Manchester City put themselves back in command of the Premier League table after Pep Guardiola’s outfit ended up running rampant at Elland Road to the tune of a 4-0 win against Leeds United this evening.
If either Manchester City or Liverpool drops points, who will it be and when?@The2RobbiesNBC & @TimHowardGK discuss this big question. #MyPLMorning pic.twitter.com/EXFvgoki0K
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) April 30, 2022
The pressure was on City to some extent after Liverpool laid the benchmark with a dominant win against Newcastle United on the road in the afternoon kick-off, but the holding league champions responded in a resounding fashion while officially going sixteen unbeaten away from home, setting a new club record.
Leeds fans can hold their heads high after the manner in which they supported the home side was brilliant throughout, speaking to the passion that the locals have for their beloved Whites, but the reality of the performance was far from acceptable and there remains a real threat that they could go back down to the Championship if Everton find their voice in the final weeks of the season.
📰 Table Of Contents
Leeds United Player Ratings
Meslier (5.5) – Normally you can excuse the keeper for surrendering four against City, but two set-piece goals are inexcusable and smack of poor organization.
Stuart Dallas (6) – A competitive outing from Dallas even if he was not entirely effective. Sadly taken off before half-time with what looks to be a season-ending injury.
Robin Koch (6) – The former SC Freiburg standout defender was okay today, but still a long way off from the player that was courted by much bigger fish last summer.
Pascal Struijk (6) – Halfway decent on the day from Struijk, though should Leeds remain in the top-flight, upgrading on him may become a viable decision to make.
Junior Firpo (5.5) – Firpo has struggled mightily to adapt to life at Leeds. Today was another example of that, which was rounded off by an early booking.
Raphinha (6.5) – A hard performance to gauge by the gifted Brazilian. Once unleashed from temporarily slotting into right-back, he was much more effective.
Kalvin Phillips (6) – Largely overrun in midfield, trying to lock down the center of the park against City’s trio is never easy. Not his best day but not awful.
Mateusz Klich (6) – Not expected to start today but pressed into service after Liam Cooper was injured in warm-ups, Klich was okay throughout.
Jack Harrison (6) – Lively from the winger and had one or two moments where he was influential but remains in a down period this season like most of the Leeds team.
Rodrigo (5) – Not good enough from the Spanish striker who failed to manage any influential moments. Leeds truly miss Patrick Bamford.
Dan James (6) – A slightly better day for Dan James in the final third after coming on just before half time but not even his pace could break the goal plain.
Joe Gelhardt (6) – Nearly scored a consolation goal for Leeds in the second half as the youngster put in a pretty decent shift. His potential is clear.
Sam Greenwood (N/A) – Only given seven minutes before stoppages to influence matters and really did not have enough time to make his mark.
Manchester City Player Ratings
Ederson (7) – Typical performance from Ederson who made a handful of big saves in the latter stages to keep Leeds from securing a consolation goal.
João Cancelo (8) – Struggled in phases in the first half when Leeds pressed incredibly well, but once he settled, he was his usual reliable self.
Joao Cancelo’s game by numbers vs Leeds:
113 touches
100% tackles won
100% aerial duels won
100% shot accuracy
86% pass accuracy
14 ball recoveries
7 duels won
5 attempted take-ons
3 successful take-on
3 long balls completed
2 chances createdEqually class at RB and LB. 👏 pic.twitter.com/rrGneVqFcJ
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) April 30, 2022
Rúben Dias (8) – Bagged an assist for Aké’s goal and was his usual monstrous self at the back in a very good display which included a key block against Raphinha.
Aymeric Laporte (7) – A good day at the office for Laporte who was reliable when his number was called in defense.
Nathan Aké (7.5) – Very solid from the Dutch international defender, who slotted home City’s second goal of the evening in the second half to round out a good display.
Rodri (8.5) – Another fantastic display in the middle of the park from the Spanish midfielder. Hard to argue against him being the best holding player in Europe.
Ilkay Gündogan (7) – Good overall. The German midfielder remains as consistent as ever under Pep Guardiola and the same can be said today.
Raheem Sterling (8) – Unlucky not to take something away from the match on a personal level but Raheem Sterling was City’s best player for much of the match.
Phil Foden (8) – A brace of assists tonight for England starlet Phil Foden, operating behind Gabriel Jesus in the ten role. Struggled in small patches but overall he was good.
Jack Grealish (7) – It was a good performance from Jack Grealish who may feel as though he should have won a penalty and probably deserved a goal or an assist on the day.
Gabriel Jesus (8) – Gabriel Jesus cannot stop scoring at the minute for City. He was good once again, and his desire to leave the club may come back to haunt them.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (6) – Nothing more than okay when coming off the bench to replace Nathan Aké, who potentially picked up a knock in the first half.
Bernardo Silva (6) – More about getting some miles into his legs than expecting him to put in a top performance. Decent enough from the Portuguese.
Fernandino (7) – Came off the bench to replace Rodri and delivered a well-struck goal from just outside the box for City’s fourth. A good substitute offering.
What the experts said
HT: #lufc 0-1 Man City. Behind to a set piece but the set up has contained & caused threats to the champions. Big blow to lose Dallas before the break thru injury & Cooper before kick off.
— Adam Pope (@apopey) April 30, 2022
Man City just starting to get a bit ragged. Guardiola fuming, Dias trying to calm everyone down. Leeds fans getting more into the game, Marsch fist pumping every chase and tackle. Need a second goal to stop it turning into an awkward evening.
— Rob Dawson (@RobDawsonESPN) April 30, 2022
Leeds play at a million miles an hour but their final passes/shots are horrendous.
— DaveOCKOP (@DaveOCKOP) April 30, 2022
Rodri’s in the first half vs Leeds:
100% aerial duels won
100% tackles won
100% shot accuracy
94% pass accuracy
75% long ball accuracyAnd he broke the deadlock. ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/IHScIwF2nm
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) April 30, 2022
Man City’s away form in the Premier League since losing to Tottenham on the opening day:
WWDWWWWWWWDWWDWW
⚽️ 34 Goals Scored
⚽️ 7 Goals Conceded
⛔️ 10 Clean Sheets #MCFC | #LEEMCI | #FPL | #PL pic.twitter.com/tCnpOiM9lL— EPL Statman (@EPLStatman) April 30, 2022
Man City have beaten Leeds 11-0 on aggregate in the PL this season, scoring 10+ goals against a single opponent for a fourth time:
• 12 vs Watford (19/20)
• 11 vs Norwich (11/12)
• 11 vs Tottenham (13/14)
• 11 vs Leeds (21/22)Humiliation. 😬🔵 pic.twitter.com/lS8gjdEXIA
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) April 30, 2022
What the fans said
Questionable half after the goal.
Sterling has easily been City’s best and a slightly tame shot that was blocked well doesn’t change that. Showing for it often, direct, making things happen.
City struggling to hold it under the press. Zinchenko, Bernardo on would make sense.
— Umir (@umirf1) April 30, 2022
Big love to Stuey Dallas. In a clash between him and Captain Slippery McRollerskates, you’d have hoped for a different outcome. #LUFC
— The Square Ball (@TheSquareBall) April 30, 2022
Get well soon 👊💥 @dallas_stuart pic.twitter.com/zwkW6xB0xF
— Turn (@Turn_skylights) April 30, 2022
Gabriel Jesus has 6 goals in 3 games. pic.twitter.com/IR8thRGGeF
— mcfc lads (@mcfc_lads) April 30, 2022
Guardiola’s Manchester City remain unbeaten away from home in the Premier League since the 1-0 loss at Tottenham on the opening weekend
13 wins
3 Draw
16 unbeaten games is a new club record #Pep #ReInventingTheGame pic.twitter.com/07G1l5PapS
— The Pep (@GuardiolaTweets) April 30, 2022
What you may have missed
Key central defender Liam Cooper was injured in the warm-up before Leeds United took to the pitch against Manchester City in what was a big blow for Jesse Marsch’s outfit, who remain in the fight for Premier League safety.
Bad news for Leeds!
Captain Liam Cooper has picked up an injury in the warm-up.
He is replaced by Mateusz Klich.
💻📱 Follow live ⬇️https://t.co/bPlEm6fX0u#LEEMCI #BBCFootball https://t.co/8MzSZXRylI
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) April 30, 2022
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