Abu Kamara scored a stunning 90th-minute volley to earn a 3-3 draw against Leeds United after being 3-1 down at the MKM Stadium against the league leaders.
City roared into a fifth-minute lead when Kamara raced onto Mason Burstow’s defence-splitting pass to lift a fine effort over Illan Meslier and into the net. It should have been two shortly after the half-hour mark, when Regan Slater crashed an effort against the post.
Leeds recovered in the second half to lead 3-1 through goals from Ao Tanaka, Dan James and Joel Piroe before City’s late recovery saw Joao Pedro turn in from close range with 10 minutes to go, and then with the Tigers pushing for a leveler, Kamara pummelled in a volley to earn a deserved point.
Here’s how Tigers reporter Barry Cooper rated the players at the MKM Stadium on Saturday afternoon against their Yorkshire rivals….
Ivor Pandur: Did what he had to do very, very well in the first period but was very shaky in the second and his over-playing was costly. 5/10
Matty Jacob: Tough gig up against Dan James, but stuck to his task well in the first period and almost scored with a rasping volley. Superb header away under his bar in the second half. 7/10
Sean McLoughlin: Solid first half, did what he had to do well. Got a bit ragged in the second half as City were cut open but his header helped City get back in the game. 7/10
Alfie Jones: A decent, confident showing in the first period to help City in level at the break. Tough second half given their comeback. Recovered and went again. 7/10
Lewie Coyle: Back on the right side and battled hard in the first period. Struggled as the Tigers went 3-1 down before recovering in the final stages. 7/10
Regan Slater: Should have doubled City’s lead from Puerta’s brilliant cross but crashed his effort against the post and that one again proved costly. Never gave up and delivered a real shift. 7/10
Gustavo Puerta: Superb early on, and his lung-bursting run down the left fashioned the chance for Slater to score, but he hit the post. Kept going throughout before coming off. 6.5/10
Steven Alzate: Was excellent in the early stages. A couple of delicious turns in the middle of the park, and then came close with a lovely effort. Lost his man for the equaliser and was sacrificed late on. 6.5/10
Mason Burstow: Wonderful pass through to set Kamara clear and score his first Tigers goal, battled hard for little reward before coming off. 6/10
Abu Kamara: Started with a decent tackle inside his own half to get the crowd up and then kicked off his Tigers career with a delicious lob over Meslier to give City the lead. Kept at it all afternoon and smashed in a stunning equaliser before coming off to a standing ovation. A performance full of courage and character. A mad 24 hours. 10/10
Joao Pedro: Ran the line well, showed some clever moments when needed. Right place, right time, to score the second which sparked a sensational recovery. Never stopped. 8/10
Subs:
Xavier Simons (for Alzate 68): Got on the ball and tried to get City going in the middle of the park, after Leeds took control. 6/10
Harry Vaughan (for Burstow 67): Showed real tenacity and energy after coming on and played his part in a spirited recovery. 7/10
Fin Burns (for Puerta 93): Thrown on in a bid to offer fresh legs and try and keep the point. 6/10
Tyrell Sellars-Fleming (for Kamara 93): Like Fin Burns, sent on to add extra legs in the final minute. 6/10
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