LEEDING MEN
City showing no title jitters as they respond to Reds in style
Pep Guardiola admits the pressure is almost unbearable – but has urged City to make a last push towards the title.
His side edged back in front of Liverpool in the Premier League race with a storming win at Leeds.
Rodri headed City into a half-time lead and further goals in the second period from Nathan Ake, Gabriel Jesus and Fernandinho lifted them back to the top, a point ahead of the Mersey men.
But with the stakes so high, ga f fer Guardiola admitted it was a vital result.
He said: “We knew coming here the way they play, we suffered a lot in the first half.
“But in the end we had control and could have scored more. It was an incredible result.
“Today was so important to make our chances to be champions again. I prefer to feel less pressure than I am feeling. It is a long season and this is the last effort.”
Pep praised his defence for a strong performance.
He said: “We defended well – with Ake on the pitch, we are so strong. And what a game Aymeric Laporte played – he is having an incredible season.”
City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan reckons the final destination for the title will now go down to the wire. He said: “The pressure is always on from this point of the season. It doesn’t – or shouldn’t – really make a big difference if we play first or Liverpool play first, but it doesn’t look likely that either team is going to slip before the end of the season.
“Ever y game feels like a f inal right now and every game has its own difficulties. We need to be ready for the challenge.” City secured a third straight league win for the first time in 2022 – but it was not the walk in the park the scoreline would suggest. Leeds threatened early when Rodrigo raced from halfway but Gundogan rescued City with a vital block in the box. Leeds’ defence was undone in the 13th minute. Phil Foden’s excel lent outswinging f ree- kick was headed home by Rodr i , w h o ghosted on to the ball unopposed. And just before half-time it needed a brilliant block from Pascal Struijk to prevent Raheem Sterling from adding City’s second.
But they finally stretched their lead in the 54th minute.
Foden’s corner was headed goalwards by Ruben Dias and Ake turned to sweep the ball home from six yards.
City put the game to bed with an excellent third goal in the 78th minute.
Ederson’s clearance was chested into Foden’s path and his through- ball was buried by Jesus.
Then sub Fernandinho arrowed home a low shot in time added on.
Leeds boss Jesse Marsch said: “We played with confidence. It didn’t feel like a 4- 0 match.”