Foden Fires City to Last-Gasp Victory in Etihad Thriller
Phil Foden emerged as the hero for Manchester City, scoring a dramatic stoppage-time winner to secure a pulsating 3-2 Premier League victory over a defiant Leeds United at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, 29th November 2025. The England midfielder, who had also opened the scoring, broke Leeds' hearts with a low strike in the 93rd minute, snatching three points just when the visitors seemed to have secured an unlikely draw.
City's Dominant First Half
The match began in blistering fashion for the hosts, who took the lead after just 59 seconds. A fluid move involving Matheus Nunes and Bernardo Silva ended with a cross that Phil Foden expertly clipped over goalkeeper Lucas Perri and in off the crossbar. City continued to dominate, with Perri making fine saves to deny Foden a second and later a header from Nico O'Reilly.
The pressure told as City doubled their lead. From a Tijjani Reijnders corner, Perri failed to claim the cross, and Josko Gvardiol forced the ball over the line from close range. A lengthy VAR check dismissed Leeds' claims of offside interference against Silva, and the goal stood, sending City into the interval with a comfortable 2-0 advantage.
Leeds' Remarkable Second-Half Fightback
The complexion of the game changed entirely after the break, sparked by the introduction of Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Leeds found a route back into the game following a Matheus Nunes error. The City midfielder played a poor pass that caused defensive chaos, and after a tangle with Ruben Dias, Nunes inadvertently set up Calvert-Lewin, who finished calmly.
The comeback was complete when Jayden Bogle headed the ball into the path of Calvert-Lewin, who was then fouled in the area by Josko Gvardiol. Lukas Nmecha saw his initial penalty saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma, but he slotted home the rebound to level the scores, sending the travelling fans into delirium.
Foden's Final Act
With the game heading for a draw, City poured forward in search of a winner. Their pressure finally told in the third minute of added time. Phil Foden found space on the edge of the box and drove a low, precise shot into the bottom corner, securing a vital three points for Pep Guardiola's side and leaving a battling Leeds empty-handed.
The result was a cruel blow for Leeds and their manager Daniel Farke, whose side showed immense character to fight back from two goals down. For Manchester City, it was a victory of relief, showcasing both their scintillating best and a vulnerability that nearly proved costly.
