Jesse Marsch stated Leeds United’s “hearts and minds” are with Stuart Dallas after being stretchered off against Man City, though the prognosis on Liam Cooper was thankfully more positive.
Leeds brought the fight after losing 7-0 in the reverse fixture, but were once again powerless to stop Man City marching to a heavy victory. Their weakness at set pieces was exposed for each of City’s first two goals. Rodri ghosted in unmarked to bag the first before Ruben Dias’ knock-down was swept home by Nathan Ake for the second.
Gabriel Jesus and Fernanidnho rounded out the scoring, though Leeds did have chances of their own to make the scoreline look respectable.
Rodrigo could’ve been the catalyst for putting the Whites ahead inside three minutes. But rather than square to the open Raphinha, the Spaniard curiously chose to go alone before then passing when the opportunity had gone.
Aymeric Laporte and Joao Cancelo both produced goal-line blocks, while Ederson was required to save with his feet to preserve the clean sheet late on.
Regardless, Burnley’s victory over Watford earlier in the day – combined with Leeds’ 4-0 defeat here – has ensured the threat of relegation cannot yet be ruled out.
PLAYER RATINGS: Leeds Utd man endures latest nightmare; Man City ace unplayable in bruising win
Leeds concluded the afternoon with two injuries – one to Liam Cooper during the warm-up and another to Stuart Dallas.
Dallas’ injury left Leeds fans fearing the worst after the full-back was in visible agony after his knee appeared to buckle in a challenge with Jack Grealish.
Stuart Dallas injury a major concern
Dallas was stretchered off and speaking to the BBC after the match, Marsch said: “Our hearts and minds are with Stuart Dallas right now. It looks like a knee injury that’s not great. We hope he’s OK.
“The result was worse than we hoped but the performance was better. We played with confidence. It didn’t feel like a 4-0 match.
“We had momentum…