After the Premier League title challengers blew a two-goal lead in a dramatic 3-2 victory over lowly Leeds on Saturday, Phil Foden saved Manchester City’s blushes with the final-gasp winner.
Following a second-half collapse at the Etihad Stadium, Pep Guardiola’s side was in danger of losing more ground in the title race.
Before the break, Foden and Josko Gvardiol gave City a lead, but third-bottom Leeds rallied with Lukas Nmecha and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Four points clear of Arsenal, who travel to third-placed Chelsea on Sunday, thanks to Foden’s nerve-wracking victory, which put City in second place.
Following recent home defeats against Newcastle last weekend and Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday, this was a much-needed victory.
Guardiola’s ten changes to Leverkusen against Leverkusen were ineffective, leading to the furious Spaniard who claimed his team “didn’t try” in the 2-0 defeat.
Read more about Chelsea’s “Deserve” To Be Considered Title Rivals – Arteta.
Foden, Erling Haaland, Bernardo Silva, and Gianluigi Donnarumma were just a few players who started for City against Leeds.
Under Guardiola, City had a second-worst campaign in five years and their worst.
However, they were only 59 seconds in before Foden fired a close-range strike past the bar after Matheus Nunes’ burst caused the Leeds defense to collapse.
City’s quick start left Leeds without a response, and Gvardiol’s tap-in from Nico O’Reilly’s header in the 25th minute appeared to have given them complete control.
After a VAR check, Leeds’ protests that Silva was offside and blocking keeper Lucas Perri’s view were ignored. The goal was allowed to stand.
After pouncing on Nunes’ woeful pass inside the City area in the 49th minute, Calvert-Lewin made an immediate impact by coming off the bench and reducing the deficit with a clinical finish.
In the 68th minute, Gvardiol fouled Calvert-Lewin, giving Leeds the shock equalizer.
Donnarumma saved Nmecha’s penalty, but the forward recovered and won.
Haaland was unusually quiet as he attempted his 100th top-flight goal, but Foden took advantage of the opportunity in stoppage-time by cleverly making room for an ice-cool finish as Guardiola sighed relief.
Daniel Farke’s job became more underwhelmed by Leeds’ sixth defeat in their previous seven games.
Igor Thiago’s double earned Brentford’s 3-1 win over Burnley in west London, contributing to their 11 league goals this season.
Axel Tuanzebe cut down Dango Ouattara in the 81st minute, and Thiago scored with the spot kick for his eighth goal in his last eight games.
Four minutes later, second-bottom Burnley won a penalty thanks to Michael Kayode’s foul on Jaidon Anthony and Zian Flemming’s equalizer.
In stoppage-time, Thiago scored with a fierce finish from Jordan Henderson’s cross and Ouattara’s rocket to put the result beyond doubt.
After coming back from two goals down to defeat Bournemouth 3-2 at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland moved up to fourth place.
After seven minutes, Amine Adli slotted home from the rebound after Evanilson’s shot hit the post.
Eight minutes later, Tyler Adams magically lofted a superb chip over Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs from inside the center circle to double Bournemouth’s lead.
Sunderland, who had been promoted from the Championship last year, refused to surrender, and Enzo Le Fee converted a penalty after Alex Scott fouled Reinildo Mandava.
With a composed finish from Granit Xhaka’s pass, Bertrand Traore equalized for Sunderland in the 46th minute.
In the 69th minute, Brian Brobbey headed in Le Fee’s cross to finish Sunderland’s stirring revival.
Tottenham host Fulham on Saturday, while Newcastle travel to Everton on Saturday.
Source: Channels TV
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