Sibierski rescues Man City

Man City 1-1 Leeds

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Antoine Sibierski's late goal deservedly rescued a point for Manchester City against Leeds.

Mark Viduka had put Leeds ahead after 24 minutes when he caught defender David Sommeil in possession to score.

City responded by putting the visitors' goal under severe pressure and a powerful Joey Barton shot came of the post with keeper Paul Robinson beaten.

But substitute Sibierski timed a run perfectly to head in a Sun Jihai cross after 82 minutes.

City started the game without a win in their last eight outings and almost went behind early on.

Leeds had a glorious chance to go in front after six minutes but unmarked striker Viduka failed to touch the ball in at the far post from a James Milner free-kick.

KEY MOMENTS 24 mins: Viduka puts Leeds ahead 82: Sibierski equalises for Man City

Viduka has been linked with a move to Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson was in the crowd at the City of Manchester stadium.

And the Australian made up for his earlier miss when he seized on an error by City's central defender Sommeil.

Sommeil failed to control the ball when there seemed little danger and Viduka stole possession before rounding keeper David Seaman to score.

The home side pressured the visitors' goal just before half-time and created two chances in quick succession.

But Leeds central defender Michael Duberry cleared a Claudio Reyna shot off the line while Anelka could not get enough power on a shot which keeper Paul Robinson gathered comfortably.

Viduka scored on his 150th appearance for Leeds

City continued to pressure the Leeds goal after the break but fortune was favouring the away team which was emphasised just before the hour mark.

Midfielder Barton side-stepped David Batty to make room for a shot only to see his powerful strike rattle the post and rebound to safety.

Reyna again went close to heighten City's growing despair before another cross was just behind Anelka and forced him to head high.

City boss Kevin Keegan made a triple substitution and the move paid off as newcomer Sibierski headed in a Sun Jihai cross.

At the other end, a frantic finish saw a Duberry header crucially cleared from the City goalmouth before Sommeil got away with a foul on Milner on the edge of the home area.

But City almost stole all three points but keeper Robinson's scrambling save denied Reyna.

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Man City: Seaman, Jihai, Sommeil, Dunne, Distin, Wright-Phillips, Reyna, Barton (Sibierski 71), McManaman (Macken 70), Fowler (Wanchope 70), Anelka.
Subs Not Used: Stuhr-Ellegaard, Tarnat.

Leeds: Robinson, Kelly, Radebe (McPhail 74), Duberry, Harte, Pennant (Bridges 81), Smith, Batty (Kilgallon 90), Matteo, Milner, Viduka.
Subs Not Used: Carson, Morris.

Booked: Duberry, Batty, Bridges.

Attendance: 47,126

Referee: G Barber (Hertfordshire).