Leeds United enjoyed their best win of the season against Premier League leaders Manchester City yesterday, but they were made to battle for victory.
Stuart Dallas was the match-winner at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon, scoring both goals in a brilliant 2-1 win.
Leeds’ task was made even more difficult after captain Liam Cooper was sent off at the end of the second half for a high foot on Gabriel Jesus.
Dallas opened the scoring with a precise finish which cannoned off the inside of the post from the edge of the box as the visitors went in 1-0 up.
The Whites defended sternly, but City equalised in the 76th minute when Ferran Torres finished an incisive move involving Bernardo Silva.
Leeds sat deep and soaked up pressure before Gjanni Alioski sent Dallas through on the break in injury time, with the Northern Irish international slotting a shot through Ederson’s legs to win it.
Although he didn’t score, Raphinha was a constant threat for Leeds, with his driving runs and pace causing City problems throughout the game.
His fantastic performance came at a personal cost, however, with the Brazilian winger on the receiving end of a heavy tackle from compatriot Fernandinho late on.
With Leeds running through on the counter-attack, Fernandinho unceremoniously dumped Raphinha to the floor, making heavy contact with his thigh to pick up a yellow card.
Raphinha was seen limping and was replaced by Jamie Shackleton for the closing stages, but Marcelo Bielsa played down any concerns over his star winger’s fitness post-match.
“I haven't asked, but I don't have the feeling it is anything serious,” Bielsa said.
It wasn’t the only poor challenge Raphinha had to deal with either. The 24-year-old also sustained a whack to his ankle courtesy of Raheem Sterling - and he wasn’t shy to make his thoughts on the challenge clear on social media.
Referring to Cooper’s red card, alongside a picture of Sterling’s tackle, he wrote on his Instagram story: “One was an expulsion and the other was missing... do you know which was which?”
The following picture on his story will be of greater concern to Leeds fans, showing his left thigh wrapped in a bandage.
“We follow,” he wrote in Portuguese as a caption, along with eyes and fire emojis.
Having inflicted Man City’s first home defeat against a promoted side in 42 Premier League games, Whites supporters will hope Raphinha can shake off the sore leg before the match against Liverpool on Monday, April 19.
“He played a very unbalancing game,” Bielsa said of Raphinha’s performance.
“When he received balls where he could try to unbalance, he managed to achieve it.
“I don't have it clear whether it was his best game or not, but it was a game where he had a very big influence.”
