Foden the hero as City edge out Leeds in five-goal thriller

Manchester City 3 - 2 Leeds United

Phil Foden struck twice as Manchester City narrowed the gap in the Premier League title race after nearly squandering a two-goal cushion against Leeds.

Author | Macca

Stadium | Etihad Stadium

Any suggestion of a straightforward afternoon appeared justified when Foden opened the scoring inside the first minute. City dominated from the outset, with the England midfielder guiding in Matheus Nunes’ cross before Josko Gvardiol added a second midway through the half.

Leeds struggled to retain possession, and Daniel Farke’s men looked destined for damage limitation. Only the efforts of goalkeeper Lucas Perri, who protested obstruction in the build-up to Gvardiol’s goal, kept the visitors within reach.

The second half brought a shift as the introduction of Dominic Calvert Lewin breathed life into Leeds. He reacted quickest when Nunes inadvertently nudged the ball into his path and later won a penalty that Lukas Nmecha converted at the second attempt, briefly lifting hopes of an unlikely away win.

But with Erling Haaland left waiting for his 100th Premier League goal, it was Foden who settled the contest in stoppage time, sweeping a precise left footed finish into the bottom corner to secure a hard-fought win.

Foden saves the day and maybe City's position in the title race

With the match heading into added time, City were staring at a six point gap to leaders Arsenal.

They were also locked level with Chelsea, with both London sides holding a game in hand. The tension inside the stadium grew as each City attack was repelled, while Leeds looked increasingly likely to claim an unlikely point against a team widely viewed as Arsenal’s most persistent challengers.

Foden then produced the decisive moment that reflected his growing authority. Under pressure inside the area, the England midfielder showed composure and precision, applying the finishing touch that ended City’s frustration and halted a run of successive defeats.

Questions will remain over City’s ability to mount a sustained title push, particularly after their struggles against Leeds’ direct play. Yet Foden’s intervention ensured that discussion will be saved for another day.