LEEDS STUN CITY AT HOME

Leeds United recorded their biggest result of the season after they stunned leaders Manchester City at home despite playing more than half of the game with ten men. The Marcelo Bielsa-led team showed resilience, determination and character to secure a 2-1 victory at the home of Premier League champions-elect Manchester City.

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Ahead of the game, City knew that eleven points from the final seven league games will hand them a fifth Premier League crown and they were heavy favourites to get three points from the amount needed against Leeds United. Manchester City dominated the game but Leeds United were able to deliver a significant blow at the end of each half.

Leeds United were second best for the majority of the first half at the home of the Citizens but that didn’t stop them from taking the lead with three minutes left before the break. Northern Ireland international Stuart Dallas scored with a well taken shotoff the post to give the visitors the lead after he was found in the Manchester City box by Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford. That strike took his Premier League tally to six goals.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola had rested several of his big hitters for the game with an eye on the Borussia Dortmund game next week Wednesday. The Citizens travel to Dortmund for the second leg of their Champions League round of eight tie with a 2-1 lead from their home leg on Tuesday.

Guardiola started the likes of Ruben Dias, Kevin De Bruyne, RiyadMahrez, IlkayGundogan and Phil Foden on the bench. The quality on the pitch was unable to break down a disciplined Leeds United backline until the visitors scored through Dallas.

Leeds United gave themselves a lot of work to do after skipper Liam Cooper was sent off for an excessive challenge on City striker Gabriel Jesus. The red card came 150 minutes after the goal but they were able to hold on for a 1-0 scoreline at the interval.

City didn’t make the numerical advantage count until the 14 minutes from time when Spanish forward Ferran Torres equalisedoff the assist from teammate Bernardo Silva. Before the equaliser, Guardiola had unleashed topscorerGundogan and Foden on the 10-man Leeds United. Leeds United then stunned the league leaders with the winning goal in added time courtesy the impressive Dallas. The Northern Ireland man hit the winning goal superbly off the fantastic pass from England international Calvin Phillips.

10-man Leeds were able to inflict a fourth league defeat on Manchester City who missed out on the opportunity to move 17 points clear of Manchester United in second position on the table.

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