Manchester City did not have it all their own way but came out on top at Elland Road, against Leeds United.
**Pep Guardiola's**side made a slow start to the game and it was the home side who nearly went in front after Dominic Calvert-Lewin was in on goal but his effort went wide.
City had to see out the storm and grow into the game. The only goal of the match came just before half time when January signing, Antoine Semenyo came sliding in and connected with a low cross to give his side the lead.
City ended up being good value for their lead and held on for what could be a vital 3 points as they keep the pressure on Arsenal.
Here are four takeaways from the game
Erling Haaland missed the game due to injury but Antoine Semenyo scored the goal that was needed for the win.
Semenyo has often been played out wide with the freedom to cut inside and make an impact.
He operated from a slightly more central position at Leeds and was in the centre to score the goal from close range.
If there were any fears that he would struggle to make the step up from Bournemouth and find it a challenge to adapt to **Pep Guardiola's**way of playing then there was no need to worry.
He currently has four Premier League goals in seven games since joining City.
The squad that Pep Guardiola has to work with is strong and there are plenty of options.
Rayan Cherki may not have always started as many games as he would have liked to have done since joining City in the summer. However, he is a player who is starting to make a name for himself as a key attacking option for the club.
Whilst he did not score at Leeds, Cherki caused their defenders problems and always looked to get forward.
He is a player who looks like he is enjoying his football at the moment and can only get better.
A different kind of win?
Some may have expected City to win the game more convincingly but Leeds deserve credit for their performance and it is the three points that matter.
City defended well and this ensured that they came away from West Yorkshire with a clean sheet.
It could be argued that earlier in the season this may have been a game that ended in a draw or a loss. It was not an easy evening for City but their quality came through.
They are in the middle of the title race and cannot afford to drop points.
It is about getting results and finding ways to win. Previously, teams that grind out 1-0 wins have gone on to win titles as that can be a positive sign. City were not necessarily at their best with their brand of confident, free-flowing, attacking football. However, that does not matter.
They strengthened their back line in January with the signing of Marc Guehi and he played a part in this win.
City will know that they have been involved in a close match up but may also feel as though they can take a good deal of confidence from this.
What does it mean for the title race?
Following **Arsenal's**win at the weekend, the gap is still five points but City know that they still play Arsenal and that they also have a game in hand over the Londoners.
Therefore, it is still very much a case of it being possible.
There will be twists and turns between now and the end of the season but Guardiola's side have the added bonus of the experience and having done it before from this position.
They have also now won their last four games and that could be a key form of momentum.
City host Nottingham Forest next and, like Leeds, they are a side who are fighting for points but City will likely go into that fixture feeling a sense of belief that they could make it five wins in a row and keep applying the pressure.