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Semenyo strike gives City three vital points at Elland Road
Antoine Semenyo's goal in first-half added time was enough to give City a crucial 1-0 win over Leeds United.
It was a hard-fought victory against a determined and energetic Leeds side who spurned a number of guilt-edged chances in the first period.
Semenyo struck two minutes into first-half added time after a lovely move involving Rayan Ait-Nouri and Rayan Cherki.
The win keeps City hard on the heels of leaders Arsenal who play Chelsea on Sunday.
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The Game in 250 words
City had to weather an early storm at Elland Road.
Leeds United came flying out of the blocks and should have been ahead on four minutes.
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Brenden Aaronson’s cross from the right found the unmarked Dominic Calvert-Lewin but he tried to be too precise and put the ball inches wide from six yards out.
On 17 minutes, Calvert-Lewin was guilty of another miss from close range, poking and angled chance just wide and four minutes after that Aaronson’s effort from a Jayden Bogle’s cross went inches wide.
The Blues were on the ropes.
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City gradually started to take control and press the hosts back, but on 40 Aaronson broke clear but was denied by Donnarumma.
A minute later, Nico O’Reilly should have given City what would have been an undeserved lead as he powered a header goalwards from six yards but it was straight at Karl Darlow who did well to keep the ball out.
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A goalless first 45 looked a decent outcome for the Blues, but two minutes into added time, a wonderful ,move saw City beak the deadlock.
Rayan Cherki played a sumptuous threaded to Rayan Ait-Nouri whose low cross was slid home by Antoine Semenyo.
After the break, it was all about controlling the narrative, with City dominating possession.
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Semenyo and Marc Guéhi went close with half-chances as the Blues pinned the home side back.
Leeds rallied in the final 10 minutes or so, but the City rear-guard stood firm to secure a vital win.
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Goal! Semenyo celebrates the opener...
Teams
Leeds United: Darlow, Bogle (James 76), Justin (Piroe 87), Rodon (Bijol, 87), Struijk, Gudmundsson; Stach, Ampadu, Gruev (Gnonto 76), Aaronson (Nmecha 65); Calvert-Lewin
Subs: Perri, Bornauw, Longstaff, Tanaka
City: Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias, Guéhi, Ait-Nouri, Rodrigo, Bernardo (C), O’Reilly (Reijnders 70), Semenyo, Cherki (Ake 87)i, Marmoush (Savinho 68)
Subs: Trafford, Stones, Doku, Nico, Khusanov, Foden
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Nunes on the ball
Man of the Match
An assist and a clean sheet - not to mention a superb all-round performance sees Rayan Ait-Nouri take star man honours.
It could have been any of our back four, in truth, or the excellent Rayan Cherki, but our flying Algerian left-back takes the honours this time.
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Guardiola reaction
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Player reaction
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What it means
City move to within two points of leaders Arsenal who are in action on Sunday at home to Chelsea.
The Blues are on 59 points having played the same amount of games as the Gunners - 28.
We are also now eight points clear of third placed Aston Villa.
View full table
What’s next?
City face Nottingham Forest at the Etihad this Wednesday (4 March) in the Premier League.
The game kicks off at 19:30 (UK).
Then we travel to Tyneside for the third time this season to face Newcastle United in the FA Cup 5th round.
Kick-off at St James’ Park is 20:00 (UK) on Saturday 7 March.
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