Manchester City celebrated their sixth consecutive competitive win in Leeds and moved to within two points of Arsenal for the time being. Ultimately, Semenyo’s goal was enough for the Skyblues, who still had to endure a nervous finish.
After several slip-ups by Arsenal, the Premier League title race had suddenly become exciting again. ManCity had the opportunity to take the lead in Leeds and move within two points of the Gunners. Coach Pep Guardiola had to do without top striker Haaland, who was injured and not in the squad. Cherki replaced the Norwegian—the only change from the 2-1 win over Newcastle, the eighth competitive game in a row without defeat. On the side of the in-form hosts, who had built up a buffer to the relegation zone in recent weeks, Daniel Farke made no changes and fielded the same starting eleven as in the 1-1 draw at Aston Villa.
City lucky on several occasions
The hosts almost shocked City early on: Calvert-Lewin slid in to meet a sharp Aaronson cross and narrowly missed the ball (4′). Leeds clearly had the upper hand in the aftermath, while the visitors were hardly able to get anything going up front – and they showed vulnerabilities in defense: The next good chance for Leeds also belonged to Calvert-Lewin, who once again shot just wide of the goal (17th minute).
A ManCity side that had been weak up to that point was lucky not to be behind, partly because Calvert-Lewin, this time with a header, narrowly missed the goal for the third time (25th minute). After about half an hour, the Skyblues increasingly gained control, but were rarely able to play at their usual pace against the hosts, who were fierce in their tackles: for example, in the 34th minute, when Marmoush failed to reach a cross from his captain Bernardo Silva.
Leeds could hardly break free, but they did have one dangerous counterattack: Stach passed to Aaronson, who was free in front of Donnarumma but missed the chance (39′). City almost punished Leeds for squandering their chances immediately afterwards: Darlow made his first save to prevent O’Reilly’s header from going in (40′). In stoppage time at the end of the first half, Guardiola’s team finally struck: Semenyo slid in to knock Ait Nouri’s sharp cross over the line (45+2).
Late Leeds power play unsuccessful
After the break, the visitors came out of the dressing room well, unlike in the first half, but the first shot again belonged to Calvert-Lewin. Matheus Nunes blocked it on the left side of the penalty area for a corner (49′). Leeds did not have any further chances after that. City managed the game confidently, but did not really create any danger themselves.
That only changed shortly before the final quarter of an hour, when Darlow made a superb save from Guehi’s header (73′). Leeds then went on the offensive again, but it wasn’t until shortly before the end that they really threatened to score: Stach’s corner was headed just wide of the left post by the newly substituted Bijol.
In the six minutes of added time, the home side threw everything forward, but their power play was not crowned with success. The score remained 1-0 to City. After the final whistle, Daniel Farke ran furiously towards referee Peter Bankes and was almost impossible to catch. The German coach was shown a red card and will face a suspension.
After their sixth competitive win in a row, City are now only two points behind leaders Arsenal. The Gunners can respond in the long-distance duel on Sunday (5:30 p.m.) in the London derby against Chelsea.
Both teams have their next league games coming up in a few days: On Tuesday (8:30 p.m.), Leeds will face Sunderland, and the next day, ManCity will host Nottingham at the same kickoff time.
