Good Morning. It's Monday 1st December, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Second half fightback thwarted by injury time winner
Phil Foden's injury time winner kept Manchester City in the Premier League title race, at the expense of Leeds Utd, having mounted a courageous second half fightback. The England international struck twice, including a stoppage-time winner, to spare City’s blushes after they nearly threw away a comfortable two-goal lead. Foden opened the scoring inside the first minute, calmly slotting home from Matheus Nunes’ cross, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the advantage midway through the first half. At that stage, Leeds looked completely out of their depth, struggling at times to keep their shape. Shot-stopper Lucas Perri kept the score respectable with some sharp saves, though he fumed over Gvardiol’s goal, claiming obstruction.
Things changed after the break when Daniel Farke rolled the dice, switching to a 3-5-2 formation and introducing Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The striker immediately breathed life into the visitors, poking in from close range before winning a penalty that Lukas Nmecha eventually converted, albeit at the second attempt after his initial effort was poorly struck. Suddenly, Leeds had belief, and City’s frustration grew as they failed to put the game to bed. Erling Haaland was left waiting for his 100th Premier League goal, but Foden stepped up in the dying moments, showing composure under pressure to rifle home the decisive third.
While the final scoreline suggests a close contest, City could and probably should have wrapped things up in the first half, with missed chances keeping Leeds in the game. The penalty they conceded was clumsy, but Nmecha’s finish was fortunate, rebounding kindly straight back to him. In the end, Foden’s brilliance proved the difference, masking an unconvincing second-half display from City. Leeds can take heart from their spirited fightback, even if it came too late to avoid yet another defeat but will it be enough to keep Daniel Farke in a job?
Credit where its due
Leeds fans aren’t exactly used to talking about Daniel Farke winning a tactical battle, especially mid-game, but the second half against Manchester City at the weekend has at least given them reason to pause. Criticism of Farke’s in-game management has been growing, particularly his reluctance to make bold, proactive changes when things aren’t working. This time, however, he tore up the script. After a first half that went as most expected – his side pinned back in the customary 4-3-3 and struggling to lay a glove on City – Farke used the break to switch to a 5-3-2. Suddenly, Lukas Nmecha had the support of a rejuvenated Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Erling Haaland was seeing more defenders than he could handle, and Leeds were pushing up with far more impetus.
The difference was stark; City looked uncomfortable, Leeds looked alive, the cogs were once again turning in unison!!! Sure, Phil Foden’s strike settled the contest, but the narrative was no longer of Leeds being steamrolled. Whether this was a flash of tactical inspiration or a fortunate punt that paid off is up for debate, but what’s clear is that it worked, and perhaps offers more optimism than the result alone suggests ahead of Chelsea midweek. Farke may not have “outsmarted” Pep Guardiola for the full 90, but for once, he asked questions City couldn’t immediately answer, and that’s worth a nod.
Premier League sack race re-opens
Leeds United may have slumped to their fourth consecutive defeat at the weekend, but for once there was a flicker of light at the end of the tunnel. Only a week ago, the Whites were plummeting towards the Championship trap door at full speed, with little sign of control. On Saturday, however, Daniel Farke seemed to at least identify where the brakes are located! The performance, while still not enough to secure any points, showed more fight, structure and intent than in recent times, perhaps enough to stop the freefall and buy the German boss a little breathing room.
That slight improvement hasn’t escaped the attention of the bookmakers, who have now reshuffled the odds in the Premier League sack race. Farke still leads the unflattering pack as 1/2 favourite to be the next manager shown the door, but there’s a sense that his fate isn’t entirely sealed if Leeds can build on this display. Thomas Frank sits at 4/1, with Arne Slot at 8/1, while Scott Parker and Marco Silva share 12/1. For Leeds fans, Saturday wasn’t the turnaround they craved, but it might just be the first step towards slowing the runaway train down.
