Haaland left out of Man City squad for Leeds after training knock; Guardiola expects short absence

Erling haaland was omitted from Manchester City's squad for the trip to Elland Road after suffering a training knock, manager Pep Guardiola said, but the club still beat Leeds United 1-0 to cut the gap to the league leaders.

Guardiola said Haaland had "some problems" and "a little injury" two days earlier in training and was "not ready for today. " The knock was described as a minor knock suffered in training on Thursday, and Guardiola added he thought it was "not a big issue".

Haaland sidelined after a training knock

Haaland, who has 22 goals in 27 appearances for City this season, missed the match at Elland Road — the city of his birth — after the training setback. Guardiola said, "A little injury. It's not a big issue but not ready for today. We are without one top striker and we are playing with another top striker. " When asked when Haaland would be back, Guardiola said, "I don't know. I wish he comes back. "

Semenyo's first-half strike settles a tense trip to west Yorkshire

Manchester City travelled to west Yorkshire aiming to cut the gap to league leaders Arsenal to two points and achieved that with Antoine Semenyo's first-half close-range finish, scored just before the break, which proved to be the matchwinner in a 1-0 victory. The goal followed approach play by Rayan Cherki and Rayan Ait‑Nouri.

The win was City's fourth successive Premier League victory. Guardiola praised the team's response at a difficult venue, saying, "The reaction was amazing, unbelievable with the goal we scored. Complete game, in a tough, tough place and 10 games left in the Premier league. Time to be decisive. "

Altered forward line and bench options stepped up

With Haaland absent, City started Omar Marmoush, Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo up front. Phil Foden, Savino and Jeremy Doku were named among the attacking options on the bench. Guardiola highlighted Cherki's display: "Cherki, for me, is the best game. Solidity and aggressive with the ball. All of them were really good, commitment and they stick with the game-plan. "

Guardiola also noted the players involved in the goal — Cherki and Ait‑Nouri — and said the trio who combined had joined City as part of his overhaul in the last 18 months. "Now we are building these players and they have a long, long time here. It is important for the future for the club, " he added, before reflecting on the squad's endurance: "Once again the guys make an extraordinary effort because otherwise it is not possible. After nine months, everyone knows what they want to do. "

Guardiola plays down worry but won’t commit on return date

Guardiola insisted the absence should not be a lengthy one, saying, "We don't have spies in the training centre to deliver the info to our media. I think it is not a big issue. We will see. " He also acknowledged the challenge of losing a prolific scorer long-term, but said he did not believe the Norway striker would be out for long.

City have a better winning ratio in the league without Haaland than with him, the manager noted, but he refused to be drawn on the club's bid for the seventh title of his reign. He added: "Huge victory to still be there. One game at a time. Recovery, there are many games, people are tired. Every game is really tough. The Premier League is better than ever. " He reiterated uncertainty over a return date: "I don't know. I wish he comes back. "

Arsenal, the leaders, host Chelsea on Sunday, and Guardiola pointed to the compressed run-in — 10 games left in the Premier League — as the team heads straight into more fixtures and recovery work.