Gundogan brace puts City four points clear

Ilkay Gundogan’s brace gave Manchester City a 2-1 win over Leeds United in Sam Allardyce’s return to the Premier League.

The Citizens dominated the first half and took the lead in the 19th minute when Riyad Mahrez found space on the right and put in a low ball that Gundogan was able to pass into the corner of the net with Joel Robles – in his first Premier League game – wasn’t able to stop.

Erling Haaland had a surprising off-day with the Norwegian unable to add to his absurd tally for the season. He should have scored in the 25th minute after neat link-up play between Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne but shot just wide.

Gundogan then doubled City’s lead with a goal that was almost a carbon copy of the first. Again, Mahrez had the ball on the right and again the German midfielder passed the ball into the net – this time in the opposite corner.

City had plenty of chances to score a third. Haaland had his shot rebound off the post with just over an hour gone after having already hit the bar earlier in the second half.

The home side won a penalty in the 83rd minute when Phil Foden was brought down in the box by Pascal Struijk, who had just come on as a substitute a few minutes earlier.

Instead of Haaland taking it, Gundogan stepped up for a goal that would seal his first-ever senior hat-trick. However, the 32-year-old’s effort bounced back off the post with Pep Guardiola furiously telling Haaland afterwards that he should have been the one to take it.

Just to make things more exciting, Leeds pulled a goal back in the 85th minute. Manuel Akanji’s attempted headed clearance struck the chest of Rodrigo who was then through and able to slot the ball past Ederson.

The visitors weren’t able to stage an unlikely late comeback though with City professionally playing out the remaining minutes of the game to take them now four points clear of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table.

xG: Manchester City (2.77) 2-1 (0.29) Leeds United

19 games unbeaten! 💪

🔵 2-1 🟡 #ManCity pic.twitter.com/RF83MXtLTf

— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 6, 2023