Manchester City extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table to four points with a mostly comfortable 2-1 victory over Leeds in Sam Allardyce 's first outing as their new boss.
Ilkay Gundogan scored two goals in the first 27 minutes to give City a commanding lead before Erling Haaland squandered a series of gilt-edged chances to increase the reigning champions' advantage. A new-look Leeds defence managed to stop Pep Guardiola and co from inflicting any further damage - with help from the post when Gundogan missed an 84th-minute penalty, allowing substitute Rodrigo to pull a goal back and cause an anxious ending inside the Etihad.
The result leaves City in firm control of the title race, challenging Arsenal to pick up a win away at Newcastle on Sunday. As for Allardyce's relegation-threatened Leeds, they're still narrowly outside the bottom three thanks to their superior goal difference.
Here are five talking points from the Etihad Stadium.
Big Sam's first big call
After his appointment was confirmed on Wednesday, all eyes turned to what Sam Allardyce would do in the three days leading up to Leeds' trip to Manchester. One of the biggest decisions he had to make was whether or not to stick with struggling goalkeeper Illan Meslier in the starting line-up.
Unfortunately for the 23-year-old Frenchman, Big Sam chose to axe him and brought in Joel Robles, who he worked with at Everton, for his first Premier League appearance of the campaign. Another notable call from Allardyce was to select right-back Rasmus Kristensen in the middle of a back four alongside Max Wober in the hope that they'd use their physicality to deal with Ering Haaland.
Evergreen Gundogan
To be captain of arguably the best team on the planet and keep a £42million signing - Kalvin Phillips - out of the starting line-up when someone like Rodri is rested, you've got to be one hell of a good player. Yet Ilkay Gundogan, Pep Guardiola's first addition back in the hazy days of June 2016, might be walking away from Manchester City this summer at the end of his contract.
Barcelona are circling for the German midfielder's signature and Gundogan, wearing the armband, gave a reminder that his class is permanent with a pair of crisp finishes inside 27 minutes. Profiting from some skilful play by Riyad Mahrez on the right wing on both occasions, the 32-year-old maestro tucked home past the helpless Robles in either corner from the edge of the penalty area.
It felt like game over the moment his second strike nestled in the back of the net, with the possession at 83-17. Gundogan could yet sign a new deal but a free transfer elsewhere looms and City fans will only fond memories of their consistent, reliable and underrated No.8 - although not so reliable from the penalty spot, as he rattled the post with the chance for his first ever hat-trick with six minutes to go.
Haaland's howlers
Okay, we'll admit it, it's pleasing for us mere mortals to see Erling Haaland being human for once. After becoming the first player to score 35 goals in a 38-game Premier League season against West Ham on Wednesday, the City striker was hoping to strengthen his record when his dad's former team, Leeds, came to town.
Unfortunately, Haaland junior somehow missed two gilt-edged chances in the first half and left the Etihad stunned for the wrong reasons. Robles firstly held firm with a smart save shortly before Gundogan's opener, only for the Spanish 'keeper to be left thanking his lucky stars when Haaland thrashed a shot wide when the goal was gaping just before half-time.
On top of those two uncharacteristic misses, the Norwegian powerhouse tripped over himself while attempting to take a shot in the box and after the break, rattled the crossbar with a bullet header from point-blank range before hitting the post with a dragged shot. Real Madrid fans, there's hope for you...
Ake concern resurfaces
Perhaps as startling as City's formidable run of performances in recent weeks has been the fact they've rarely had to worry about injuries this season. The club's medical department and coaching staff have done an excellent job at keeping Guardiola's men fresh right through to the run-in, but Nathan Ake still isn't over a hamstring injury suffered against Bayern Munich last month.
The Dutch left-back was ruled out for three games as a consequence, only making his return in midweek and marking it with the crucial opening goal. Going down rather innocuously in the 53rd minute, Ake pulled his socks down and knew his game was up, although it's unclear where it was the same injury as he suffered in Munich.
It leaves Guardiola with the same concern, though, who to play at left-back instead of the 28-year-old.
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Leeds' late lifeline as City suffer scare
Just as City were strolling to victory and given a helping hand when Pascal Struijk gave away a penalty two minutes after coming on as a late substitute, Gundogan hit the post with the resulting penalty. After the restart, just as Guardiola had finished yelling at Haaland for not taking the penalty, another Leeds sub in Rodrigo struck on the counter attack to make it 2-1.
But it was a hope which quickly faded as City soon regained their composure in the final few minutes, showing how cautious they were when they kept the ball in the corner during injury time. It was a far cry from the comfort they'd enjoyed throughout much of the second half, as Guardiola looked furious on the touchline.
Such as their desperation to sack Javi Gracia after just 12 games in charge and with four to go, Leeds are now at the mercy of other sides' results in their pursuit of Premier League survival. While Allardyce's masterplan didn't work out, a 2-1 defeat still keeps them out of the relegation zone thanks to the fact they're eight goals better off than 18th-placed Nottingham Forest.
Leeds could, however, end up second bottom by the end of the Bank Holiday weekend should Forest and Everton pick up wins. Meanwhile for City, they're now four points clear of Arsenal at the summit with the same amount of games played, a clear sign of Guardiola and co's command on the league title race.
