City led through Antoine Semenyo against the run of play but had to dig deep as Leeds pressed for an equaliser
Pep Guardiola has hailed Manchester City’s ability to fight after the team put in a dogged defensive display to secure a 1-0 win over in-form Leeds at Elland Road.
The win places City just two points behind league leaders Arsenal and in prime position to overtake the Gunners with 10 games to go. City are still to face Arsenal at the Etihad.
“A huge victory for us,” Guardiola said of the win. “We behaved really well. My idea of the game is that they started well, but we expect it here. Leeds are so intense.
“After that we did what we are good at for the last decade, a thousand million passes, and make the vibe of the crowd a little bit calmer.
“We missed a little bit more intention up front with the movements, but when they got fatigued the last 15 or 20 minutes we had more intention and to pass the ball to try to score a goal – and we found it at the end of the first half.
“We drop in second halves normally, but that didn’t happen today: we were incredibly focused. We didn’t create much but we didn’t concede anything. It was long balls where we struggled with the second balls. It was a little bit more uncomfortable, but we defended really well.”
Antoine Semenyo scored the only goal of the game as Erling Haaland missed the victory. Guardiola said the Norway international had a minor fitness issue.
“Two days ago in training he had some problems and a little injury,” Guardiola said ahead of the game. “A little injury. It’s not a big issue but not ready for today.”
City’s boss was also displeased with the boos from Leeds fans when the game was stopped in the 13th minute while City’s Muslim players broke their fast.
“It’s the modern world, right?” Guardiola reacted. “Look at what happens in the world right now again today.
“You have to respect religion and respect the diversity – that is the point. The Premier League said for the fasting you can [spend] one or two minutes doing that, so the players did it. It is what it is, unfortunately.”
