Foden bags a brace as Man City edge Leeds 3–2 in a wild, last-minute thriller

Analysis by Hikaru Sakamoto

Phil Foden strikes in the first minute and nets a stoppage-time winner as Man City survive Leeds’ late comeback in a dramatic 3–2 clash

The match was played on November 29, local time.

Manchester City and Leeds met on Matchday 13 of the Premier League on the 29th.
City entered the game on the back of two straight defeats — losing 1–2 to Newcastle and 0–2 to Leverkusen in the Champions League — and badly needed a bounce-back performance. Leeds, meanwhile, had dropped to 18th after three consecutive league losses, with Ao Tanaka returning to the starting XI for the first time since Matchday 10.

City struck instantly. Just one minute in, Josko Gvardiol released Matheus Nunes on the right, who combined with Bernardo Silva before sending in a low cross that Phil Foden poked home for the opener. City continued to dominate and doubled their lead on 25 minutes when Gvardiol forced in a loose ball after a corner.

Leeds struggled to break City down despite looking for counters, and the first half ended 2–0 to the hosts. Manager Daniel Farke made a double change at the break, bringing on Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Jaka Bijol — and it paid off immediately. In the 49th minute, Leeds won the ball high, Ao Tanaka threaded a piercing through ball, and Calvert-Lewin finished to pull one back.

The comeback continued in the 68th minute. Calvert-Lewin was fouled in the box by Gvardiol, and although Donnarumma saved Lucas Nmecha’s penalty, the striker buried the rebound to make it 2–2.

Leeds took control after equalizing, while City struggled to create meaningful chances — until stoppage time. In the 90+1st minute, Rayan Cherki fed Foden on the right side of the box, and the England international fired a left-footed shot into the bottom corner to seal a dramatic brace and a 3–2 victory.

City face Fulham away on December 2, while Leeds host Chelsea the following day.

Score
Manchester City 3–2 Leeds

Scorers
1–0 Foden 1’
2–0 Gvardiol 25’
2–1 Calvert-Lewin 49’
2–2 Nmecha 68’
3–2 Foden 90+1’

The Bigger Picture

Let’s be honest. This was not a beautiful win.
And yet, the feeling most strongly shared among supporters was simple and unanimous: this was the night Phil Foden saved everything.

A goal in the first minute, then a stoppage-time winner in the 90+1st.
As the performance wavered, the defense lost stability, and City struggled to take control of the game, Foden was the one constant who kept making the difference.
An academy-grown star quite literally carried the team to three points — that is the common understanding among the fans.

Of course, there were problems everywhere.
Midfield chaos, a costly moment involving Matheus Nunes, and a familiar pattern of losing balance after halftime.
But rather than debate or dissect, supporters chose to focus on outcome and symbolism.

That symbol was Foden.
It was Joško Gvardiol’s long-awaited set-piece goal.
And in the end, it was Rayan Cherki, providing the final pass that decided the match.

The Etihad was filled with tension and frustration for long stretches,
but by the final whistle, one truth stood clear.
Right now, City have Phil Foden.

XI | Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Nico, Bernardo (C), Reijnders, Foden, Doku, Haaland 

SUBS | Trafford, Stones, Ake, Marmoush, Cherki, Ait-Nouri, Savinho, Khusanov, Lewi

Fan Reactions

City Fans

• “City fan here — Nicolás González was getting absolutely battered out there. Rodri being out long-term is rough, but honestly losing Kovačić hurts even more. Just rest Nico and let Reijnders and Bernardo handle it.”
• “If Bernardo’s playing inside, use Kusanov as an inverted fullback and go pseudo three-at-the-back. Let Malmøš or Cherki roam.”
• “FODEN LET’S GOOOO — scoring in the first minute is hilarious.”
• “Nice move, but once again it ends with Nunes. Our midfield is pure chaos whenever we attack.”
• “Reijnders looks like he’ll be good once he clicks.”
• “He’s only been here half a year. Give him time.”
• “Honestly he looked more settled early on. No idea why he suddenly dipped.”
• “Doku was so close again. His diagonal passing is getting better, and his link-up with O’Reilly is improving.”
• “SET-PIECE GOAL! Gvardiol finally — feels like forever.”
• “Didn’t Rúben score from a set piece against Newcastle?”
• “Either way, good to see Joško scoring again.”
• “Bernardo didn’t interfere with the keeper at all. If that’s offside, every goal gets ruled out.”
• “When is Reijnders going to score? Long-term project or not, the misses are piling up.”
• “That goal we conceded was embarrassing. Straight-up Nunes mistake.”
• “This referee had zero consistency.”
• “Is Donnarumma okay? If he’s injured, we’re in trouble.”
• “He’s clearly doing it so Pep can give instructions.”
• “Team-approved time-wasting masterclass.”
• “The penalty was clumsy. It happens. Still would’ve liked Malmøš to take it.”
• “The back line was a mess. Why do we fall apart every second half this season?”
• “Take Reijnders off and bring Cherki on. That said, Reijnders was fine overall — just unlucky finishing.”
• “Same story again. We never grab momentum. Malmøš should’ve come on earlier.”
• “FODEN AGAIN. Different level. Academy pride.”
• “Great leap from Gvardiol. And Haaland had two defenders glued to him all match.”
• “We survived, but the referee decisions were wild. So stressful.”
• “Barely got away with it at home against Leeds. Not great — but thank God for Foden.”
• “Five at the back always ruins our balance. Nunes and Gvardiol made mistakes, but hopefully they learn.”
• “Foden plays better with Cherki than with Reijnders. And yes, that assist really was Cherki’s.”
• “Every time the opponent raises the press, we collapse. Sometimes slow it down.”
• “Press, fail, panic, press again — same loop.”
• “So many players, but no tactical variation. Easy to prepare against.”
• “Not a performance to celebrate — but Foden was otherworldly.”

What Remains

What lingers after this match is neither relief nor complacency.
It is simply this: they won — and Phil Foden was there.

No one believes this was a complete performance.
But having someone who can take the ball in the hardest moments
and decide a match on his own still matters — enormously.

Foden delivered when it counted.
Gvardiol made his presence felt from a set piece.
Cherki changed the game with one decisive contribution.

The issues are obvious.
But when supporters look back on this night, they will not remember the chaos.
They will remember the left foot that settled it all in stoppage time.

That alone gave this win its meaning.

SkyBlueSurvivor
City fan here — Nicolás González nearly got killed out there lol. Rodri being out long-term is rough, but losing Kovačić hurts even more. Just rest Nico and let Reijnders and Bernardo cover his role, then throw Malmøš or Cherki up top.

TacticsTinkererMCFC
If Bernardo’s playing inside, just use Kusanov as an inverted fullback, go pseudo-3CB, and let Núñez run the right wing. Put Malmøš or Cherki under Haaland and let them roam. I just wanna see more of Malmøš, man.

Source:
sky sports
https://www.skysports.com/football/manchester-city-vs-leeds-united/report/531254?utm_source=chatgpt.com