Leeds United were brushed aside with relative ease by Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium as Sam Allardyce’s first game in charge of the Whites ended in defeat.
The 2-1 scoreline somewhat flattered Leeds’ performance, which saw them forfeit the lion’s share of possession to the Premier League champions and create few opportunities of their own. Ilkay Gundogan’s first half brace made the game’s outcome something of a foregone conclusion; his two strikes carbon copies of each other, set up by Riyad Mahrez on the right-hand side.
Leeds, however did appear more resolute in the second half, insofar as not suffering further concessions, despite a number of Erling Haaland’s efforts hitting the woodwork instead of the back of the net, on a day in which chances simply wouldn’t fall for the Leeds-born City frontman.
Substitute Rodrigo struck back for Leeds minutes after Gundogan had hit Joel Robles’ post with a spot-kick, but it proved not enough for the Whites to come away with anything.
Here are Graham Smyth’s full-time player ratings from the Etihad Stadium.
Leeds, however did appear more resolute in the second half, insofar as not suffering further concessions, despite a number of Erling Haaland’s efforts hitting the woodwork instead of the back of the net, on a day in which chances simply wouldn’t fall for the Leeds-born City frontman.
![Hardly saw the ball. Couldn't plug enough gaps to stop the home midfield from creating chances and scoring goals. (Martin Rickett/PA Wire)](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjNkZTE0MzNjLWI2MTktNDAyYy1iYmJhLTBmYTc3MzMwYjJlNDo1Y2ViZjU0My04MTAzLTQwODEtOGUzOS00NmQ1YTk3NWUzNjg=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
7. Marc Roca - 3
Hardly saw the ball. Couldn't plug enough gaps to stop the home midfield from creating chances and scoring goals. (Martin Rickett/PA Wire)Photo: Martin Rickett
![One of few to get a foot on the ball and try to make something happen. Got stuck in. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjU1ZmFmMzg3LThiY2MtNGFkNi1iMzNkLTk4YTU2ZTQ0YThiYTphYzM3MTU1Yi0yOWE2LTRjMzktOTM2Yi0zODFiNjE4ODlkNzQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
8. Adam Forshaw - 5
One of few to get a foot on the ball and try to make something happen. Got stuck in. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)Photo: Gareth Copley
![Ran himself into the ground. Tried to get up to support Bamford but link-up rarely came off. (Martin Rickett/PA Wire)](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjZhNzAzMzQ4LTYzOGUtNDQ0NS04ZmEzLTlmMGVjMTJhM2QwNjpiZmU3NzI4ZC0wMWNkLTQ2OTUtOTU1NC05ODcxNmJkNTc1OTE=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
9. Jack Harrison - 5
Ran himself into the ground. Tried to get up to support Bamford but link-up rarely came off. (Martin Rickett/PA Wire)Photo: Martin Rickett
![Barely got a kick. Role was reduced to dropping in and forming a deep five-man midfield. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjAzYWM0MWVlLWI5MGYtNDQ3My1hYzNjLTFlODYyY2E3YTNlYTozNjQyMzE3Zi00ODRmLTQ3OTQtOWNhZS0zZWM0Njk5MjUzOWY=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
10. Willy Gnonto - 4
Barely got a kick. Role was reduced to dropping in and forming a deep five-man midfield. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)Photo: Gareth Copley
![Struggled to get on the ball or hold it up, surrounded and isolated. Put in a big effort. (Photo by LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP via Getty Images)](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmIzNmViMWMwLThmYzItNGEwZi04NzI5LTA1ZmZjNjU2YjAyYzpmYzU0OGE0Ny01NGVlLTRmY2YtODkwYi00NGU1NjdmZmViODA=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
11. Patrick Bamford - 4
Struggled to get on the ball or hold it up, surrounded and isolated. Put in a big effort. (Photo by LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP via Getty Images)Photo: LINDSEY PARNABY
![Took his moment well when it came with a clinical finish. Tried to offer an outlet. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjY1OGZhOTk3LWE5NTAtNDkxYy04Y2M0LTliMmJhY2RlOThjODo3NjBjZjRhMi02ODVlLTQ4MjktYjVhNS05ZTk3Yzg3ZTVkYzg=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
12. Rodrigo - 6
Took his moment well when it came with a clinical finish. Tried to offer an outlet. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)Photo: Gareth Copley