if it isn't already.

Gundogan's two first-half goals came from his only attempts in the first 45 minutes, with the Manchester City captain also making a game-high 19 final third entries. Gundogan has completed more passes (92) than the entire Leeds team combined, with 36 of these coming in the final third. The Germany midfielder has been successful two of his three duels, as well as winning possession a game-high eight times. Ease.

Hosts Manchester City lead by two at the break, and it easily could, and perhaps should, be more. Mahrez and Gundogan have twice linked up for the latter to score both of the Sky Blues' goals, though City have also gone close through Alvarez, Haaland and Foden. Leeds have played almost entirely into City's hands, lacking a coherent press and being cut open at almost every opportunity, though McKennie's header from a corner did draw a save from Ederson. A two-goal lead is by no means insurmountable, but given the way both sides are playing, it looks almost impossible for Leeds to get anything out of this, as City storm towards a 10th straight victory.

45' + 3' HALF-TIME: MANCHESTER CITY 2-0 LEEDS UNITED.

45' + 3' WIDE!!! De Bruyne's free-kick finds Ake at the far post, but Wober heads his goalbound header away. Foden's waiting on the edge of the box though, and lashes a left-footed volley just wide of the same upright! That would've been one hell of a way to cap off the first half for City!

W. Gnonto

Yellow Card

45' + 2' Mahrez spins away from Gnonto but is caught from behind by the Italian forward, and Leeds' promising teenager is shown the game's first yellow card.

45' We'll play two additional minutes to close out a first half which has been close to the dictionary definition of 'one-sided'.

44' Leeds' first real spell on the front foot is brought to an abrupt end by Alvarez, who plays a one-two with De Bruyne to set City away on the counter. Haaland charges through the middle, but Alvarez takes too long to release the ball, eventually finding Mahrez down the right as Leeds recover in numbers.

42' Roca switches play wide to the left for Leeds, but he's caught late by a sliding Akanji as he passes, giving Leeds a free-kick on halfway.

40' City have lost just two of their last 60 Premier League games in the Saturday 3pm kick-off slot, with both of those losses coming at home to Crystal Palace (in December 2018 and October 2021).

38' BLOCKED!!! Wober heads one De Bruyne cross away for Leeds, but a relentless City come right back at the Peacocks. The Belgian's ball back into the area is made a mess of by Kristensen, who scrambles to recover and block Haaland's shot behind for a corner!

37' Leeds lost four Premier League matches by three or more goals in April, having only done so once before (5-2 at Brentford) in 2022-23. They were only the second side to suffer that many defeats by at least three goals in a month in Premier League history, along with Swansea City in December 2016.

35' CHANCE!!! De Bruyne turns and puts Haaland in behind the Leeds defence with ease, but the City striker mis-kicks his right-footed shot, and luckily for Leeds can't get it on target!

34' Manchester City have now scored 43 first-half goals in 34 games, more than any other team in the Premier League this season.

32' CHANCE!!! Akanji floats a ball into the centre which Robles come out for. Kristensen gets in the way though, and Robles drops the ball right at the feed of Alvarez! He shoots early, but Robles reacts quickly to make the save and keep hold of the ball!

30' OFF THE LINE!!! Gundogan's cross-field pass finds Foden in Leeds' box, and his close-range finish from a tight angle is parried by Robles! Alvarez follows in for City, but his shot is scooped off the line by Wober before the offside flag goes up!

29' SAVED!!! Leeds win their first corner of the match, which Roca swings into the box. McKennie arrives at the far post to head downwards, and Ederson has to react quickly to tip the ball away before Akanji clears!

R. Mahrez

Assist

27' The dynamic duo of Mahrez and Gundogan combine once more, with an identical result to the last time the pair linked up on the edge of Leeds' box.

İ. Gündoğan

Goal

27' GOOOOOAAALLL!!! City double their lead with a near-identical goal to the first!!! Haaland drops to the edge of the box and engages several defenders before freeing up Mahrez. With few options in a crowded Leeds box, the Algerian again finds Gundogan on the edge, who takes a touch before firing another low shot into the opposite corner! The City machine purring with ever-efficient quality, and it's 2-0 to the oh so dominant hosts.

26' De Bruyne is sandwiched between the respective challenges of Roca and McKennie, with all three players hitting the deck and bringing the game to a halt.

24' WIDE!!! What a chance for City!! Gundogan's lofted ball into the box is flicked by De Bruyne into the path of Haaland, but the striker's first-time shot is thumped an inch wide of the post!

22' OVER!!! De Bruyne finds Foden at the back post, who can only cross from the tightest of angles. The ball sails over the top and finds Mahrez on the other side, whose half-volley loops beyond Robles and lands on top of the net!

20' City have now scored in each of their last 32 league games at the Etihad, and have won 12 of the 13 matches in which they've taken the lead at home this season.

R. Mahrez

Assist

19' Mahrez's been a constant threat down that right-hand side so far and has caused Firpo more than a few problems, with Gundogan's cool finish turning the latest of his dangerous crosses into the opener.

İ. Gündoğan

Goal

19' GOOOOAAAALLL!!! City take their routine lead!!! De Bruyne's wide pass is collected by Mahrez, who beats Firpo and squares for Gundogan. The captain arrives late and hits the shot low, slotting it right into the bottom corner!! Robles unmoved, City unstoppable, and the reigning champions lead 1-0 inside the first 20 minutes.

18' Robles is starting his first Premier League game since May 2017, for Everton against Arsenal. It's the first time Leeds have started without Illan Meslier in goal for a league game since May 2021, ending the Frenchman's 72-game run of consecutive league starts - the longest current streak in the competition.

17' SAVED!!! Lewis' ball in behind deflects straight into Haaland's path, but the City striker's low shot from the left is parried away by Robles!

16' OVER!!! De Bruyne finds space down the right and drills a low ball into the centre of the box. Alvarez is the target, but his first-time effort is smashed over the bar!

15' CHANCE!!! De Bruyne threads a throughball into the Leeds box, with both Foden and Haaland after it. However, the two City forwards get in each other's way and neither pulls the trigger before the ball rolls behind!

14' Leeds set a new Premier League record for goals conceded in a month during April, shipping 23 goals in seven games. It was the most by a top-flight side in one month since Birmingham City back in April 1965 (also 23), and broke Leeds' own Premier League record of 20, set during the last month of Marcelo Bielsa's reign in February 2022.

12' Mahrez takes on Firpo before teeing up De Bruyne, whose first-time finish from the edge of the area is blocked away to safety by Wober!

11' Foden makes a late run to the back post and Gundogan looks for him, but his throughball is overhit and Foden can't prevent it rolling behind.

10' Despite losing this exact fixture 7-0 last season, Leeds haven't lost consecutive away league games to Manchester City since April and November 1992.

8' Bamford and Harrison link up on the edge of the box and the latter scoops the ball into the area. Bamford chases hard, but Ederson rushes out to claim the ball before Leeds' number nine can get there.

7' Foden's clipped cross from the left takes a nick off Ayling and bypasses Kristensen, before Wober shanks it behind for the first corner of the game.

6' City have won their last three Premier League games against Leeds, as many times as they'd beaten them in their previous 15 meetings, and doing so by an aggregate score of 14-1, with last season's clash at the Etihad finishing 7-0 to the hosts.

4' De Bruyne whips a deep free-kick into the area for City, but Ayling heads it clear for Leeds, who have hardly had a touch of the ball inside the first four minutes.

2' Foden chests a long ball down for Haaland, who swivels and shoots first-time from 25 yards but can only send the ball sailing over the crossbar.

1' Bamford kicks off for Leeds, and we're off and running in this crucial game at both ends of the table!

The teams head out onto the pitch, and we're nearly ready for kick-off at the Etihad!

Sam Allardyce’s first game in charge of Leeds sees him make four changes to the side defeated 4-1 at Bournemouth in their last match. Under-fire goalkeeper Illan Meslier is replaced by Joel Robles between the sticks, while Adam Forshaw, Junior Firpo and Maximilian Wober all return to bolster the spine of the team.

Erling Haaland broke Alan Shearer’s 28-year-old record in City’s 3-0 over West Ham at the Etihad last time out, notching his 35th league goal of the campaign to become the greatest single-season scorer in Premier League history. The Leeds-born Norwegian, whose father Alf-Inge played for both clubs, starts up front for Pep Guardiola’s side, who otherwise make seven changes, including the return of Kevin de Bruyne.

LEEDS UNITED SUBS: Illan Meslier, Robin Koch, Brenden Aaronson, Crysencio Summerville, Rodrigo Moreno, Pascal Struijk, Georginio Rutter, Sam Greenwood, Archie Gray.

LEEDS UNITED (3-4-2-1): Joel Robles; Rasmus Kristensen, Maximilian Wober, Junior Firpo; Luke Ayling, Adam Forshaw, Marc Roca, Jack Harrison; Weston McKennie, Wilfried Gnonto; Patrick Bamford.

MANCHESTER CITY SUBS: Stefan Ortega, Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Kalvin Phillips, John Stones, Jack Grealish, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Sergio Gomez.

MANCHESTER CITY (3-2-4-1): Ederson; Manuel Akanji, Aymeric Laporte, Nathan Ake; Rico Lewis, Ilkay Gundogan; Riyad Mahrez, Julian Alvarez, Kevin de Bruyne, Phil Foden; Erling Haaland.

Leeds’ season, on the other hand, appears to be falling apart at the seams. Four defeats in their last five games, including scorelines of 5-1, 6-1 and 4-1, saw new manager Javi Gracia sacked after just 11 games in charge, with Victor Orta, the club’s director of football, following him out of the door. In the former’s place came none other than Sam Allardyce, with the veteran Englishman charged with keeping the Peacocks in the top-flight over the next four games.

A nine-game winning streak has seen City soar to the summit of this season’s Premier League, overtaking Arsenal to lead the Gunners by a point with a game in hand. Unbeaten since mid-February, the Sky Blues have won 11 of their last 12 games, and victory in this game would extend the gap at the top to four points with four matches left to play.

Hello, and welcome to live coverage of this Premier League fixture, as leaders Manchester City host relegation-threatened Leeds United at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City v Leeds United Live Commentary, 6/5/23

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