Antoine Semenyo strike cuts Arsenal’s lead as Man City grind past Leeds United

Manchester City tightened the Premier League title race after Antoine Semenyo’s decisive first-half strike secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Leeds United at Elland Road, reducing Arsenal’s advantage at the summit to just two points.

In a contest defined more by resilience than rhythm, Pep Guardiola’s side delivered the result required to sustain pressure on the leaders despite enduring long spells under siege.

City entered the encounter knowing anything less than victory would hand momentum back to Arsenal, yet it was Leeds who dictated the early tempo.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin squandered two glorious opportunities inside the opening stages, first miscuing Brenden Aaronson’s inviting delivery before dragging another effort wide after slipping free inside the penalty area.

Aaronson himself later came close, only for Marc Guéhi to produce a vital block as City struggled to impose control.

The visitors eventually found their breakthrough moments before the interval, striking against the run of play.

Rayan Aït-Nouri’s delivery located Semenyo, who created just enough space to guide a composed finish beyond Karl Darlow in stoppage time, shifting momentum firmly in City’s favour.

Leeds resumed with renewed intensity after the restart, again threatening through Calvert-Lewin, but Matheus Nunes’ last-ditch intervention preserved City’s lead. Opportunities to extend the advantage followed, with Omar Marmoush and Guéhi both denied as Darlow kept the hosts within reach.

Daniel Farke’s attacking changes ensured a tense finale, as Leeds applied sustained late pressure, but City’s defensive organisation held firm.

The clean sheet marked their 12th of the league campaign, underlining a defensive consistency that continues to fuel their title pursuit.