Leeds United Vs Man City: Semenyo’s stoppage-time strike keeps title race tight
Antoine Semenyo’s first-half stoppage-time finish secured a 1-0 victory for Manchester City at Elland Road, a result that left leeds united vs man city a tight contest in the Premier League title race and moved City within two points of leaders Arsenal.
City, without Erling Haaland because of an injury, held out under late pressure at Elland Road for their fourth-straight league win, with Semenyo’s goal coming after Rayan Aït-Nouri supplied a pin-point low cross following Rayan Cherki’s defence-splitting through-ball.
The goal was Semenyo’s sixth in 11 appearances in all competitions for City and continued a run in which the January signing has helped ease the goalscoring burden on Haaland; since arriving from Bournemouth versions of the transfer fee differ: one report lists £65million, another £62. 5m, unclear in the provided context which is correct.
Pep Guardiola’s side controlled long spells after Leeds squandered several early first-half chances, but they also came under heavy pressure in the closing stages and defended stubbornly to keep a clean sheet at Elland Road.
Leeds United Vs Man City at Elland Road
At Elland Road the lone goal arrived in first-half stoppage time when Aït-Nouri raced clear on to Cherki’s through-ball and delivered the cross that Semenyo converted, a finish described in match coverage as a poacher’s reaction that silenced a raucous home crowd.
Aït-Nouri: 'It will go until the end'
Rayan Aït-Nouri said the title race would go down to the wire, adding "It will go until the end" and suggesting the team must "keep pushing" and treat the remaining fixtures like "10 more games, if I'm not wrong. " He also said City must take games one at a time and that they would be ready for the home match on Wednesday against Nottingham Forest.
Semenyo stepping up while Haaland is absent
Semenyo’s six goals in 11 appearances made him City’s top scorer this year in one account, and his recent form has coincided with four league wins in a row and one loss in seven games for Guardiola’s side. Semenyo said: "It means everything. We just want to win all our games on our side and whatever Arsenal do, we'll have to wait and see. "
Injuries, boos and squad questions ahead of a busy week
Haaland was left out of the City squad with what was described as a "little injury, " and Guardiola was also waiting to learn the full extent of the ankle injury that forced Nico O'Reilly off midway through the second half; O'Reilly could be doubtful for Wednesday’s visit of Nottingham Forest. Guardiola strode onto the pitch after the match and blew kisses to his family in the stands, while also registering displeasure at insults thrown by Leeds fans during the game.
With City now within two points of Arsenal and Arsenal able to regain a five-point lead if they beat Chelsea on Sunday, the title race approaches a decisive stretch: City would have a game in hand and the two clubs are scheduled to meet at the Etihad Stadium on April 18. City’s confirmed immediate fixture is the home game against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, and Guardiola has said he is monitoring injuries ahead of that match.
