Manchester City 2-1 Leeds United: Sam Allardyce begins with defeat as Pep Guardiola’s side tighten grip on title race

Manchester City survived a late Leeds fightback to win 2-1 and go four points clear of Arsenal in the Premier League title race.

Joel Robles, making his first Premier League start since 2017, had his first big save to make after 17 minutes as he stood tall to deny Erling Haaland.

Manchester City took the lead after 19 minutes when Riyad Mahrez played a perfect pass to Ilkay Gundogan who was waiting just inside the penalty area to stroke his effort into the bottom right-hand corner.

Five minutes later Haaland missed a glorious chance to put City 2-0 up with the Norwegian firing wide from point-blank range.

Pep Guardiola's side doubled their advantage with a goal reminiscent of the first, Mahrez once again found Gundogan with a supremely weighted pass and this time Gundogan rifled his effort into the opposite corner.

Haaland had his best chance in the second half but could only divert his effort onto the post following a fantastic through ball from Rico Lewis.

Ilkay Gundogan struck the post with his penalty and just one minute later Rodrigo pulled one back for Leeds. The substitute capitalised on a poor header from Manuel Akanji to slot past Ederson and make it a very nervous last five minutes for City.

City managed to withstand further pressure from Leeds and recorded their 10th consecutive victory in the Premier League to move four points clear of Arsenal.

Victory against Leeds United was Manchester City's 10th consecutive win in the Premier League and their 13th match without defeat in the competition. They now sit on 82 points, four ahead of Arsenal with both sides having played 34 matches. Arsenal will play their 35th match of the Premier League season away to Newcastle United, a huge task and one that could see The Gunners slip up further. Guardiola's side have been a machine since February and they have only lost twice in the league in 2023. They had to endure a nervier ending than was necessary but they got the job done and moved one step closer to retaining their crown.

The 32-year-old was denied his hat-trick when he smashed the post from the penalty spot but other than that it was the complete performance from the German midfielder. He controlled the tempo for City, taking 192 touches and completing a whopping 170 passes, whereas Leeds as a whole team completed 112. He took both of his goals superbly, putting one in each corner with the finesse and accuracy we have come to expect from him. A brilliant performance.

Manchester City: Ederson 6, Akanji 6, Laporte 6, Ake 7, Lewis 8, Gundogan 9, Mahrez 8, Alvarez 7, De Bruyne 8, Foden 7, Haaland 6 Subs: Walker 6, Silva N/A, Rodri N/A

Fulham: Joel 6, Firpo 6, Wober 6, Kristensen 6, Harrison 6, Roca 6, Forshaw 6, Ayling 6, McKennie 6, Gnonto 6, Bamford 6 Subs: Rodrigo 7, Greenwood 6, Summerville 6, Struijk 5, Aaronson 6

15' FIRST BIG CHANCE FOR CITY - De Bruyne fires in a ball from the right-hand side for Alvarez around 12 yards out but the Argentine forward fires it over the bar.

17' ROBLES MAKES HIS FIRST BIG SAVE - Rico Lewis plays a great ball to Erling Haaland on the left-hand side and he fired on goal but Robles stood firm to make a good save.

19' GOAL - MANCHESTER CITY - Riyad Mahrez does brilliantly down the left to get his head up before laying it off to Ilkay Gundogan just inside the box and he strokes it home into the bottom corner.

24' WIDE FROM ERLING HAALAND! - He is human after all! De Bruyne lays the ball off to Haaland from point-blank range but he fires his effort wide.

27' GOAL - MANCHESTER CITY - It's the same combination for the first goal and it's the exact same result! Riyad Mahrez plays the ball to the edge of the box for Gundogan who drives his effort into the bottom corner. An outstanding finish.

29' A BIG SAVE FROM EDERSON! - Weston McKennie rises highest to head an effort into the ground which Ederson saves brilliantly.

62' HAALAND HIS THE POST! - It's one of those days for Erling Haaland. Rico Lewis slides through a fantastic pass to Haaland and the Norwegian drags his effort onto the post.

84' GUNDOGAN MISSES THE PENALTY! - Ilkay Gundogan strikes the post with his penalty.

85' GOAL - LEEDS UNITED - Well, this has made things interesting! Akanji makes a mess of his header at the back and Rodrigo pounces to fire past Ederson!

Ilkay Gundogan completed 170 passes against Leeds United, 58 passes more than Leeds managed combined.