Manchester City went four points clear of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League after beating relegation-fighting team Leeds United 2-0 with a pair of near-identical goals from İlkay Gündoğan. Man City stretched their winning league run to 10 games after this important victory at the Etihad. Their last longer winning streak was from 6th November 2021 to 15th January 2022, a run of 12 games. Read the match report of the Man City vs Leeds United clash and share your thoughts in the comments.
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Man City vs Leeds United: Premier League 2022/23 Match Report
First Half:
Manchester City kept possession for the entire half, as expected from Guardiola's inform team. City tried to penetrate Leeds' defence right from the beginning. Kevin de Bruyne & Alvarez operated from the midfield. Kdb played more like a number 10 while Alvarez often positioned him as the second striker behind Haaland. İlkay Gündoğan played like a no 8 as Pep constructed the lineup more like a 3-2-4-1. Man City started on a high with a goal in the 19th minute of the game. İlkay Gündoğan registered his name on the scoresheet. His right-footed shot from the centre of the box ended in the bottom right corner. Mahrez got the assist as City got an early lead against Leeds.
Erling Haaland's left-footed shot from the centre of the box was close, but he missed as the ball flew away from the right side of the post. It was a great chance to double the lead in under 2 minutes. Man City didn't have to wait longer as İlkay Gündoğan struck again in the 27th minute. It was again Mahrez who provided the assist and Gündoğan made no mistake but his right-footed shot outside the box ended in the bottom left corner.
Leeds counter-attacked but failed to make an impact and the game became physical after they conceded the second goal. Wilfried Gnonto got a yellow card for a bad foul to Mahrez in the later stages of the first half. Manchester City got nothing from the setpiece as the first half ended with a 2-0 scoreline.
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Man City vs Leeds United: Premier League 2022/23 Match Report
Second Half:
The second half began with the same intensity as before. Leeds sat back while Man City kept possession. City got a blow as Nathan Aké had to leave the field for an injury. Kyle Walkers replaced him in the 55th minute and he played as a right back while Ake was changing positions regularly. Phil Foden won a penalty in the box after Pascal Struijk's foul. Ilkay Gündogan missed the penalty in the 84th minute as he struck the right post with a right-footed shot.
Rodrigo's left-footed shot from the centre of the box ended in the bottom left corner in the 85th minute. His late goal made it a nervy ending for the Premier League leaders but City got away with a positive result.
With four games left, Pep Guardiola's side have 82 points to Arsenal's 78, and if the Gunners lose to Newcastle on Sunday City will have all but locked up a third consecutive title. Leeds played their first game under interim manager Sam Allardyce who was parachuted in a last-ditch effort to avoid relegation. They are reeling in 17th place - and all three teams below them have a game in hand.