Leeds United were unable to bridge the gap in quality on Saturday night as they lost 1-0 to title contenders Manchester City. Antoine Semenyo’s first-half goal proved the decider as the Whites fell to a rare home defeat.
Leeds gave as good as they got for much of the first half but were cut open in a crucial moment. Rayan Ait-Nouri ran beyond Anton Stach and placed a perfect cross into the path of Semenyo to make it 1-0 seconds before the break.
City controlled large parts of the second-half without seriously threatening to double their lead. Farke threw on some attacking reinforcements as Leeds pressed for a leveller but it never came, despite a flurry of late pressure and the best efforts of those inside Elland Road.
YEP chief football writer Graham Smyth was at Elland Road to watch the action. Here are his Leeds United player ratings...
7. CM: Ethan Ampadu
6 - Kept Leeds going to the end but got a few first half touches wrong and lost a couple of battles in the second half. | AFP via Getty Images
8. CM: Ilia Gruev
6 - Worked hard and had a ding-dong battle with Cherki but couldn't get the best of it often enough. Began to struggle before being withdrawn. | Getty Images
9. CM: Anton Stach
8 - Faded a little in influence for a spell in the second half before getting a second wind. Some good deliveries, from open play and dead balls. Got about the pitch. Read the game well. | AFP via Getty Images
10. CAM: Brenden Aaronson
7 - Created a golden chance for Calvert-Lewin but wasted his own. Worked tirelessly to press and cover distance. Could have been tidier in moments. | Getty Images
11. ST: Dominic Calvert-Lewin
6 - Wasteful with his big moments. Worked hard to give Leeds a platform and press. Caused problems in the air. | Getty Images
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12. Sub: Lukas Nmecha
7 - Lively enough, helped create mayhem towards the end. | Getty Images