admin9/10 Leeds star has made himself as undroppable as Ampadu after Man City
Leeds United will understandably feel frustrated after their 3-2 defeat to Manchester City this afternoon, but there were still encouraging signs to take from their performance at the Etihad Stadium.
Daniel Farke’s double substitution at half-time quickly paid off, with Leeds levelling the score within minutes, despite many supporters questioning the decision to withdraw Dan James and Wilfried Gnonto.
Yet City ultimately prevailed, as Phil Foden’s stoppage-time strike secured all three points for the hosts, handing Leeds their sixth Premier League loss in seven matches.
Even in defeat, several Leeds players can leave Manchester proud of their efforts — and one individual in particular deserves major recognition.
Ethan Ampadu’s standout display vs Manchester City
For the 12th league match this season, Ethan Ampadu started in central midfield and wore the captain’s armband. His performance was one of true leadership, producing an outstanding display backed by impressive statistics.
The 25-year-old completed the full 90 minutes and recorded an impressive 46 successful passes — more than any other Leeds player on the day. He also succeeded with half of his attempted dribbles and made two forward passes into the final third, regularly trying to launch counter-attacks in the second half.
Ampadu’s impact wasn’t limited to his distribution. He registered four recoveries and won 67% of his ground duels, making him arguably one of the most underrated performers at the Etihad.
He wasn’t the only Leeds player to shine, however, and his midfield influence highlights another key figure Farke should rely on regularly.
The Leeds player who must become undroppable
Many expected a routine Manchester City win, but Leeds fought admirably — all you can hope for given their current situation. While some may question Farke for not closing out the game for a draw, it was individual mistakes that ultimately led to City’s late winner.
Supporters should also recognise that it was the manager’s bold changes at the break that sparked the comeback. Farke switched to an unfamiliar 3-5-2 formation, and the introduction of Dominic Calvert-Lewin dramatically shifted the momentum.
Replacing Gnonto at half-time, the striker made an immediate impact. His first goal since September may not have been spectacular, but it was well deserved as he forced the ball past Gianluigi Donnarumma after a determined effort.
Calvert-Lewin also played a major role in the second goal, winning the penalty after being fouled by Josko Gvardiol, which Lukas Nmecha converted on the rebound.
His numbers off the bench were exceptional: he completed every attempted dribble, won 80% of his ground duels, drew three fouls, and provided a pass into the final third — constantly unsettling the City defence. Leeds United journalist Graham Smyth awarded him a 9/10 match rating, reflecting his pivotal contribution in the comeback effort.
On the strength of this performance, it’s hard to argue against Calvert-Lewin starting regularly. His physical presence and attacking instincts consistently trouble opposition backlines.
Ampadu has also proven throughout the season that he is a reliable Premier League performer, and the pair could very well be crucial to Leeds’ survival hopes by the time the campaign concludes.
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