Manchester City travelled to Elland Road determined to strengthen their Premier League charge against Leeds United.
Pep Guardiola’s side began with purpose, keeping possession smartly and probing for openings in the final third. Their pressure eventually paid off late in the first half when Antoine Semenyo reacted quickest inside the box to score from close range, handing the visitors a deserved breakthrough.
City looked composed after taking the lead and managed the closing stages of the half with maturity. They went into the interval ahead, aware that discipline and control would be vital in the second period.
After the restart, Guardiola’s men dictated the tempo and limited Leeds’ attacking threat. While chances were at a premium, City showed defensive organisation and composure in possession. It proved enough to see out a slender but valuable 1-0 victory on the road.
Here is how each Manchester City player performed on the night.
GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma – 7/10
Donnarumma made a couple of solid saves during the game and did enough to keep a clean sheet.
RB: Matheus Nunes – 8/10
He was a positive influence at both ends of the field.
CB: Ruben Dias – 8/10
Dias put his foot through the ball when he could and was a good presence on the ball.
CB: Marc Guehi – 7/10
He gave a good account of himself on the defensive end of the field and was a threat going forward.
LB: Rayan Ait-Nouri – 8/10
Ait-Nouri performed his defensive duties well and made a handful of impressive runs with the ball.
CDM: Rodri – 7.5/10
He anchored the midfield well and made one good chance going forward.
CM: Nico O’Reilly – 7/10
O’Reilly caught the eye at times on both halves.
CM: Bernardo Silva – 6.5/10
He worked hard off the ball but offered very little in the final third.
CM: Rayan Cherki – 7/10
Cherki caused a few headaches for his marker, but there was no goal for him.
ST: Omar Marmoush – 6.5/10
He was always willing to have a strike at goal and was replaced in the 67th minute.
ST: Antoine Semenyo – 7/10
Semenyo managed to cause some problems for the opposition defenders and ended up scoring the only goal of the game in the dying embers of the first half.
Substitutes:
RW: Savinho – 6/10
His impact on the game was minimal.
CM: Tijjani Reijnders – 6.5/10
He managed to shine at times after coming on as a substitute.
CB: Nathan Ake – N/A
