Leeds United suffered a defeat at home to end a three-match unbeaten run at the hands of Manchester City.
Daniel Farke’s side slipped to a 1-0 defeat against the Citizens, despite showing good fight under the lights at Elland Road.
As you might expect, going away to Leeds was made tough for Pep Guardiola's side. Despite only having 33% of the possession, they had 14 shots and managed to accumulate an expected goals tally of 1.47xG, to the visitor’s total of 1.77xG.
However, it was a goal in first-half stoppage time from City’s January signing, Antoine Semenyo, which was ultimately enough to break Leeds hearts. He got on the end of Rayan Ait-Nouri’s low cross to fire City ahead.
The home side had their chances to equalise, but simply could not find the back of the net. Jaka Bijol came close to heading home from an 88th-minute corner, but his effort went wide of the target.
Leeds could get nothing from the match, and Farke was sent off at full-time. The gap between them and 18th-place West Ham United remains at six points.
It was not to be for Farke’s men, with Brenden Aaronson one player who struggled.
Aaronson’s poor performance vs. Man City
It has been a disappointing campaign overall for American international Aaronson. The 25-year-old has only managed seven goals and assists in the top flight this term, and once again underwhelmed against City.
Aaronson-1
Operating as a left-midfielder in Leeds' 5-4-1 system, Aaronson struggled to get himself into the game. There was little he could do going forward, and he needed to help left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson out defensively at times.
He did have a huge moment in the first half, after being slipped through by Anton Stach. Being one-on-one with Gianluigi Donarumma is certainly not easy, and Aaronson failed to capitalise, with the Italian smothering his effort.
Donarumma
Overall, the American’s stats from the game show how tough of an evening it was for him. Hooked after 65 minutes by Farke, he had just 30 touches, missed that huge chance in the first 45 minutes and only won three out of 11 duels.
It was certainly a forgettable night at Elland Road for Aaronson, but he was arguably not as bad as one of his Leeds teammates.
Leeds’ worst player vs. Man City
For the second week in a row, it was a disappointing performance in midfield from Ilia Gruev. The Bulgarian failed to bounce back from his poor showing away to Aston Villa and looked a shadow of his best self in the middle of the park against the Citizens.
It was never going to be an easy task for Gruev or his midfield partner, Ethan Ampadu, coming up against the in-form Nico O’Reilly and Ballon d’Or winner Rodri. Yet, he struggled out of possession in particular and had little say on the ball.
He managed just 26 touches of the ball, fewer than Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow’s 39, and completed just 12 out of 16 passes. Without possession, the 25-year-old won just one out of seven duels and committed three fouls.
Gruev key stats vs. Man City
Stat
Touches
Passes completed
Fouls conceded
Ground duels won
Aeiral duels won
Tackles
Chances created
Stats from Fotmob
It will be interesting to see if Farke keep Gruev in the side for their next game, at home against fellow promoted side Sunderland. After two disappointing performances in a row, it would not be a surprise to see him dropped by the German.
There are options, too, if he decides to axe him from the starting lineup against the Black Cats. Two unused substitutes tonight were the midfield duo of Ao Tanaka and Sean Longstaff, who would both make apt replacements for the Bulgarian, and perhaps add more quality on the ball in the middle of the park.
Ilia-Gruev
With Tanaka and Longstaff at his disposal, Farke might well decide Gruev has not done enough to keep his place in the side in midweek.
It would not be a surprise if so, with the Whites needing more across the board to ensure they keep Premier League status next season.
archie-gray-tottenham Related
Better than Gray: Ex-Leeds star is now worth more than every player at Elland Road
Whilst Leeds haven't got a lot wrong on the transfer front, they will still be regretting the sale of one former gem.