Man City 3-2 Leeds: Report, result and goals as Foden brace spares blushes

Man City left it late but eventually wrestled three points from a chaotic contest at the Etihad, overcoming a spirited Leeds fightback to win 3-2 with a stoppage-time strike from Phil Foden.

What began as a routine afternoon for the champions swerved into uneasy territory during a turbulent second half, only for Foden’s composure deep into added time to drag City back from the brink.

City could hardly have scripted a stronger opening. With only 59 seconds played, Nunes burst down the right on a give-and-go and squared low into the area where Foden arrived to crash his finish off the underside of the bar for the fastest Premier League goal of the season.

Leeds, pinned back and struggling to breathe in the early minutes, spent the opening exchanges firefighting as wave after wave of sky blue pressure came forward.

The second goal had been coming, and it arrived midway through the half when a corner routine from the left caused havoc.

O’Reilly nodded down in a crowded six-yard box and Josko Gvardiol slid in to force the ball over the line for 2-0.

A lengthy VAR check delayed the celebrations, but the decision stood and City looked well on course for a comfortable afternoon.

Perri made several important stops and Justin and Bogle threw themselves into blocks, keeping the scoreline just about respectable by the interval.

Second half

Leeds emerged transformed after the break. Two half-time substitutions shifted the tone, and within four minutes they had a lifeline.

Tanaka threaded a neat pass into Dominic Calvert-Lewin and after a loose touch and fortunate ricochet, the striker tucked low into the corner to ignite the away end.

The equaliser then arrived in dramatic fashion. Burned by pace in behind, Gvardiol felled Calvert-Lewin in the box and Leeds were awarded a penalty. Donnarumma guessed correctly and pushed the effort away, yet Lukas Nmecha reacted first to smash into the unguarded net.

Guardiola threw on reinforcements and possession mounted once more, but Leeds hung in as the match turned frantic.

Doku crossed, Haaland wrestled with defenders, and Leeds held firm until stoppage time arrived with ten added minutes.

Marmoush headed straight at Perri, Gudmundsson forced a sharp save at the other end, and tension rose with every attack.

Then, the moment. Rayan Cherki, introduced from the bench, slid a simple ball inside and darted across from the right.

Foden collected, created a sliver of space, and guided a clinical finish into the bottom left. 3-2. A roar of relief bellowed around the Etihad.