Manchester City secured a tense 1-0 victory over Leeds United at Elland Road on Saturday, with January signing Antoine Semenyo netting the decisive goal. The win moves Pep Guardiola’s side to within two points of Premier League leaders Arsenal, all while star striker Erling Haaland watched from the sidelines due to injury.
Since joining from Bournemouth for £62.5 million, Semenyo has made an immediate impact. The 26-year-old has now scored six goals in 11 appearances, making him the club’s top scorer this year and helping ease the offensive responsibility on Haaland. His arrival has coincided with a strong run of form—City have won four straight league matches and lost just once in seven games, applying steady pressure on Arsenal at the top of the table.
Speaking after the match, Semenyo emphasized the team’s focus on controlling what they can. “We just want to win our games,” he said. “Whatever Arsenal do, we just have to wait and see.”
Semenyo’s winner came from a poacher’s finish, reacting quickly to Rayan Ait-Nouri’s cross and converting with confidence. Guardiola praised his team’s composure in a difficult away environment. “The reaction was amazing,” he said. “A complete game in a tough, tough place.”
Semenyo’s contributions have been vital in silencing concerns that City relied too heavily on Haaland. Earlier in the season, the Norwegian had scored 58% of the team’s goals and accounted for 57% of their expected goals. Now, with Semenyo stepping up alongside others, the attacking burden is more evenly shared.
Guardiola remained tight-lipped about the extent of Haaland’s injury, though he downplayed concerns. “I think it is not a big issue,” he said. “We will see.”
Interestingly, City’s record without Haaland remains strong. Since the start of the 2022-23 season, they have won 14 of 18 league games in his absence, averaging 2.4 points per game—slightly higher than the 2.1 points per game when he features.
After the final whistle, Guardiola walked onto the pitch and blew kisses toward his family in the stands—a gesture that may have carried extra meaning given the insults directed his way from some Leeds fans during the match.
With 10 league games remaining and a Carabao Cup final against Arsenal on the horizon, City are hitting form at the right time. Semenyo and company are proving they can deliver even without their star striker.
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