🟨 A Chaotic Afternoon at the Etihad
Manchester City survived a thrilling scare to edge Leeds United 3–2, but the post-match spotlight fell on Erling Haaland, who looked visibly frustrated despite the victory.
Phil Foden’s injury-time winner rescued City after they collapsed under Leeds’ second-half pressure. The match, which City had controlled early, turned into a tense battle filled with defensive mistakes and tactical confusion.
🟨 Leeds Shock City After Halftime
City were dominant in the first half. Foden scored inside the opening minute, and Joško Gvardiol doubled the advantage from a corner. With Leeds offering little resistance, the champions appeared set for a routine win.
However, Leeds returned from the break with a new shape and renewed intensity. Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored immediately, and Lukas Nmecha equalised from a rebound after Gianluigi Donnarumma saved his penalty.
City’s defence struggled to cope with Leeds’ aggressive front line. The momentum shift forced Pep Guardiola to intervene urgently.
🟨 Guardiola’s Tactical Reset Raises Questions
During a break in play, Donnarumma went down for treatment. Leeds manager Daniel Farke later suggested the injury pause acted as a “tactical timeout,” giving Guardiola time to reorganise his struggling side.
City regrouped, adjusted their press, and regained a measure of control. Foden then delivered the decisive moment, scoring in the 91st minute with a sharp finish into the bottom corner.
🟨 Haaland’s Frustration Becomes a Talking Point
After the match, cameras captured Haaland looking upset as he spoke with Guardiola. The striker avoided eye contact at first, but eventually cracked a smile after an extended discussion.
Haaland has not scored since early November, and City’s recent losses to Newcastle and Bayer Leverkusen have increased pressure on their attack. Although City won, the Norwegian clearly expected more from both himself and the team.
🟨 A Warning Pep Can Not Ignore
While City earned three points, the second-half collapse raised concerns about consistency and defensive organisation. Guardiola admitted his team must “improve urgency and clarity” if they hope to keep pace in the title race.
For Leeds, the spirited performance offers optimism. They exposed City’s vulnerabilities and pushed one of Europe’s strongest teams to the brink.
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