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IT has been a fascination throughout the first half of the season: how would teams cope with the World Cup break?
Manchester City had more players in Qatar than any other Premier League club but there were no signs of weariness in their win at Leeds – and their most important asset looks rested and motivated to fire them to another title defence.
Erling Haaland spoke about his frustration on missing out on the World Cup, with Norway failing to qualify.
But the combination of recuperation and determination he’s built up over the past six weeks could well pay off for Man City.
Afterwards he said he could have scored five and the series of chances Man City created at Elland Road will encourage Pep Guardiola about how his team as a whole have coped with the interruption.
There was some slick football played, despite relentless pressure from Leeds. It was a welcome win and performance with what’s ahead.
After Everton at the Etihad on New Year’s Eve, City’s next Premier League games take them to Chelsea and Manchester United, before Tottenham come to town towards the end of January.
In between there are FA Cup and Carabao Cup ties, too. It’s a potentially decisive period in City’s domestic campaign.
Any slip up in the league would allow Arsenal to extend their already significant advantage – but Haaland and City showed they are fired up for the second part of this season.
Peter Smith
Is negative mindset holding Grealish back?
Jack Grealish was happily cast as the villain.
His every touch was jeered by the Leeds supporters before he departed, stage right, in the 73rd minute.
It is pantomime season, after all.
Five times he was fouled as the Leeds players sought to get under his skin, his socks down by his ankles.
On one occasion he slammed the turf in frustration as Rasmus Kristensen resumed their battle shortly after half-time.
Grealish would provide two assists across the piece, but it was his finishing in the first half – and reluctance to shoot when setting up Erling Haaland for his first – which was the takeaway from his latest display.
Did he not trust himself?
An overall xG of 0.72 tells only half the story as the playmaker lifted two glorious chances over the bar before Rodri’s opener.
It is clear that Grealish has an abundance of talent but the company he shares are increasing their output.
Phil Foden was kept out here, but such is the competition that the two assists he pocketed may not be enough to keep him in the side.
When asked about the need to add more goals to his game, Pep Guardiola said: “He got two assists but of course he has to score more. The chances are there and it’s a question of mentality. We’ve seen in the training sessions he has the ability to put the ball into the net. He’s not a striker but he has the ability to do it. He can’t have any negativity in his mind.”
Grealish has just one goal in 18 appearances for City so far this season. Demons or no demons, he needs to be doing a lot better.
Ben Grounds
Marsch with little room for manoeuvre as critical period looms Leeds haven’t won any of their last eight Premier League home games against reigning champions, and their sixth defeat in that run felt a foregone conclusion from the moment Erling Haaland notched the first of his customary goals at Elland Road.
Rodri’s opener was a hammer blow on the stroke of half-time but the hosts could have few complaints.
Up to that point, the usual intensity and aggression associated with a Leeds team was missing but they hauled themselves off the canvas to restore some pride in the final quarter of an hour and might have set up a grandstand finish had Joe Gelhardt steered home Sam Greenwood’s cross.
Had City been more clinical in the opening 45 minutes, they might have been out of sight.
Midfielder Brenden Aaronson told Amazon Prime: “The goal on the stroke of half-time was a gut punch. There’s a lot of what-ifs. We’re getting ourselves into these situations and we need to get ourselves out of them. We need to be better on the transition.”
Jesse Marsch has already been under intense scrutiny this term and the feeling that he needs a result has never gone away.
The club’s director of football Victor Orta is unlikely to loosen the purse strings in January so Marsch will need to get more out of the likes of Jack Harrison, left out again here.
Patrick Bamford was also missing so it is clear where Leeds will focus any spending to supplement the raw talents of Greenwood, Gelhardt and the emerging Wilfried Gnonto – as well as a natural left-back.
Marsch put on a brave face and praised his side’s courage as they fed off the atmosphere eventually but a daunting run of fixtures now awaits the American.
Newcastle are next at St James’ Park on New Year’s Eve with West Ham the visitors to West Yorkshire next Wednesday.
Then come Aston Villa, Brentford and Nottingham Forest.
A two-point gap to the bottom three, Leeds are looking over their shoulders at a crucial moment in their season. – Skysports.
Online Reporter