English
EspañolManchester City have often been accused of being too reliant on Erling Haaland this season. There are signs that could be changing.
January signing Antoine Semenyo scored the only goal in a tense 1-0 win against Leeds United at Elland Road on Saturday as City, without the injured Haaland, moved to within two points of Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Since signing from Bournemouth for £62.5m, Semenyo has scored six goals in 11 appearances, making him the club's top scorer this year and easing the goalscoring burden on Haaland.
Semenyo's arrival has coincided with an impressive run of form for Pep Guardiola's side as four league wins in a row - and one loss in seven games - have helped them pile the pressure on long-time leaders Arsenal.
The Gunners host Chelsea on Sunday but, with Arsenal and City due to meet in April, they will feel their presence close behind.
"It means everything," said 26-year-old Semenyo. "We just want to win with our games on our side and, whatever Arsenal do, we just have to wait and see.
"We just need to control what we can control, win our games, and we will see what happens."
Guardiola strode on to the pitch after the match and blew kisses in the direction of his family in the stands.
That will also have contained a large dose of smugness towards the Leeds fans, who had been throwing insults towards him during the game, according to the Spaniard.
'We are building these players'
Semenyo's winner silenced a raucous and rowdy crowd with a real poacher's finish, reacting quickest to latch on to Rayan Ait-Nouri's cross and converting with aplomb.
"We made a lot of passes that we needed to do to survive without much intention to attack," said Guardiola.
"The reaction was amazing - unbelievable with the goal we scored. A complete game in a tough, tough place, and 10 games left in the Premier League. Time to be decisive.
"Now we are building these players and they have a long, long time here. It is important for the future for the club."
Semenyo is taking the goalscoring burden off Haaland's shoulders - only his team-mate with 29 and Brentford's Igor Thiago (19) have been involved in more Premier League goals than Semenyo's 18.
Since signing for City, Semenyo has scored four league goals and provided one assist, a goal contributions record which is bettered only by Chelsea pair Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro, who have six apiece.
In late November Haaland had scored 58% of City's goals, taken 30% of their shots and had 57% of their expected goals (xG).
He had scored 19 goals in all competitions. Burnley's Maxime Esteve was City's second highest scorer in the league thanks to his two own goals in the game at Etihad Stadium.
Now, while Haaland's impressive haul of 29 goals for the campaign still leads the way, Semenyo - and others - are silencing those who feared City were too reliant on the Norwegian's goals.
'It's not a big issue'
Guardiola did not reveal the extent of Haaland's injury and could not say if he will be fit for the game against Nottingham Forest at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.
His omission came as a surprise as there was no hint beforehand of Haaland missing out on the trip to Leeds.
"We don't have spies in the training centre to deliver the info to our media," said Guardiola. "I think it is not a big issue. We will see."
It was the first Premier League match Haaland has not been involved in this season.
A surprising statistic, though, shows that since the start of the 2022-23 season City have won 14 of their 18 league games without Haaland, averaging 2.4 points per game in his absence compared to 2.1 when he features.
Victory over Leeds means City have lost only one of their past 15 games when playing a day before Arsenal.
The first direct blow between the sides will be struck next month in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.