Leeds storm back before Foden late show saves City

If Phil Foden’s brace was separated by 90 minutes, there was more than just time between the goals that bookended a crazy game.

- RICHARD JOLLY

The emotions fluctuated, the balance of power shifted. Manchester City assumed a position of complete dominance. Leeds United mounted a stirring, stunning comeback. And, at the end, the situation was as it had been after one minute: one goal between them and Foden the match-winner.

Yet the victors showcased frailties and the losers seemed to emerge stronger than they were beforehand. It was that kind of illogical occasion. For City, the loss of control in the second half ought to be worrying. At home, against a promoted team, with a comfortable lead, they surrendered their advantage. For Leeds, Daniel Farke’s game-changing substitution was a reason not to dispense with a Championship-winning manager. Farke had Pep Guardiola on the rack.

For City, this came perilously close to being a wretched week. Defeated by Newcastle, beaten by Bayer Leverkusen, Guardiola’s gamble of resting 10 players in the Champions League first looked unnecessary as they outclassed Leeds before the break and then appeared doubly unsuccessful as those fresher legs were unable to stop an unexpected onslaught. Eventually, Foden served as City’s rescuer. Whether or not they deserved to win, he did. “The quality of Phil again,” said Guardiola, gratefully. “We are not a team to win this type of game a lot.” It was, he felt, the kind of victory his assistant Pep Lijnders experienced more often when he was by Jurgen Klopp’s side at Liverpool.