Antoine Semenyo scored just before half-time as title-chasing Manchester City escaped Elland Road with victory over an energetic Leeds United.
The hard-earned outcome narrowed Arsenal’s lead to two points at the top of the Premier League.
City travelled to West Yorkshire without their Leeds-born star striker Erling Haaland who was injured in training, and it looked for large periods in the first half that they would rue not having their top goalscorer available.
But Ghana international Semenyo stretched to convert Rayan Ait-Nouri’s fizzed low ball into the penalty area for his sixth City goal since joining from Bournemouth in January.
Leeds will be wondering how they did not score after making a sprightly start and giving City real cause for early concern.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin had a golden opportunity inside the opening four minutes, but the Englishman somehow poked wide from eight yards after connecting with Brenden Aaronson’s cross from the right.
The ex-Everton man struck another effort wide from a tricky angle and was unable to add to his 10 league goals this season, as Semenyo’s winner left the hosts six points clear of the relegation zone.
Coming to a raucous Elland Road and leaving with all three points. despite being second best for large periods, is the type of result that many a title-winning side has had before.
With 10 games remaining, City are right in the mix.
They have put pressure back on Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, who host Chelsea on Sunday (kick-off 16:30 GMT) when the Gunners will be aiming to re-establish a five-point advantage at the top.
