Erling Haaland left out as Man City beat Leeds with Semenyo strike
Erling Haaland was omitted from Manchester City's squad for the trip to Leeds after picking up a "little injury" in training, Pep Guardiola said, and missed the victory at Elland Road. The absence left man city without their talisman but did not stop the side cutting the gap to the Premier League leaders.
Man City headed to Elland Road without Haaland
Guardiola confirmed Haaland's withdrawal on the eve of the match, saying, "Two days ago in training he had some problems and a little injury. " The manager added: "A little injury. It's not a big issue but not ready for today. " Haaland has 22 goals in 27 appearances for City this season, and he missed the trip to Elland Road, in the city of his birth.
Semenyo strike decides trip to Leeds
City travelled to west Yorkshire aiming to cut the gap to league leaders Arsenal to two points and did just that, winning at Elland Road when Antoine Semenyo's strike just before the break proved to be the matchwinner. Semenyo's goal stood up as the only goal of the match and gave the visitors three points.
Forward line reshuffled; bench named
In Haaland's absence Omar Marmoush, Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo formed the starting forward line, with Rayan Cherki coming into the starting XI. From the bench Guardiola had Phil Foden, Savino and Jeremy Doku listed as the attacking options, covering for the missing striker.
Guardiola on selection and other remarks
Guardiola framed the selection as a simple adjustment: "We are without one top striker and we are playing with another top striker. " He also described it as "bit weird" that Man City are playing Real Madrid again, a remark he made alongside his comments on team selection. Coverage of the club has also noted Premier League's 115 charges against City.
What happens next
Guardiola said the injury was "not a big issue, " but Haaland was "not ready for today. " It is unclear in the provided context when Manchester City will next be in action; the manager’s comments and Semenyo’s matchwinner leave the squad to regroup ahead of the club’s next confirmed fixture, unclear in the provided context.
