Five Things Learned: Manchester City 2-1 Leeds United (Premier League)

Manchester City extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table to four points with a crucial 2-1 victory over Leeds United on Saturday afternoon.

Success isn’t always pretty, with Leeds boss Sam Allardyce the managerial embodiment of this statement. Arriving with a predictable approach, the away side were never going to make it a comfortable afternoon for Manchester City.

Early time-wasting and trademark tactics caused the home crowd to grow restless from the get go. However, the groans from the City fans would soon turn into elation after Ilkay Gundogan stepped up to the plate.

Following Riyad Mahrez’s cut inside and lay-off to the club captain on the edge of the box, Ilkay Gundogan delivered to the cries of “shoot” and finished immaculately, curling the ball inside the near post putting the home side in front.

Lightning would then strike twice for the visitors, as Riyad Mahrez would once again find Ilkay Gundogan in space outside the area, who in turn found the net, giving Joel Robles no chance.

As the action calmed down throughout the contest, it felt as though it would be the perfect appetiser before a huge clash with Real Madrid on Tuesday night in the Spanish capital.

It became football dominance as Manchester City ultimately bossed proceedings, knocking the ball about with a calculated swagger, one which would earn the home side a penalty after Phil Foden was brought down inside the penalty area.

Designated penalty taker Erling Haaland stepped aside and allowed Ilkay Gundogan to have a chance at a hat-trick, although the usually composed German international failed to convert, hitting the right-hand post.

Things then took a turn, after a missed 50/50 challenge from Manuel Akanji in the Manchester City defence allowed Leeds forward Rodrigo to fire past Ederson, giving the home side something to think about into the closing exchanges.

Fortunately for Manchester City the scoring finished there, as the reigning Champions breathed a sigh of relief and took themselves four points clear of second placed Arsenal in the title race, ahead of their trip to Newcastle on Sunday afternoon.

Here are five things we learned from Manchester City’s 2-1 victory over Leeds United!

Victory doesn’t always have to be pretty!

Manchester City have administered some brutal thrashings in the past, particularly under Pep Guardiola, although victory on Saturday showed that it does not always have to be that way.

Controlling the ball and dictating the tempo is a standard set by the Manchester City manager, and while the reigning champions never lost control of the game, things did become scrappy towards the end.

However, it is the intelligence and experience in games like these which ultimately makes champions, with Manchester City able to see the victory out and gain a crucial three points to extend their lead at the top.

A (almost) perfect captain’s display

Scorer of two goals, Ilkay Gundogan was immense for Manchester City, and not for the first time this season. The German midfielder pulled the strings and ran the centre of the park while oozing class in typical fashion.

The missed penalty may paint a grey cloud over Ilkay Gundogan’s display, but the club captain was at the heart of everything good for Manchester City against Leeds.

Entering a crucial point of the season, this is the time where you need your leaders to step up to the mark, which is something Gundogan has done in abundance for City over the years, as he looks to guide his team to three trophies this season.

No room for sentiment in a title race

When Phil Foden was fouled in the penalty area, Erling Haaland immediately grabbed the ball and passed it to Ilkay Gundogan, in an unselfish but perhaps irresponsible manner.

Erling Haaland’s first season in England has been nothing short of an unprecedented success, but the Norwegian’s first experience of a title race was evidenced by his decision to hand over the penalty.

Ilkay Gundogan’s excitement at a first hat-trick in a Manchester City shirt, mixed with Haaland’s selflessness, was almost costly for the hosts, who conceded almost immediately after the penalty miss.

Fortunately for both parties, the three points went the way of Manchester City who continue to build on what is an increasingly exciting prospect for what remains of the season.

Yet another mature performance from Rico

At 18 years of age, Rico Lewis is a youthful shine in this accomplished Manchester City team. The young full-back is a versatile asset for Guardiola, and Saturday’s display was a perfect demonstration of this fact.

Lewis broke into the side earlier this season, keeping Joao Cancelo out of the team, which emphasised the capabilities of the defender. Taking his chance and proving his worth, the teenager had yet another mature performance on Saturday.

All eyes on the big one now!

A victory over Leeds was exactly what Pep Guardiola would’ve wanted to fuel the stomachs of his players ahead of their blockbuster clash on Tuesday against Real Madrid.

Although it may not have made for the prettiest of viewings, a 10^th consecutive Premier League victory outlines just how capable this side are, but an away trip to the Santiago Bernabeu will really test the resolve of these Manchester City players.

Heartbreak in last season’s Champions League semi-final may be motivation for the players this time around, but the reality is that they have to cast that result aside and focus on the present.

It will be no easy game for either side, but this period of relentless dominance from Manchester City shows how determined they are to achieve their goals, as the blues look to amend the wounds suffered last time in Madrid and bring a huge result back to Manchester.