Leadership at the back played a key role for Manchester City in their win over Leeds

Manchester City had to hang on to preserve their 1-0 lead over Leeds United at Elland Road yesterday. In the final ten minutes of the match, Daniel Farke’s side threw everything at Pep Guardiola’s side in a bid to find an equalizer. What stood out in those final ten minutes, as it did throughout yesterday’s Premier League fixture, was that City are blessed with an array of leaders at the back. Ruben Dias and Marc Guehi in particular helped steady the ship for Manchester City as they left Elland Road with three valuable points yesterday.

Marc Guehi and Ruben Dias were rocks at the back for Manchester City against Leeds.

There is no doubt that Leeds had their moments against Manchester City at Elland Road yesterday. Daniel Farke’s side created several good chances in the opening twenty minutes of yesterday’s match. Dominic Calvert-Lewin created headaches for the City defence but he spurned two good opportunities. After Leeds bright start to the game, City stabilized. Outside of a Gianluigi Donnarumma save to deny Brenden Aaronson in the 39th minute, City kept Leeds at bay. They also held on under fierce Leeds pressure in the final ten minutes of yesterday’s match. A key part of this was the performances of Ruben Dias and Marc Guehi.

Dias and Guehi were both superb at the back for Manchester City yesterday. The pair dealt with the physical threat of Dominic Calvert-Lewin with aplomb. Manchester City’s centre-backs made a host of crucial challenges, and when the pressure did come from Leeds, they dealt with that superbly. The presence of Guehi and Dias also makes their teammates walk taller. Matheus Nunes and Rayan Ait-Nouri were both superb defensively against Leeds. Having two strong characters and leaders at the back has a clear influence on those two. That was undeniable, and as City saw off the threat of Leeds from corners and set pieces during the latter stages, Guehi and Dias led the way for their team.

Strength at the back could be invaluable to City across the final stages of this season.

Manchester City are continuing to fight for honors on multiple fronts this season. As the big games continue, Pep Guardiola’s side won’t have it all their own way in matches. There will be times when they will have to ride out spells of pressure from their opponents. With Gianluigi Donnarumma, Ruben Dias, and Marc Guehi at the back, City have the leaders in their midst to handle those moments. We saw it on Saturday against Leeds, and it probably won’t be the last time that we see Manchester City’s leaders at the back stand up in pivotal moments this season.