Ilkay Gundogan scored twice but missed a penalty for Man City against Leeds (Photo: Getty)
Pep Guardiola was ‘mad’ with Ilkay Gundogan and Erling Haaland after their penalty gaff nearly cost Manchester City dearly against Leeds.
Gundogan had scored twice against Leeds in the first-half of Saturday’s game at the Etihad, but a third goal was proving elusive for City.
That was until the 84th minute when Phil Foden won a penalty after a being brought down in the box by Pascal Struijk, with many expecting Haaland to once again take the spot-kick.
But instead the record-breaking striker handed the ball to Gundogan to allow his captain to complete what would have been a first career hattrick.
But the German midfielder could only fire his penalty onto the post leaving Guardiola furious on the touchline, with his anger only growing after Rodrigo scored for Leeds less than sixty seconds later.
Though the Citizens held on for a 2-1 win, Guardiola did not look at all happy and made no effort to speak to Gundogan as he was subbed off despite putting in a brilliant man of the match display.
‘First he [Guardiola] showed to Erling that he was quite mad about that and then also he had a go at me,’ the 32-year-old told BBC MOTD while explaining the penalty incident.
‘It is what it is at the end. The moment Erling grabbed the ball, I was sure he was going to take it but he looked out for me. I checked with him a few times to make sure he was sure. He was certain to hand the ball to me.
‘I was confident to score. I can’t even remember if the keeper saved it or it was the post? We should have scored a third. This is sometimes how it is that they go on the counter and score.
‘Things can change, momentum can shift. But we dealt quite well with it and deserved the three points.’
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The result means City have now four points clear of title rivals Arsenal having played the same number of games, with the Gunners taking on Newcastle on Sunday.
On the title race, Gundogan aded: ‘The best warning is today. But we have an experienced team and have had these kind of run-ins in recent years.
‘We know what to do to keep the momentum going and winning games. Nothing more but also nothing less.’
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Man City held on to beat Leeds 2-1.