Phil Foden scored twice as Manchester City survived a second-half scare to defeat struggling Leeds United 3-2 and move up to second in the Premier League table.
The result lifts Man City to second, four points behind leaders Arsenal, while Leeds suffered their sixth defeat in seven league matches.
City made a blistering start, with Foden opening the scoring just 59 seconds into the match, steering in Matheus Nunes’ cross. Josko Gvardiol doubled the advantage in the 25th minute, and with Leeds unable to retain possession or mount meaningful attacks, the match appeared to be heading toward a routine victory.
Only a series of excellent saves from Leeds goalkeeper Lucas Perri, who protested obstruction in the build-up to Gvardiol’s goal, kept the visitors within reach at half-time.
The momentum shifted after the break with the introduction of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who poked home after Nunes inadvertently diverted the ball into his path.
Leeds then found themselves level when Lukas Nmecha converted a penalty at the second attempt after Calvert-Lewin was fouled by Gvardiol.
With Leeds briefly threatening their first away win since September 20, City searched for a hero. And on a day when Erling Haaland was made to wait for his 100th Premier League goal, Foden delivered, rifling a left-footed strike into the bottom corner in stoppage time to seal the win.
“It was a relief to score in the last minutes, and the other feeling is big character,” Pep Guardiola said. “The game was not perfect in the first half, but it was comfortable; it should have been over at half-time with the chances we had.”
