PLAYER RATINGS: Ayling and De Bruyne were majestic in titanic tussle but Mendy was badly exposed

Rodrigo’s first Premier League goal gained Leeds a deserved point in a pulsating 1-1 draw against Manchester City at Elland Road.

Raheem Sterling‘s drilled finish was all City had to show for a dominant first half and Leeds’ club-record £27million signing Rodrigo equalised from close range in the 59th minute.

Sportsmail’s Ian Whittell rated the players on Saturday night.

Defender Luke Ayling recovered from a difficult start to drive on his side in epic encounter

Leeds (4-1-4-1)

Illan Meslier – 7

Nearly caught out by early De Bruyne free-kick but, on a busy night, emerged with credit, good one on one save from Sterling.

Luke Ayling – 8

Tortured by Sterling for the first 20 minutes but recovered heroically. Linked well going forward as the game wore on.

Robin Koch – 6

Made a couple of key blocks while City dominated and did well with City’s pace and mobility through the middle.

Liam Cooper – 6

Badly at fault for the opener but survived a torrid opening half hour by City and finished better.

Stuart Dallas – 6

Mateusz Klich produced a strong showing in the middle with a couple of key contributions

Great block denied Torres in the first half and became a major attacking force as Leeds fought back. But lucky to escape a late red.

Kalvin Phillips – 7

Over-run in midfield early and hounded off the ball but grew into the game and his corner led to equaliser.

Helder Costa – 6

Couple of promising moments and much more prominent as Leeds took over the game after the break.

Mateusz Klich – 7

Strong showing in the middle with couple of key contributions and needed to be, with City’s skills going forward.

Tyler Roberts – 6

Sacrificed as Bielsa went looking for goals and failed to make a major impact in a busy midfield

Rodrigo came off the bench to collect a deserved point for Leeds in a pulsating 1-1 draw

Ezgjan Alioski – 5

Brought in to replace on-loan City winger Harrison and came close with one header but replaced at the break.

Patrick Bamford – 6

First game this season without a goal but no lack of work rate, just lacked a lucky break of the ball.

Subs

Ian Poveda (for Alioski, 45) – 8

Rodrigo (for Roberts, 55) – 9

Leif Davis (for Klich, 76) – 6

Subs not used: Llorente, Struijk, Davis, Caprile, Shackleton.

Man City (4-3-3)

Ederson – 5

Great saves from Dallas, Alioski and Rodrigo but what a nightmare for the equaliser.

Kyle Walker – 5

Ball watching as Alioski ran past him to head over early which summed up an evening when full-backs struggled.

Ruben Dias – 5

Debut for the club record signing and almost scored from an early set-piece but the lack of shape exposed him.

Aymeric Laporte – 5

Back from his Covid positive and looked solid early on before the weakness at full-backs saw him over run.

Ruben Dias made some vital blocks and was an aerial threat on his debut for the visitors

Benjamin Mendy – 3

Picked up a silly first half booking and Poveda was brought on to exploit him. Even had an inadvertent hand in the equaliser.

Phil Foden – 6

Quiet game by his standards and finishing was wayward when presented with a couple of half chances before the break.

Rodri – 7

Preferred to Fernandinho as the holding midfielder in a three and had a busy afternoon. Strong in the tackle and good with the ball.

Kevin De Bruyne – 8

Majestic when City were on top early but faded under Leeds pressure before inspiring his team to a strong finale.

Raheem Sterling was clinical for his opener but missed a handful of other good chances

Ferran Torres – 5

Quiet game for the newboy and the obvious one to make way a City looked for the winner.

Riyad Mahrez – 6

Played through the middle as a “false nine” and threatened with a couple of decent shots.

Raheem Sterling – 7

Clinical for his opener but missed a handful of other good chances. But was always selflessly looking to play in others.

Subs

Bernardo Silva (for Torres, 64) – 7

Natan Ake (for Mendy, 71) – 7

Fernandinho (for Mahrez, 77) – 7

Subs not used: Stones, Steffen, Delap, Palmer.

Referee: Mike Dean 7