Antoine Semenyo struck just before half-time to hand Manchester City a hard-fought 1–0 victory over an energetic Leeds United, cutting Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League to two points. City travelled to West Yorkshire without Leeds-born striker Erling Haaland, who was ruled out after sustaining an injury in training. For much of the first half, Pep Guardiola’s side looked set to miss their leading scorer as Leeds pressed with intensity and created early chances. The breakthrough came moments before the interval when Ghana international Semenyo stretched to convert a fizzed low cross from Rayan Ait-Nouri into the penalty area, netting his sixth goal for City since his January move from Bournemouth. Leeds had started brightly and nearly took the lead inside four minutes. Dominic Calvert-Lewin squandered a golden opportunity, poking wide from eight yards after connecting with a cross from Brenden Aaronson. The former Everton striker later fired another effort wide from a tight angle and was unable to add to his 10 league goals this season, as City’s defence held firm. Despite sustained pressure from the hosts, City managed the game effectively in the closing stages to secure all three points in a tense encounter. The result keeps City firmly in the title race, narrowing the gap behind leaders Arsenal, while Leeds remain six points clear of the relegation zone after a spirited but ultimately fruitless display.
Semenyo fires Manchester City past leeds to keep title pressure on Arsenal
