Foden’s late thunder seals City’s 3-2 thriller against Leeds
29 November 2025
Match Overview
Manchester City snatched a dramatic 3-2 victory at Leeds United on Saturday, in the 13th round of the Premier League.
City's goals came from Phil Foden (1 and 90+1) and Josko Gvardiol (25), while Leeds punished with goals from Dominic Calvert-Lewin (49) and Lukas Nmecha (68).
City moved to 25 points in second place, four behind leaders Arsenal who were due to play Chelsea later on Sunday, while Leeds sat on 11 points in 18th.
City manager Pep Guardiola, under pressure after their European exit to Bayer Leverkusen, rotated nine players, keeping Nico González and Tijani Reijnders in the starting XI.
The front three of Foden, Doku and Haaland returned, giving City renewed attacking impetus.
Key Moments
Leeds, under German coach Daniel Farke, answered with five changes, including James Justin in defence and several fresh faces, with Shon Longstaff and Anton Stach out through injury.
City struck inside 60 seconds. A move down the right involving Núñez produced a one-two and a through ball into the area, where Foden finished low past the keeper after the ball had hit the crossbar and crossed the line.
Foden nearly doubled the lead in the 7th minute when he tried a reverse pass to Bernardo Silva, but the ball drifted straight to the Leeds goalkeeper.
In the 19th minute, one of the first-half chances saw Justin make a crucial intervention to deny Foden after a through ball; González followed up but couldn’t convert, and Gvardiol headed over.
City continued pressing; in the 24th minute Foden nearly scored again from a set piece after a rebound inside the area, but the keeper produced a superb save.
Moments later, from a corner Oriol delivered a header to the near post and Gvardiol pounced to score the second. The Leeds goalkeeper protested but the goal stood.
Leeds had their brightest moment in the 31st minute as James Justin beat Gvardiol to set up Gnonto, who found Nmecha but fired over.
City remained the danger; Gvardiol had another header from a corner; Donnarumma saved the follow-up shot before the clearance.
Early in the second half, Donnarumma looked uncertain with a high ball, but Robin Diaz cleared at the last moment.
The real turning point came in the 49th minute as City lost possession in a dangerous area, allowing Otanaka to thread a pass to Calvert-Lewin, who finished smartly into the corner to reduce the deficit.
In the 66th minute, Peter Banks awarded a penalty after a Gvardiol foul on Calvert-Lewin. VAR reviewed but the decision stood, yellow for the Croatian.
Nmecha converted from the spot in the 68th minute; Donnarumma saved the initial effort, but the rebound fell to the German who tucked it in to complete the comeback.
After the equalizer, Leeds threatened again; the keeper mishandled in the box, Haaland headed wide, and Doku fed the ball to Stroik who nearly scored an own goal before the defense cleared.
Just before full-time, City substitute Omar Marmoush produced a header from a cross, but the keeper held firm.
In the 90+1 minute, with Leeds defending densely, City kept the ball patiently until it reached Foden who curled a left-footed shot into the far corner to seal the win.
Punchline: City’s bench looked so deep, even the water bottles needed a rest. Punchline 2: Leeds’ defense was so leaky that the scoreboard could have used a life jacket.
