If Phil Foden’s brace was separated by 90 minutes, there was more than just time between the goals that bookended a crazy game. The emotions fluctuated, the balance of power shifted. Manchester City assumed a position of complete dominance. Leeds United mounted a stirring, stunning comeback. And, at the end, the situation was as it had been after one minute: one goal between them and Foden the match-winner.
Yet the victors showcased frailties and the losers seemed to emerge stronger than they were beforehand. It was that kind of illogical occasion. For City, the loss of control in the second half ought to be worrying. At home, against a promoted team, with a comfortable lead, they surrendered their advantage. For Leeds, Daniel Farke’s game-changing substitution was a reason not to dispense with a Championship-winning manager. Farke had Pep Guardiola on the rack.
