Manchester City secured a vital 1-0 win at Leeds United, moving within two points of Premier League leaders Arsenal despite Erling Haaland’s absence
ANTOINE Semenyo’s first-half strike earned Manchester City a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Leeds United on Saturday. The crucial win closed the gap on league leaders Arsenal to just two points.
The Ghanaian forward struck in stoppage time of the first half at Elland Road. It was his sixth goal since joining from Bournemouth in January.
Pep Guardiola’s side secured their fourth consecutive league win without the injured Erling Haaland. The prolific striker was ruled out after picking up a knock in training.
“A little injury. It’s not a big issue but not ready for today,” City boss Guardiola confirmed just before kick-off. The club hopes Haaland will recover for Wednesday’s match against Nottingham Forest.
Remarkably, City boast a better win ratio in the top flight without the Norwegian star than when he plays. The victory keeps the destiny of the title in their own hands.
Chasing a seventh title under Guardiola, City will be crowned champions if they win their final 10 games. This is regardless of Arsenal’s results across the same number of matches.
City will have a game in hand on Arsenal after this weekend. The two title rivals meet at the Etihad Stadium in April.
Leeds wasted a golden chance to take an early lead. Dominic Calvert-Lewin scuffed Brenden Aaronson’s cross wide with only goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to beat.
The match was briefly paused at dusk to allow Muslim players from both sides to break their Ramadan fast. This included City’s Omar Marmoush, Rayan Cherki and Rayan Ait-Nouri.
Despite a message on the big screen explaining the break, some fans jeered as the players went to the touchline. Calvert-Lewin went close again after play resumed, turning Marc Guehi before shooting narrowly wide.
Shaken by Leeds’ relentless pressing, City struggled for rhythm in the first half. James Justin forced a good save from Donnarumma, while Aaronson poked just wide from Jayden Bogle’s cross.
Guardiola grew increasingly frustrated on the touchline. His team failed to manage a single shot on target in the opening 39 minutes.
Donnarumma came to City’s rescue again, smothering Aaronson’s effort after the Leeds midfielder broke clear. City finally showed signs of life when Marmoush’s low drive was held by Karl Darlow.
The Leeds goalkeeper then parried away Nico O’Reilly’s close-range header moments later. The home side failed to heed the warning as City snatched the lead just before the break.
Cherki’s pinpoint pass found Ait-Nouri’s run into the Leeds area. The defender’s low cross was perfectly placed for Semenyo to slide in and finish from close range.
City looked more confident after the goal and should have extended their lead after the interval. Marmoush stretched but failed to convert Ruben Dias’ miscued shot from just five yards out.
Guehi’s header from a Cherki corner was then clawed away by Darlow. City survived a tense finale, with Jaka Bijol heading a corner inches wide, before finally celebrating a vital three points.
The Sun Malaysia
