Phil Foden Saves City as Leeds Push Guardiola to the Edge

City Fly, Then Collapse, Then Survive

Manchester City needed a stoppage-time strike from Phil Foden to escape a chaotic thriller. Pep Guardiola’s leap on the touchline said everything: relief, tension, and a reminder that the title race still has life. City moved back into second, four points off Arsenal, while Leeds showed enough fight to strengthen Daniel Farke’s job security.

City’s Dream Start Turns Into a Nightmare

Inside the opening minute, City produced the perfect sequence. Nico González found Josko Gvardiol, the long diagonal found Matheus Nunes, the quick combinations found Bernardo Silva, and finally Foden hammered his finish in off the bar.

The second goal came soon after as Foden’s corner routine recycled itself, Nico O’Reilly rose highest, and Gvardiol pounced. At 2–0, City were cruising.

Leeds Transform the Game

Farke changed everything at the break. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on, bullied City’s back line, scored immediately, and later won the penalty that led to Lukas Nmecha’s equaliser. Gianluigi Donnarumma saved the first effort but Nmecha tucked in the rebound.

Leeds repeatedly tore City open down the flanks. Guardiola admitted it: they are too easy to raid in wide areas.

Guardiola’s Gamble and Foden’s Rescue

City pushed to regain control but found only chaos—scrambles, rebounds, and frustration. Even Erling Haaland was quiet.

Then came the final act. Rayan Cherki slipped the perfect ball to Foden, who drifted across the box and drilled in the winner that kept City’s chase alive. A dramatic finish, but also another warning sign: City are still vulnerable, and opponents know it.

Farke, despite defeat, left with pride. His team rattled the champions and forced Guardiola into desperation mode.