Leeds United 0 Manchester City 1: match reportSemenyo’s late first half goal enough to get City over the line against Leeds
Manchester City defeated Leeds United 1-0 away at Elland Road to take themselves back within two points of league leaders Arsenal. The win is now City’s sixth in a row and fourth consecutive league win. Donnarumma started in goal, Nunes, Dias, Guehi, and Ait Nouri were in defence. O’Reilly, Bernardo, and Rodri were in midfield with Cherki, Semenyo, and Marmoush in attack. Haaland was absent from the matchday squad, having suffered a knock in training earlier in the week.
Leeds were the ones who made the better start to the game and for the first half an hour, were bombarding City’s attack and had multiple chances to make the breakthrough. Calvert Lewin missed a chance from close range in the opening few minutes and on many other occasions, Leeds were giving the Blues trouble at the back, and there was hardly any movement up the other end of the pitch.
After half an hour, City woke up and began to settle into the game more. They were able to suppress Leeds attacks earlier and towards the end of the first half, they were the ones with the chances now. A ball in from Nunes to O’Reilly came close to being the opener but the resulting header was well saved by the goalkeeper. In the final moments of the first half in stoppage time, Cherki passed the ball up to Ait Nouri who found Semenyo unmarked and with a simple enough tap in, the Blues got themselves into the lead on the stroke of half time.
City kept control for most of the second half, but their second half goal drought continued to haunt them, with Semenyo missing an opportunity from close range and Guehi getting a header from a corner saved by the goalkeeper, who was keeping Leeds in the game at this point.
As the Blues were unable to double their advantage, they had to face a surge from the Leeds attack late on, desperate to get something out of the game. The City defence remained resilient however, blocking out any chances whether it be long throw ins or crosses. There was a penalty shout for a handball by Nunes but on review the ball hit his shoulder and was subsequently waived. City were able to see the game out and it finished 1-0. A huge result for them
City are now within two points of Arsenal at the top of the table. This is just the fourth defeat at home for Leeds and the first in an evening kick off all season. With a huge few months coming up in all four competitions, the Blues will be hoping they can continue their current run of form as best possible. They face Nottingham Forest at home next on Wednesday evening
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