Sam Allardyce's Leeds United took another step towards the Championship on Saturday afternoon as they were beaten 2-1 by Man City at the Etihad Stadium. Here's the winners and losers.
Winners
Rodrigo
The striker only got 32 minutes on the field but he managed to send Allardyce a firm message going into the remaining three games of the season by getting his name on the scoresheet. Bamford was the head coach’s preferred choice to lead the line from the start but much of the game was allowed to pass the England international by.
Read more: Leeds United player ratings as Junior Firpo and Weston McKennie struggle in one-way Man City loss
His service was non-existent in fairness, but after failing to provide any real presence in attacking areas for the Whites, he was overshadowed by Rodrigo, who stepped off the bench to grab Leeds’ only goal of the game. He took it well, too, bringing down Junior Firpo’s flick on and beating Ederson with a low effort, showing the type of composure in front of goal he’s displayed all season.
Rodrigo would have every right to feel unfortunate if he didn't start next week against Newcastle United.
Losers
Illan Meslier
Allardyce had to make a decision between the sticks and he did, dropping Meslier for Joel Robles after the Frenchman’s miserable showing against Bournemouth last time out. Meslier’s body language said it all as he went out to warm up, making his way out onto the turf without the usual vigour and enthusiasm and he watched on as Robles went through a rigorous warm-up.
Whoever was in net for Leeds was always going to have a tough day at the Etihad Stadium, but there’s no real reason for Allardyce to change it moving forward now, it seems. What that means for Meslier going into the summer is hard to say, but his confidence will have reached a new low.
Junior Firpo
Firpo was at fault for both the first half goals Man City scored in the game, allowing Riyad Mahrez to turn onto his stronger foot and pick out Ilkay Gundogan on the edge of the area on both occasions. Both goals were fine finishes from the 18-yard line, but the ball should never have found its way to Gundogan in the first place.
Mahrez was constantly looking to come inside and pose a threat and Firpo failed to handle it at key moments. Of course he wasn’t the only poor performer on the day but ultimately it was his mistakes that led to the goals.
Erling Haaland
The Leeds-born striker may have broken a Premier League record in midweek, but it just wasn’t his day on Saturday, much to the delight of those travelling Leeds fans who never stopped singing. The striker had his chances, he dominated Rasmus Kristensen and struck the woodwork twice but no matter how hard he tried to he couldn’t find the back of the net.
