Sam Allardyce slams his Leeds side for wasting a free-kick in his return to the dugout vs Man City

Sam Allardyce slapped his Leeds players after they squandered a free-kick chance as they were beaten 2-1 by Manchester City at the Etihad, two goals down before the break.

Leeds are currently battling to climb out of the relegation zone and after sacking Javi Gracia last week, Allardyce was appointed as his successor and today returned to the dugout for the first time since leaving West Brom in 2021.

Yet he was visibly disappointed in his side just before half-time, having conceded two goals in the first 45 minutes, with Ilkay Gundogan scoring a duo of goals to give Pep Guardiola’s side an early lead. He could have made it 3-0 from the penalty spot in the second half, but uncharacteristically hit the woodwork.

Just before half-time, referee Andy Madley awarded Leeds a free-kick just on the halfway line, and they had a chance to put pressure on Man City deep in their half, but the wasteful free-kick went over the city line and out of play, much to great manager’s displeasure.

The Sky Sports cameras then cut to the Leeds boss on the sidelines looking livid and uttering the words ‘what f****** waste’.

Manchester City seemed to be in control throughout the game and came out in the second half with Erling Haaland testing Joel Robles before coming back again to hit the woodwork.

But they had to lament their missed opportunities, Rodrigo got one back for Leeds with six minutes to go spelling, taking advantage of a poor defense from Pep Guardiola’s side to make a precise end past Ederson into the net to make the scores 2 -1 and make it a nerve-racking end for City.

Before the match, Allardyce could be seen on Sky Sports’ coverage of the match walking out of the tunnel saying ‘Here we go again.’

More to follow…