Epl Table: epl table implications after Leeds 0-1 Man City as Semenyo relieves Haaland
Antoine Semenyo’s goal earned a tense 1-0 victory at Elland Road as Manchester City beat Leeds United on Saturday, and the result has fresh implications for the epl table. City were without the injured Erling Haaland and the win moved them to within two points of Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Semenyo decides at Elland Road
The January signing Antoine Semenyo scored the only goal in a tense 1-0 win against Leeds United at Elland Road. Semenyo’s winner silenced a raucous and rowdy crowd with a poacher’s finish, reacting quickest to latch on to Rayan Ait-Nouri’s cross and converting with aplomb.
Haaland injured and absent
Manchester City have often been accused of being too reliant on Erling Haaland this season, and there are signs that could be changing. City were without the injured Haaland for the match, and Semenyo’s contribution helped ease the goalscoring burden on him.
Guardiola reaction and quotes
Pep Guardiola strode onto the pitch after the match and blew kisses in the direction of his family in the stands. That gesture, the manager said, would also have contained a large dose of smugness towards the Leeds fans, who had been throwing insults towards him during the game, the Spaniard.
Guardiola described the team’s approach: “We made a lot of passes that we needed to do to survive without much intention to attack. The reaction was amazing - unbelievable with the goal we scored. A complete game in a tough, tough place, and 10 games left in the Premier League. Time to be decisive. Now we are building these players and they have a long, long time here. It is important for the future for the club. ”
Epl Table implications for title race
The win moved City to within two points of Premier League leaders Arsenal. The Gunners host Chelsea on Sunday, and Arsenal and City are due to meet in April. Semenyo himself said: “It means everything. We just want to win with our games on our side and, whatever Arsenal do, we just have to wait and see. We just need to control what we can control, win our games, and we will see what happens. ”
The result, coming as part of a run in which Pep Guardiola’s side have recorded four league wins in a row and one loss in seven games, helps pile the pressure on long-time leaders Arsenal.
Statistics and goal contributions
Since signing from Bournemouth for £62. 5m, Semenyo has scored six goals in 11 appearances, making him the club’s top scorer this year and easing the goalscoring burden on Haaland. Since signing for City, Semenyo has scored four league goals and provided one assist; that goal contributions record is bettered only by Chelsea pair Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro, who have six apiece.
