It was always inevitable that Manchester City would have almost all the chances in this game, but in a surprisingly tense finish we could have snatched an unexpected result.

This was the toughest start that Big Sam could possibly have had, and realistically I was writing this game off and hoping we could get the points we need from the last three games. Anything we got from this match would be a bonus. The 7-0 hiding we took at the same venue last season was the worst Leeds defeat I’ve ever witnessed, and it’s amazing to think we’ve had three new managers since then.

There were a couple of changes to our defensive unit, and the biggest call was the decision to take Meslier out of the firing line and give Robles a chance in goal. Koch has also had his critics in recent weeks, and Sam can’t think much of him if he’d rather have a right-back playing in central defence instead. Firpo was also back in at left-back, and Forshaw’s presence as the defensive midfielder would allow McKennie to go further forward into his more natural position.

In contrast Guadiola made seven changes to rest a few players before their Champions League semi-final with Real Madrid. Don Revie might have changed our strip to while to imitate the Spanish giants, but Pep clearly doesn’t think this current Leeds team carry the same threat. All the same, the home side still included a number of big names, including a well-known striker who was born in Leeds.

It was no surprise that our defensive shape and organisation was much better under Allardyce, as everyone except Bamford camped in and around our penalty area, with Gnonto tracking back to do his share of defensive work. All the same we nearly went behind in the first ten minutes when Haaland was picked out by an excellent through ball, but Robles was quick to cut down the angle and was in position to save with his legs.

We were defending with a lot of determination, but I was getting concerned that Firpo was getting sucked into the middle all the time rather than tracking his immediate opponent on that flank. It was only Mahrez after all. If I could spot that danger why could no one in a Leeds shirt until City had scored both of their goals via that route?

In the 19th minute De Bruyne picked out Mahrez with a curling pass and once Firpo had belatedly gone across to make a challenge the Algerian had the momentum to skip past him and pick out Gundogan just outside the box. Nobody closed in on the City man to block the shot, but he still did very well to curl the ball past two of our defenders and inside the post.

We were nearly further behind a few minutes later when Gundogan picked out De Bruyne, and his backheel set up Haaland, who dragged his shot just wide after Kristensen put him off by coming in for the challenge. But that was only a temporary respite, and City’s second goal arrived in the 27th minute, in much the same fashion as their first.

Haaland found Mahrez in plenty of space, and he again picked out Gundogan on the edge of the box. Again we had plenty of defenders in the box, but again none of them stepped out to put the German under pressure, despite having already seen his ability to shoot from distance. This time Gundogan took a touch and sent the ball into the opposite corner to put City two up.

At that stage it looked like we might be in for another hiding, but thankfully it was a bit of an off-day for the big Norwegian up front. Another good chance went begging as his standing foot slipped, so his shot bounced off it and went wide as he fell over. Or was it that “You’re Leeds and you know you are” as the visiting section were quick to remind him.

And we even went close to pulling a goal back with our only real chance of the first half. McKennie was the only player to rise to meet Roca’s corner and attack the ball, and could well have scored if he’d sent his downward header anywhere other than straight at Ederson. Even so, we were able to celebrate getting to half-time only two goals down.

The second half continued in similar fashion with Haaland crashing the ball against the bar (though it would have been offside anyway) and then sending a powerful header too close to Robles. Our keeper also had to be alert to make sure a free Kick from Mahrez didn’t sneak in at the near post, before yet another chance went begging for Haaland. The ball found him with his back to goal, and he turned into space, but his shot clipped the outside of the post and went out.

Sam made a few changes to try to get back into the game. Gnonto had found it hard to make an impact and was replaced by Rodrigo, while Greenwood came on for Roca. Next Summerville came on for Harrison, and finally Forshaw and Bamford were running out of puff towards the end, so were replaced by Struijk and Aaronson. But Struijk had only been on for a couple of minutes when he seemed to have gifted City the chance to seal the game.

Foden surged past a couple of challenges as he made his way into the box, then touch an extra touch just before Struijk arrived, to ensure he got the contact needed to send him to the floor. But then sentiment intervened as Gundogan was allowed to take the penalty to get the chance to complete his hat-trick. Either that or Haaland wanted to spare his hometown club further damage.

Guardiola tried to get the message on that Haaland should take it, but it was Gundogan who stepped up, and could only send his kick against the post. And even if he had got the penalty on target Robles might well have got to it, as he went the right way after Gundogan had rather telegraphed which way he was going to send the ball. I don’t think he’ll be entrusted with another spot-kick.

And that was just the start of a crazy couple of minutes, which finished with Leeds pulling a goal back and a possible chance of claiming an unlikely point. McKennie sent the ball forward, Firpo flicked it on with the back of his head, and then Rodrigo won the ball in the challenge with Akanji, before sending his shot past Ederson into the net.

The Leeds section of the crowd had been magnificent throughout, and now they were roaring the team on as we put City under a bit of pressure. Pep had to resort to sending Rodri on to shore up their midfield, and they resorted to what is now called “game management”. Taking the ball to the corner and wasting time at every opportunity, which was ironic after their fans had been barracking Robles at every goal kick while it was 0-0.

Four minutes of injury time was added, and this was further extended to allow for City’s time-wasting, but they managed to get through to the final whistle and seal the result. It was as honourable defeat as we could imagine, and that must give us a much-needed boost for the three cup finals that remain.

It might also come in handy that our goal difference remains better than that of Forest, though they are likely to send us into the bottom three when they play on Monday. Unfortunately they are at home to Southampton, so in theory have their easiest match of the season on the same weekend that we had our hardest.

Much will have to go our way in the next couple of weeks, but if we can play with the spirit we showed today we can still give ourselves the chance of getting out of trouble.

Reuters

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