Video Highlight: Manchester City 2-1 Leeds: Gundogan brace sees City survive late scare
Ilkay Gundogan scored twice but missed a penalty as Manchester City survived a late scare to win their title fight with a 2-1 win over relegation-threatened Leeds.
The German midfielder came home from the edge of the box in the 19th and 27th minute at the Etihad Stadium to put the champions on course to secure what looked like a comfortable victory.
City then repelled a host of chances, with Erling Haaland hitting the woodwork twice and Gundogan being denied by keeper Joel Robles before Rodrigo gave Leeds hope late in Sam Allardyce’s opener in charge .
The hosts held on to a win that puts them four points clear of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League, with both sides still having four games to play, but manager Pep Guardiola will be worried he hasn’t been forcefully closed.
Such was their dominance that City had almost reduced the game to walking pace before Rodrigo changed the game in the 85th minute. Allardyce, who made four changes including Robles for Illan Meslier, will at least be happy about it, although Leeds were heavily overplayed for most of the game.
City started strong and it was no surprise the first goal came after 19 minutes after Guardiola’s side had repeatedly threatened.
Kevin De Bruyne had a shot blocked, Julian Alvarez fired wide and Haaland was denied by Robles before Gundogan entered the bottom corner from the edge of the box after Riyad Mahrez sliced inside.
Mahrez himself then fired wide before Leeds-born Haaland fired an uncharacteristically wide shot after Gundogan sent the ball into the box and De Bruyne hit the striker with a brilliant layoff.
With Leeds clearly struggling, a second goal seemed inevitable and it came in much the same way as the first as Mahrez sliced inside and found Gundogan 18 yards out. This time the German hit the far corner sending the ball into the net.
Leeds had a chance when a header from Weston forced McKennie Ederson to save, but the visitors were lucky not to concede another goal before the break.
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Haaland saved them again when he made an error in front of goal, Alvarez had cleared a try from the line and Phil Foden found the last shot of the first half just wide.
Haaland hit the woodwork twice after the break, first heading into the bar with a free kick and then hitting the foot of a post on the corner after Rico Lewis put it on.
City appeared to cross and Gundogan looked to finish the game by completing his hat-tricks when Haaland handed the ball to him after Foden was brought down by Pascal Struijk.
However, Robles guessed correctly to save and Rodrigo set alarm bells ringing as he pounced on an error by Manuel Akanji to bring up a late one.
City had to regroup but avoided further shocks.
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