Manchester City secured a vital 1-0 victory over Leeds United at Elland Road on Saturday, ensuring the Premier League title race remains razor-thin.
A solitary strike from Antoine Semenyo deep into first-half stoppage time proved the difference, moving Pep Guardiola’s side within two points of league leaders Arsenal.
The win was made more impressive by the absence of Erling Haaland, who missed the trip due to a minor training injury.
The match was a gritty affair, with Leeds creating several dangerous opportunities through Dominic Calvert-Lewin early on.
However, City’s backline held firm, and a moment of brilliance from Rayan Cherki allowed Rayan Ait-Nouri to tee up Semenyo for the winner.
Despite a spirited second-half push from the hosts, City’s experienced stars managed the clock effectively to bag three points in a professional, high-stakes performance.
City Player Ratings
Gianluigi Donnarumma – 7/10
The Italian goalkeeper was a pillar of reliability between the posts. His standout moment came in the 39th minute when he produced a crucial smothering save to deny Brenden Aaronson on a clean breakaway. It was an assured display that kept Leeds at bay during their most dangerous spells.
Matheus Nunes – 7.5/10
Nunes provided excellent balance on the right flank, balancing his defensive duties with marauding runs forward. He made a goal-saving block early in the second half to deny Calvert-Lewin and was a consistent outlet for City whenever they looked to stretch the Leeds defense.
Ruben Dias – 8/10
It was a vintage performance from the Portuguese center-back, who led by example throughout the 90 minutes. Dias made several vital interceptions and aerial clearances, organizing the defense under heavy pressure from the Elland Road crowd. His leadership was the foundation of the clean sheet.
Marc Guehi – 8/10
Guehi once again proved why he has become a staple in Guardiola’s XI. He remained calm under pressure and was physically dominant against the Leeds forwards. He nearly doubled City’s lead with a powerful header in the 72nd minute, only to be denied by a spectacular Karl Darlow save.
Rayan Ait-Nouri – 8/10
This was arguably one of Ait-Nouri’s finest outings in a City shirt. While he was solid defensively, his primary contribution was the perfectly weighted cross that found Semenyo for the winning goal. He remained a constant overlapping threat on the left wing all afternoon.
Rodri – 8.5/10
Earning the Man of the Match honors, Rodri was the heartbeat of the team. Despite a rare early giveaway, he dictated the tempo of the game and acted as the vital screen in front of the back four. His ability to recover possession and recycle play was instrumental in City’s victory.
Bernardo Silva – 7.5/10
Wearing the captain’s armband, Silva displayed his trademark work ethic and tactical intelligence. He buzzed across the midfield, linking play between the defense and the attackers, and provided the veteran composure necessary to see out a narrow lead in a hostile environment.
Nico O’Reilly – 6.5/10
The youngster had a quieter afternoon compared to his recent breakout performances. He was involved in the physical battle in midfield and had a decent header saved by Darlow, but his day was cut short in the 70th minute due to a concerning injury.
Antoine Semenyo – 6.5/10
Semenyo was the hero of the hour, positioning himself perfectly to tap home the winner just before the break. While he was somewhat isolated for long stretches of the game, his clinical finishing when the chance finally arrived proved to be the decisive factor.
Rayan Cherki – 8/10
Cherki was City’s most creative spark throughout the contest. His vision was on full display for the goal, as he played a sublime “pre-assist” pass that carved open the Leeds defense. He consistently looked to take players on and was the team’s primary source of attacking flair.
Omar Marmoush – 6.5/10
Filling in for the injured Haaland, the Egyptian striker worked tirelessly off the ball. Although he lacked his usual sharpness in front of goal—missing a few half-chances at the back post—his defensive contributions and pressing helped City maintain their structure.
Substitutes
Savinho – 6/10: Made his return from injury but found it difficult to get into the flow of a defensive game.
Tijjani Reijnders – 6/10: Provided fresh legs in the midfield for the final twenty minutes but remained mostly anonymous.
Nathan Ake – N/A: Brought on in the closing stages to solidify the defense.