Even without Erling Haaland, Manchester City ground out a hard-fought 1–0 victory away at Leeds United, trimming the gap to leaders Arsenal to just two points in the Premier League title race.

Under the lights at Elland Road, Pep Guardiola was forced to reshuffle his attacking plans after Haaland missed out with a minor injury sustained in training on Thursday. Yet if there were concerns about City’s cutting edge, they were quickly put to rest.

The decisive moment arrived deep into first-half stoppage time. Antoine Semenyo capitalised on a lapse in concentration, finishing clinically to give the visitors a slender but crucial advantage heading into the break.

Leeds United, fighting to climb away from the lower reaches of the table, refused to fold. They pressed aggressively in the second half, roared on by a relentless home crowd, but City’s defensive structure held firm under mounting pressure.

The result tightens the screws on Arsenal, who face a demanding London derby against Chelsea next.

2025-26, England - Premier League

Leeds United - Manchester City 0:1 (0:1)
Goals: Semenyo, 45 (0:1)

Leeds United: Darlow; Bogle (James D., 76); Gudmundsson G.; Struijk; Rodon; Justin; Stach; Gruev (Gnonto, 75); Ampadu; Calvert-Lewin; Aaronson (Nmecha L., 65)
Substitution: Nmecha L. (from 65); Gnonto (from 75); James D. (from 76)
Bench: Perri; Bijol; Bornauw; Longstaff S.; Tanaka A.; Piroe

Manchester City: Donnarumma G.; Dias R.; Guehi; Aït-Nouri; Rodri; Bernardo Silva; Matheus Nunes; Cherki; O'Reilly (Reijnders, 70); Marmoush (Sávio Moreira, 68); Semenyo
Substitution: Sávio Moreira (from 68); Reijnders (from 70)
Bench: Trafford; Stones; Ake; Khusanov; Nico González; Foden; Doku J.
Yellow Cards: Donnarumma G. 85