---
title: "Leeds United: Noel Whelan lauds Diego Llorente’s display in Etihad win"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-noel-whelan-lauds-diego-llorentes-display-in-etihad-win/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Adam Clancy"
section: "Leeds United"
published: "2021-04-11T13:30:41Z"
modified: "2021-04-11T13:30:41Z"
---

# Leeds United: Noel Whelan lauds Diego Llorente’s display in Etihad win

**Noel Whelan has lauded the performance of Diego Llorente as Leeds United beat Manchester City 2-1 away in the Premier League on Saturday.**

Two goals from Stuart Dallas were enough to give Marcelo Bielsa’s team [all three points](https://www.skysports.com/football/manchester-city-vs-leeds-united/429142) at the Etihad Stadium as they earned them the hard way following a straight red card for their captain Liam Cooper and an equalising goal from Ferran Torres for Pep Guardiola’s men.

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Nonetheless, Llorente needed to put in a very commanding performance at the back with his central defensive partner given his marching orders just before the half-time whistle, and the Spain international did just that, leaving former Elland Road striker Whelan in awe of him when speaking to [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/whelan-thrilled-with-llorente-as-multiple-best-on-pitch-stats-revealed-v-man-city/):

*“He keeps getting better and better.*

*“For me, he’s my number-one choice at centre-half right now. He is showing all these skills, running out with the ball, defensively he’s getting a lot stronger, a lot tougher.*

*“He’s also a lot more aggressive and winning a lot of his duels.*

*“He’s the first on the team sheet for me. It’s all about whether it’s going to be Struijk or Liam Cooper next to him.”*

### Llorente deserves all praise for Leeds

Llorente deserves all the praise for his display as he was vital to Leeds securing victory over the Premier League leaders.

The 27-year-old topped the performance charts in terms of clearances made (six), shots blocked (five) and interceptions made (two, joint with Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha) at the Etihad, as per [Sofascore](https://www.sofascore.com/leeds-united-manchester-city/rsJ), highlighting just how important he was to Bielsa’s side.

The centre-back is set to become even more crucial now in the next run of matches for Leeds given Cooper’s sending off and [subsequent suspension](https://www.premierinjuries.com/injury-table.php).

***In other news,*** [***find out which Leeds ace Paddy Kenny has tipped to play Champions League football!***](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/leeds-paddy-kenny-hails-illan-meslier/)