Liam Cooper was quick to recognise Leeds United's fantastic support at the Etihad Stadium yesterday. The away end was in fine voice for Sam Allardyce's first game in charge.
Although it ended in defeat, with the damage done earlier in the game, the supporters headed home with optimism following Rodrigo's late strike, which set up a nervous finish for the champions.
Big Sam, who has succeeded Javi Gracia in the Elland Road dugout, has three matches remaining to save Leeds' Premier League status and he will need every one of those supporters in the away end yesterday when Newcastle visit on Saturday.
READ MORE: Alan Shearer critical of what Patrick Bamford did at Manchester City as Leeds United warned
Eddie Howe's men are chasing Champions League football and it promises to be another tough encounter for the Yorkshire club but fans will head into the fixture with renewed confidence after being buoyed by what they saw at the Etihad.
Taking to Twitter after the match, popular Leeds security official Martin Sykes wrote: "Absolute class, the best fans by a country mile. You can buy a club, buy a team but you’ll never buy a fan base like that, amazing!"
The game had not long finished when Cooper agreed with Sykes' thoughts, saying: 'What that man said'.
The defeat left Leeds United looking over their shoulders at what Nottingham Forest and Everton do tomorrow.
As it stands, Leeds sit one place outside the relegation places, but will find themselves in the bottom three if Forest pick up at least a point at home to Southampton, or Everton beat Brighton away.
Leeds' remaining three matches start with Newcastle and include a trip to West Ham before a final-day clash at home to Spurs.
READ NEXT
- Leeds United news as Alan Shearer delivers Whites survival verdict, Sam Allardyce warned
- Sam Allardyce's first big Leeds United decision vindicated after ruthless break with trend
- Manchester City 2-1 Leeds United as it happened
Leeds United player ratings as Firpo and McKennie struggle in one-way City loss
Sam Allardyce 'masterstroke' praised as fans react to his first Leeds United XI
