Epl Table: Semenyo takes goalscoring burden off Haaland as City move within two points
Antoine Semenyo's goal in a tense 1-0 win at Elland Road has shifted the conversation around Manchester City and the epl table, after City moved to within two points of Premier League leaders Arsenal. The January signing scored the only goal as City, without the injured Erling Haaland, earned a hard-fought victory against Leeds United on Saturday.
Match facts and scoreline
Semenyo, who joined from Bournemouth for £62. 5m, scored the solitary goal that silenced a raucous, rowdy crowd at Elland Road. The win took Manchester City to within two points of the Premier League leaders Arsenal. The Gunners host Chelsea on Sunday, and Arsenal and City are due to meet in April.
Semenyo's impact on Haaland
Manchester City have often been accused of being too reliant on Erling Haaland this season, and there are signs that could be changing. 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. Semenyo is 26 years old.
Epl Table and title race
The result, and Semenyo's form, feed directly into talk of the epl table and the title race. Semenyo is taking the goalscoring burden off Haaland's shoulders - only his team-mate with 29 and Brentford's Igor Thiago have been involved in more Premier League goals than Semenyo's 18.
How the goal unfolded
The goal was a real poacher's finish. Semenyo reacted quickest to latch on to Rayan Ait-Nouri's cross and converted with aplomb. The finish was described as one that silenced the noisy Leeds support, and it proved decisive in a match in which Guardiola's side admitted they had to grind out the result.
Manager reaction and crowd tension
Pep Guardiola strode on to the pitch after the match and blew kisses in the direction of his family in the stands. Guardiola said those kisses also contained a large dose of smugness towards the Leeds fans, who had been throwing insults towards him during the game. "We made a lot of passes that we needed to do to survive without much intention to attack, " Guardiola said. "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. "
Form, statistics and comparisons
Semenyo's arrival has coincided with an impressive run of form for Guardiola's side: four league wins in a row - and one loss in seven games - have helped pile the pressure on long-time leaders Arsenal. Since signing for City, Semenyo has scored four league goals and provided one assist, a goal contributions record which is bettered only by Chelsea pair Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro, who have six apiece.
