EXPRESS
Manchester City edged past Leeds United on Sunday to move four points clear of Arsenal at the Premier League summit. The Etihad Stadium witnessed an Ilkay Gundogan brace before Rodrigo’s late consolation to seal a 2-1 win in Sam Allardyce’s return match.
Express Sport runs through four key talking points as Man City took another dominant stride toward the treble.
Ilkay Gundogan – Captain Fantastic
A microphone picked up Gundogan delivering a passionate speech in a huddle before kick-off, urging his teammates to start with intensity against a ‘nervous’ Leeds side.
And he led by example, netting two precise finishes from Riyad Mahrez’s assists before the half-hour mark to grab control of the game.
The German midfielder could’ve had a hat-trick after Erling Haaland handed him the ball for a late penalty.
But he’ll have a slight red mark over his performance after striking his effort off the post, lending to a nervy conclusion caused by Rodrigo’s strike immediately after…
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Cometh the hour, cometh the Sam… or not
Leeds entered the match with five losses and one win in their last seven, but there would’ve been silent caution among City fans over a potential ‘bounce’ under escape artist Allardyce.
But it became apparent early on Pep Guardiola’s side had too much quality for Allardyce’s set-up to contain, and his actions in the dugout told a telling story.
After Gundogan doubled City’s lead on 38 minutes, cameras caught the Whites boss checking his watch in a sign of desperation for the onslaught to end.
With Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur to play in their final three games, he must instil belief into his newly-inherited squad that they can start better against daunting opposition.
But if they can show as much fight as they did in the second half to get back into the game, they have every chance of survival.
