Player Ratings: Manchester City 2-1 Leeds United (Premier League)

Manchester City kept themselves four points clear of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League with an admittedly strenuous victory over Leeds United on Saturday afternoon.

The Blues only grabbed two goals from their multitude of first-half chances and they were almost completely identical.

Riyad Mahrez collected the ball on the right flank x2, he sent a low cutback to the edge of the box x2, and Ilkay Gündogan was there with the effort x2.

The only difference? The bottom corner into which the German effortlessly placed the ball.

Chances weren’t quite so free flowing in the second period, with the narrative of the match becoming Erling Haaland’s ongoing battle with the Etihad Stadium woodwork. The Norwegian was denied first by the crossbar from point-blank range, and again by the base of the post.

The game threatened to turn on its head when Rodrigo pulled one back for Leeds out of nowhere, just a minute after Gündogan had passed up the chance for a first career hat-trick from the penalty spot.

City just about managed to see out the frenetic last few minutes, earning those crucial three points in the title run-in.

Here’s how we rated the players for Manchester City’s dramatic defeat of Leeds United:

Ilkay Gundogan 🤝 Riyad Mahrez. Again.

DEVASTATING. 😍😍😍 @SkySportsPL pic.twitter.com/eqWkCuPN9Q

— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) May 6, 2023

Ederson – 7

Made a sharp sweep or two, couldn’t be expected to save the Leeds goal.

Manuel Akanji – 7

Had enjoyed an extremely solid performance before a poor clearance allowed Leeds a goal and almost a way back into the game.

Aymeric Laporte – 7.5

Passed really confidently and was often the man to pick up loose balls and restart attacks.

Nathan Aké – 7.5

Active up and down the left flank, doing great defensive work. Hopefully his withdrawal was merely a precaution.

Rico Lewis – 7

Looked a little lightweight off the ball but was his usual assured self on it.

Ilkay Gündogan – 9 (MOTM)

Almost the perfect afternoon for the captain with two terrific goals but almost dobbed us in it with that penalty miss.

Kevin De Bruyne – 8.5

Orchestrated things alongside Gündogan in the midfield, pulling off some brilliant passes.

Julián Álvarez – 6

Very little came off for him as he picked up good positions but couldn’t find the killer passes.

Riyad Mahrez – 8

Always an outlet on the right wing and collected two trademark assists.

Erling Haaland – 6

How didn’t he score? Credit is due for his movement to create the chances but he ought to have taken at least three of them.

Phil Foden – 7

Had a really mixed game with his crossing but did form some big openings, winning the penalty that Gundogan failed to convert.

Substitutes:

Kyle Walker – 6.5

Reasonably assured to help see it out in the dicey period.

Bernardo Silva – N/A

Rodri – N/A