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EPL: Semenyo sinks Leeds as Man City close gap on Arsenal
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Antoine Semenyo fired Manchester City to a gritty 1-0 win over Leeds on Saturday as the Premier League title chasers closed the gap on leaders Arsenal without Erling Haaland.
Semenyo netted late in the first half at Elland Road with his sixth goal since signing from Bournemouth in January.
The Ghana forward’s strike lifted second-placed City to within two points of Arsenal, who host London rivals Chelsea on Sunday.
City’s fourth successive league win was achieved in the absence of Haaland after the prolific striker was ruled out with an injury suffered in training on Thursday.
“A little injury. It’s not a big issue but not ready for today,” City boss Pep Guardiola said just before kick-off.
City hope Haaland will recover in time for Wednesday’s clash with Nottingham Forest.
Remarkably, City have a better win ratio in the top-flight without the Norway star than when he plays.
Although they were not at their best, City’s hard-fought success in a hostile environment kept the destiny of the title in their own hands.
Chasing the seventh title of Guardiola’s reign, City will be guaranteed the crown if they win their last 10 games regardless of Arsenal’s results across the same number of matches.
City will have a game in hand on Arsenal after this weekend and host the Gunners in April.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin wasted a golden opportunity to put Leeds ahead in the opening moments when he scuffed Brenden Aaronson’s cross wide with just Gianluigi Donnarumma to beat.
The game was briefly paused to allow the Muslim players on both teams, including City’s Omar Marmoush, Rayan Cherki and Rayan Ait-Nouri, to break their Ramadan fast at dusk.
Despite a message on the big screen revealing what the break was for, fans jeered when the players came to the side of the pitch.
– City survive –
Calvert-Lewin went close again after the resumption, turning City defender Marc Guehi before shooting narrowly wide of the far post.
Shaken by Leeds’ relentless pressing, City struggled to find any rhythm in the first half.
James Justin’s blast forced a good save from Donnarumma, while Aaronson poked just wide from Jayden Bogle’s cross.
Guardiola grew increasingly frustrated on the touchline as City failed to manage a single shot on target in the first 39 minutes.
Donnarumma came to City’s rescue again, smothering Aaronson’s effort after the Leeds midfielder scampered clear.
City finally showed signs of life when Marmoush’s low drive was held by Karl Darlow, who parried away Nico O’Reilly’s close-range header moments later.
It was a warning Leeds failed to heed as City snatched the lead with an intricately crafted goal in first half stoppage-time.
Cherki’s pin-point pass picked out Ait-Nouri’s run into the Leeds area and the defender’s low cross was perfectly placed for Semenyo to slide in with a close-range finish.
City looked more confident after Semenyo’s opener and should have gone further ahead after the interval.
Marmoush was just five yards out when he stretched in a failed attempt to convert Ruben Dias’ miscued shot.
Guehi’s header from Cherki’s corner was clawed away by Darlow.
City had to survive a tense finale, with Jaka Bijol heading a corner inches wide, before they could finally celebrate.
Arsenal are exploring a deal to sign winger Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge.
According to The Athletic, a move for Tzolis would not impact the Gunners’ interest in Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers or an alternative target.
The club’s sporting director, Andrea Bertea, continues to work in the market to strengthen their attack.
Sources believe a deal for Tzolis could be possible for around €40million.
The 24-year-old scored 43 goals for Club Brugge across two seasons, having found the net 23 times for Fortuna Dusseldorf in 2. Bundesliga in 2023-24.
Arsenal are looking to bring in a new left winger, and have inquired about Juventus’ 21-year-old Turkey international Kenan Yildiz.
Ghana have suffered a major setback ahead of their opening match at the 2026 World Cup after midfielder Thomas Partey was reportedly denied entry into Canada.
Partey will be unavailable to play in Ghana opening match against Panama in Canada on June 17, access denied.
The Black Stars are scheduled to face Panama on Wednesday in their first Group game at the BMO Field in Toronto.
However, Partey will not be available for the encounter after being unable to travel to Canada, according to The Athletic.
The development comes as a major blow to Ghana’s preparations, with the former Arsenal midfielder expected to play a key role in the team’s campaign.
Partey’s absence means Ghana will have to make changes to its midfield plans for the match against Panama.
The reason for the entry denial was not officially stated by Ghanaian football authorities, but the Canadian government website states that “if you have committed or been convicted of a crime, you may not be allowed into Canada.”
Partey was recently charged with sexual assault, but he is awaiting trial and has not been convicted.
The former Arsenal star has denied the charges.
His unavailability leaves Ghana without one of their most experienced players as they begin their World Cup campaign in Toronto.
Ghana will be hoping to begin their campaign on a strong note despite Partey’s absence.
The Black Stars are among the African teams expected to make an impact at the tournament, but the latest development has added pressure on the coaching crew ahead of the opener.
The team will now have to rely on other midfield options to fill the gap left by Partey as they seek victory against Panama.
Co-hosts Mexico kicked off the 2026 World Cup against South Africa in Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca on Thursday.
Mexico’s forward #16 Julian Quinones celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the 2026 World Cup Group A football match between Mexico and South Africa at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on June 11, 2026.
Co-hosts Mexico kicked off the 2026 World Cup against South Africa in Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca on Thursday.
The 29-year-old struck in the ninth minute, his powerful shot going between the legs of the South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams to send the 80,000 spectators wild.
Mexico’s forward Julian Quinones celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the 2026 World Cup Group A football match between Mexico and South Africa at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on June 11, 2026.
It was the earliest first goal at a World Cup since 2006, when Philipp Lahm netted for Germany against Costa Rica after six minutes.
The South Africa players have been exchanging some short passes, trying to open up the opposition’s defence and hit them swiftly on the break, but the co-hosts have been dominant so far.
South Africa’s forward Iqraam Rayners and Mexico’s defender Johan Vasquez fight for the ball during the 2026 World Cup Group A football match between Mexico and South Africa at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on June 11, 2026.
Before the kickoff, the 80,000-strong crowd was entertained by Nigerian star Burna Boy, Colombian singer Shakira and a host of performers in an opening ceremony.
More to follow…
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