Credit: Imago / Manh Tung - Breaking Media

Harri Burton

Sat 28 February 2026 19:29, UK

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Peter Bankes infuriated both sets of supporters as Leeds United welcomed Man City to a late-night Elland Road clash.

Emotions were already high after Daniel Farke‘s side missed several gilt-edge chances in the opening stages, only for Antoine Semenyo to net the opener seconds before the half-time whistle.

Leeds continued to push for an all-important equaliser, hoping to extend their four-game unbeaten streak, but Pep Guardiola’s side kept the gates firmly locked away from home.

The Whites pinned Man City back right until the final whistle, with Jaka Bijol coming eye-wateringly close from a corner, but it was not enough to steal a point against the Premier League title chasers.

• Read more: Leeds fans were all in agreement over Erling Haaland’s absence at Elland Road.

Rodri was rightly furious with Ilia Gruev

In the 18th minute, Gianluigi Donnarumma did well to deny James Justin, and as the goalkeeper tried to start a new attack, Ilia Gruev sparked a heated moment at Elland Road.

The Bulgarian international crashed into Rodri, with the Man City midfielder getting up to confront Gruev, having to be pushed apart by teammates and opposition players.

Bankes made sure to have a word with each once things had cooled down, but the referee was more than within his rights to brandish a yellow card to the Leeds midfielder.

Peter Bankes clueless as Rayan Cherki gets away with clear stamp

Just a few moments into the second half, Gruev was involved in yet another contentious moment. This time, however, he was on the receiving end of the incident.

In an attempt to drag the ball away from the Leeds midfielder, Rayan Cherki raked his studs down his opponent’s leg. Whether or not it was on purpose… Well, that should have been Bankes’ decision.

VAR never got involved, so it was up to the referee to act, and he decided against punishing the player.

• Read more: Peter Bankes was most recently praised after “terrific” Arsenal vs Chelsea decision.

Pep Guardiola gets fully involved at Elland Road

The Citizens were really feeling the pressure at Elland Road, and it was clear just how close Leeds were coming to an equaliser when analysing Guardiola’s body language.

In the closing stages, the Catalan might as well have been on the pitch, kicking each ball alongside his players, but the referee did absolutely nothing to combat the overbearing manager.

Much like how Mikel Arteta gets stick for coming out of his technical area, Guardiola should have at least had a word from the referee, if not a booking on the sidelines.