A tale of two halves between Leeds United and Manchester City, as a spirited second-half display proved not enough after a late Phil Foden goal.
Phil Foden spoke out about Daniel Farke’s half-time tweak, which completely turned the game on its head as Leeds United overcame a two-goal deficit.
The disappointing start really proved to be the undoing of Leeds United, as an extremely ordinary start to the game had Man City breaking the record for the fastest goal this season.
Chris Sutton also spotted just how ‘odd’ it was to see Pascal Struijk almost looking content with the two-goal losing position as he took an age in the first-half.
These types of things can’t be happening if Leeds United are to stay in the Premier League, as the opposition week-in-week-out is simply too good.
Phil Foden gives Daniel Farke credit for his half-time switch🗣️
“It’s up there as one of the wildest games. We had full control in the first half. They changed their system in the second half and we couldn’t get going.”
Phil Foden after Leeds’ 3-2 loss to Man City
Pep Guardiola acknowledges Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha’s awkwardness up top
Daniel Farke made two substitutions in an attempt to mix things up at half-time and it certainly worked.
Jaka Bijol and Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on for Dan James and Willy Gnonto, resulting in a switch to three at the back, three across midfield and two up top.
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The show of intent from Farke worked fantastically, as Leeds found themselves level.
Pep Guardiola even took notice of the impact both strikers made in tandem during the second half, with both ending up on the scoresheet.
He said when speaking via the BBC.
“After Daniel [Farke] changed shape, long balls to Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha running behind, it was always a struggle. That emotion is part of the football. We had the chances and at the end finally we found our goal.”
Manchester City v Leeds United - Premier League
Photo by Shaun Brooks – CameraSport via Getty Images
Erling Haaland kept quiet at the Etihad
Erling Haaland was the man to watch heading into this afternoon’s clash. His 14 goals in 12 games will have no doubt resulted in plenty of the pre-match build-up being focused on how the Whites will nullify him.
Instead, the Leeds United defenders made him look rather ordinary.
STAT – Erling Haaland only had one shot in today’s match. Across all competitions, this is his joint-fewest shots in a home match for Manchester City when playing the full game 👏🏻
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN CITY-LEEDS
Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images
Just one shot all game is a big positive to take away from the game, despite picking up no points.
It’s now about keeping morale and confidence high, as two more tough challenges await against Liverpool and Chelsea, who have players equally as dangerous.
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