Leeds United were unable to bridge the gap in quality on Saturday night as they lost 1-0 to title contenders Manchester City. Antoine Semenyo’s first-half goal proved the decider as the Whites fell to a rare home defeat.
Leeds gave as good as they got for much of the first half but were cut open in a crucial moment. Rayan Ait-Nouri ran beyond Anton Stach and placed a perfect cross into the path of Semenyo to make it 1-0 seconds before the break.
City controlled large parts of the second-half without seriously threatening to double their lead. Farke threw on some attacking reinforcements as Leeds pressed for a leveller but it never came, despite a flurry of late pressure and the best efforts of those inside Elland Road.
YEP chief football writer Graham Smyth was at Elland Road to watch the action. Here are his Leeds United player ratings...
9 - Blameless for the goal but made some fantastic stops and his kicking was what it needed to be.
1. GK: Karl Darlow
9 - Blameless for the goal but made some fantastic stops and his kicking was what it needed to be. | Getty Images
7 - Started on the front foot and was aggressive. One of those taken out by Cherki's pass for the goal. Had a more difficult second half, couldn't get out.
2. RWB: Jayden Bogle
7 - Started on the front foot and was aggressive. One of those taken out by Cherki's pass for the goal. Had a more difficult second half, couldn't get out. | Getty Images
8 - Started like a man possessed, winning everything and playing good football. Another foxed by Cherki's pass. Not as dominant second half, still good.
3. CB: James Justin
8 - Started like a man possessed, winning everything and playing good football. Another foxed by Cherki's pass. Not as dominant second half, still good. | AFP via Getty Images
7 - Physical defending, sensible football. Good in the air. Couldn't win the aerial battle at the other end of the pitch from set-pieces.
4. CB: Joe Rodon
7 - Physical defending, sensible football. Good in the air. Couldn't win the aerial battle at the other end of the pitch from set-pieces. | AFP via Getty Images
8 - Some aggressive defending and really good passing. Aggressive in the air too.
5. CB: Pascal Struijk
8 - Some aggressive defending and really good passing. Aggressive in the air too. | AFP via Getty Images
8 - Showed his dribbling ability and pace to get forward and create problems. Unlucky to be penalised a few times and wasn't given a fair shake by the officials.
6. LWB: Gabriel Gudmundsson
8 - Showed his dribbling ability and pace to get forward and create problems. Unlucky to be penalised a few times and wasn't given a fair shake by the officials. | Getty Images