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Manchester City held by Premier League newcomers Leeds 1-1

Manchester City held by Premier League newcomers Leeds 1-1
Leeds United's Kalvin Phillips, left, vies for the ball with Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne during the English Premier League soccer match between Leeds United and Manchester City at Elland Road in Leeds, England, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020. (AP)
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Updated 04 October 2020

Manchester City held by Premier League newcomers Leeds 1-1

Manchester City held by Premier League newcomers Leeds 1-1
  • Jorginho nets 2 Chelsea penalties after captain intervenes

LONDON: Pep Guardiola was frustrated by the strength of guru Marcelo Bielsa’s Premier League newcomers as Manchester City were held 1-1 by Leeds on Saturday.
At a rainy, empty Elland Road — due to coronavirus restrictions — Rodrigo came off the bench in the second half to equalize with his first goal since joining Leeds ahead of the season in a club-record transfer.

The Spaniard pounced on a mistake by City goalkeeper Ederson to turn the ball home from close range in the 59th minute.

It canceled out the 16th-minute goal from Raheem Sterling, who cut inside on the left edge of the penalty area and drove a low shot inside the far post.

Leeds are in fifth place on their return to the top division after 16 years. But 2018 and 2019 champion Manchester City are eight points behind leader Everton in 10th place, albeit with a game in hand.

Meanwhile, Jorginho scored two penalties — the second after Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta stopped Tammy Abraham taking it — to complete a 4-0 victory over Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday.

Chelsea’s lead was secured by Ben Chilwell scoring on his league debut for Chelsea from Abraham’s flick-on in the 50th minute and the leftback’s cross set up Kurt Zouma for a header in the 66th.

Jorginho added the third from the penalty spot in the 78th after Abraham was tripped by Tyrick Mitchell at an empty Stamford Bridge.

Abraham hoped to get on the scoresheet when Kai Havertz was fouled by Mamadou Sakho. 

But the striker’s bid to take the spot kick was overruled by Azpilicueta intervening to hand the ball to Jorginho, who converted in the 82nd.

“No problems, it’s dealt with,” Chelsea manager Frank Lampard said. 

“I want leaders and I don’t mind a bit of conflict. If Tammy wanted to take it because he wanted to goal ... then he can get put in his place a little bit.

“I appreciate his eagerness because his performance deserved a goal but those are the rules. You don’t just jump ahead in the (penalty takers’) list.”

American forward Christian Pulisic came off the bench in 83rd for his first appearance since recovering from a right hamstring injury sustained in Chelsea’s FA Cup final loss to Arsenal in August.

Chelsea have seven points from four games and Palace is on six.