Manchester City

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Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester City go in search of a seventh consecutive win in all competitions, hosting relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest. BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before Wednesday's match (19:30 GMT).

Semenyo shining for City

No Erling Haaland, no problem. Manchester City were without their top scorer for the visit to Leeds – the city where the Norwegian was born – but nonetheless recorded another important victory to keep the pressure on leaders Arsenal.

Perhaps it should be no surprise. City have won 14 of the 18 top-flight fixtures Haaland has missed since arriving in 2022, losing only twice.

Manager Pep Guardiola hailed the result as a "huge victory", praising his team's "incredible focus" after surviving sustained late pressure at Elland Road. Grinding out victories has become something of a hallmark for this current City side, who have won three of their past four league games by a single-goal margin.

While defender Marc Guehi played a crucial role in City hanging on to their lead on Saturday, it was fellow January signing Antoine Semenyo who was the match-winner. The Ghana international has scored six times in 11 league and cup appearances since joining from Bournemouth for an initial £62.5m, helping to relieve the goalscoring burden on Haaland.

Overall, he has been directly involved in 18 Premier League goals this season, scoring 14 and assisting four more. Only three players had higher figures prior to the latest round of fixtures.

Can Igor Jesus find his scoring touch in the Premier League?

Nottingham Forest have lost their three Premier League matches at the Etihad Stadium by an aggregate score of 11-0 and new boss Vitor Pereira believes his struggling team must "approach this game with intelligence", stressing they need to recognise "when it's not the time to press".

Pereira's cautious approach may be understandable given he has not celebrated a Premier League win since last April, when his Wolves side defeated Leicester 3-0. But if Forest are to stay up, more cutting edge will be needed. Their tally of 26 goals this season is the second lowest in the top flight, with only Wolves having netted fewer.

Chris Wood led the line effectively last term, hitting 20 Premier League goals, but has not played since October because of a knee injury. Forest have therefore turned to Igor Jesus, who joined from Botafogo last summer for £10m. While the 25-year-old is his side's top scorer this season he has struggled to make an impact when it matters most.

Ten of his 12 goals have come in cup competitions, where he has demonstrated elite finishing, scoring with 35.7% of his shots and outperforming his expected goals figure by more than four.

But it has been a very different story in the Premier League. While he has attempted 50 shots, only 10 have been on target and just two have resulted in goals – a paltry shot conversion rate of 4%.

Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira was brought in to keep them up but he has a 0% winning ratio in the Premier League this season after 10 games in charge of Wolves and now two defeats with Forest.

It's hard to see that changing at Etihad Stadium - City are going to win comfortably, whether or not Erling Haaland is back from injury to lead their attack.

Pereira was moaning about the way Forest pressed in their defeat by Brighton at the weekend, but if you keep bringing in different managers and changing the way you play, then it is going to end up biting you on the backside.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City did the job against Leeds and not without a few anxious moments themselves. It is obvious they do not buy into one of the game's oldest maxims as perceived wisdom has it that mid-season signings are rarely the ones that make the biggest difference when going for the title.

Marc Guehi has been proving this is nonsense since his move and Antoine Semenyo's impact looks like being just as profound. Another goal, the winner at Elland Road on Saturday, underlined the genius of their January trading. Semenyo has scored six goals in 11 domestic appearances since his arrival as well as a couple of assists – these are numbers most centre forwards would be proud of.

Others have improved with a good transfer window. Bournemouth replaced Semenyo with Rayan which looks astute while West Ham have given themselves a chance of survival since the introduction of both Valentin Castellanos and Pablo Felipe.

Right now, however, the £84m splashed out by City looks like being the best business by some distance, just when they really needed an extra gear for the sprint finish.

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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game against Nottingham Forest at Etihad Stadium (kick-off 19:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On Erling Haaland, who missed the Leeds game with a knock, Guardiola said: "He is much better but yesterday we didn't train. Now we have training. We'll decide today after training." Guardiola said the "same" applied to Nico O'Reilly, who suffered an ankle injury against Leeds.

• Asked about facing Vitor Pereira's Porto with Barcelona in the Uefa Super Cup in 2011, he said: "I remember perfectly. I remember Wolves last season. The first half they outplayed us and were better. We were lucky. He's a top-class manager. Forest have some top-class players."

• The Catalan added: "Forest play for an important thing like us. We have six games in this month. It's really important - we are five points behind Arsenal so we cannot drop points."

• Guardiola then faced several questions on the increased importance of set-pieces in the Premier League. "I remember as a young boy every time in Spain people would say 'in England when there's a corner people would celebrate like a goal'. So nothing has changed." He went on to say it has become more common and compared it to three-pointers becoming a bigger part of basketball's NBA.

• On Liverpool boss Arne Slot saying he doesn't like it, Guardiola said: "I understand why Arne said that in some aspects."

• But he said teams have to get used to it. "Yes. It is what it is. It is the business I am in. I am a manager. I can't say 'I don't like set-pieces'. I adapt and do it," he said. "Football is not being played in one way since football was created. Football in England is different than Spain and Italy. That's why the Champions League is nice – everyone plays in a different way. How boring would it be if everyone plays the same way. If I don't like it, it's my business. If I don't like, I don't watch but I have to adapt."

• Guardiola was asked about the amount of pushing and pulling at corners more than once but would not engage. He said: "My opinion remains to me. I share with my players a lot about what happens inside and outside the box but it remains absolutely with me and I don't want to share it with you."

• He spoke of his happiness at still being in the hunt in all four competitions, stating: "I believe winter time finishes here in February. March starts to be at 5pm, 6pm, it's not dark. We're in the competitions. A dream. We're so happy. Next Saturday against Newcastle [in the FA Cup], two games against Real Madrid. It's good to be here."

Hit play above to hear more from Guardiola or listen on BBC Sounds here

There will be full commentary of the game on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website.

Follow all of Tuesday's Premier League news conferences.

Have you got a question about Manchester City or is there a topic you want more information on? Post your question here

Manchester City are keen on re-signing Lukas Nmecha from Borussia Dortmund. The 25-year-old was released by City five years ago without making a Premier League appearance but is wanted back by Pep Guardiola. (Goal), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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Freddie Pye
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

When Manchester City were first linked with Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo and Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi in January, there were the usual critics hitting out at the supposed greed and financial muscle. Some claimed sporting director Hugo Viana's business and approach to the market was unnecessary.

Into their third month at the club, and both Semenyo and Guehi are not only proving to be worth every penny, but also highlighting why they very well could be the ultimate difference-makers in the Premier League title race.

At Elland Road on Saturday, there were nerves from some City supporters when it emerged Erling Haaland would miss out entirely with an injury sustained in training. But in Semenyo, they have one of the most tactically versatile attacking players in the division - a physically imposing forward with an eye for goal.

And at the other end of the pitch, when riding the storm of a fierce Elland Road atmosphere and an intense Daniel Farke outfit looking to be brave and impose themselves in transition and on set-pieces, Guehi stood tall and outlined why he is more than just a graceful, ball-playing centre-back

The former Palace captain was rough, tough and determined to put his body on the line for the cause. He seems adored by the likes of Ruben Dias and Gianluigi Donnarumma alongside him.

With their two most recent recruits, City are finding the perfect balance of winning games in a tight manner in terms of scoreline, while also imposing their controlled game-play and slick passing system. They're doing it all while being willing to fight for every cause in defensive areas.

Viana and Manchester City had to get it right in January, and the victory at Leeds highlighted more than ever that they did just that.

This wasn't a recruitment drive just about denying Premier League rivals the opportunity to sign two of the very best operators in the division, but more about identifying and bringing in names that seem like they have been Etihad Stadium stars for the past decade.

Find more from Freddie Pye at City Xtra, external

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Leeds United and Manchester City.

Here are some of your comments:

Leeds fans

Peter: We did everything right except put the ball in the net. Frustrated.

Mark: You HAVE to take your chances at this level, against teams like City... you don't and you lose. Dominic Calvert-Lewin looked well off it for large periods of the game. He struggles badly up front when on his own - that's just not his game.

Ruth: I feel optimistic and proud of the way Leeds are playing at the moment. They are not being embarrassed by the big clubs and are showing passionate, gutsy play. Unlucky not to get a draw. MOT.

Ron: Think we need to be pragmatic. Look at the difference in the cost of the teams and wages. We gave them a good game and after the weekend we have increased the goal difference on West Ham to 10, goals so it's basically seven points between us at the moment.

Man City fans

Mark: A narrow win at this stage of the season is worth its weight in gold, but not great for the nerves!

Alan: One hard-earned win against a tough Leeds side. A masterclass from Rodri.

Tim: It was a determined performance with a sprinkling of quality and that's what wins games.

Gene: A very hard-fought win which would've been by more if not for a couple of nice saves by the Leeds keeper Karl Darrow. After surviving the initial first-half surge, the possession slowed the game down providing scoring opportunities. The second-half sleepwalking didn't show up as they battled through, showing maturity and composure. The team is coming together, both at the front and back, with passing combinations clicking.

Manchester City are willing to pay £70m - a record fee for a full-back - in order to land England defender Tino Livramento, 23, from Newcastle United. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Match of the Day pundits Alan Shearer and Ashley Williams look at Marc Guehi's impressive partnership with Ruben Dias in Manchester City's 1-0 win at Leeds.

Shamoon Hafez
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Antoine 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 Pep 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 Erling 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.

Read more analysis on City's win at Leeds here

Pundits Alan Shearer and Ashley Williams join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Newcastle 2-3 Everton

• Liverpool 5-2 West Ham

• Leeds 0-1 Manchester City

Shamoon Hafez
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

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, Manchester 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.

City scraped past Leeds without Erling Haaland, who missed out on playing against the club his father used to represent.

Manager Pep Guardiola said the Norwegian was not fully fit, so it remains to be seen whether Haaland will be involved against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday.

But £62.5m man Antoine Semenyo showed why City splashed out for him, bolstering the goal threat in the final third and displaying the nous of his absent team-mate with a poacher's finish.

Nico O'Reilly had scored in his past two league games and almost found the net again when he leapt to meet Matheus Nunes' cross, but the Englishman's bullet header was pushed away by Karl Darlow's reflex save.

Play was briefly halted during the first half to allow players to break their Ramadan fast, with the stoppage being loudly jeered and whistled by large numbers in attendance.

Man City boss Pep Guardiola, speaking to BBC MOTD: "We made a lot of passes that we needed to do to survive without much intention to attack. The reaction was amazing, unbelievable with the goal we scored. 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."

On new signings standing out: "Cherki, for me, is the best game. Solidity and aggressive with the ball. All of them were really good - commitment and they stick with the gameplan. Now, in that part of the season - how is the mindset?

"After nine months, everyone knows what they want to do. Especially the game for the gap of the Champions League is a bit bigger and that is so important for the club. Only English club that has been in 10-11 years every year in the Champions League."

On Erling Haaland: "We don't have spies in the training centre to deliver the info to our media. I think it is not a big issue. We will see."

Listen to more from Guardiola on BBC Sounds here

Manchester City goalscorer Antoine Semenyo, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "Definitely a big one. Every game is a big one until the end of the season. We just want to win as many as we can and keep the pressure on.

"They made it tough, lots of crosses. They have a lot of guys who are good in the box good aerially, we wanted to make good contact and put them off and clear our lines.

On Rayan Aït-Nouri's assist: "I know when he gets to the line he wants to smash it across so I made the movement in front and it just landed in the right place to tap it in.

On if he will be keeping an eye on Arsenal tomorrow: "I try to wind down, try to not watch anything and just relax. We'll see what happens."

Did you know?

• Since the start of 2022-23, Manchester City have won 14 of their 18 Premier League games without Erling Haaland (D2 L2), taking 2.4 points per game and achieving a 78% win rate without the Norwegian.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Leeds' performance

What did you make of Man City's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Image source, BBC Sport

Manager Daniel Farke has named the same 11 that drew with Aston Villa seven days ago.

Leeds XI: Darlow, Bogle, Justin, Rodon, Struijk, Gudmundsson; Stach, Ampadu, Gruev, Aaronson; Calvert-Lewin

Subs: Perri, Bornauw, Bijol, Longstaff, Tanaka, James, Gnonto, Nmecha, Piroe

However, the big news from Elland Road comes from the Manchester City camp, with top scorer Erling Haaland not in the squad.

The reason behind the Norway international's absence is unknown, though we'll be hearing from Pep Guardiola shortly.

Man City XI: Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias, Guehi, Ait Nouri; Rodri, Cherki, Silva, O'Reilly; Semenyo, Marmoush

Subs: Trafford, Reijnders, Stones, Ake, Dokue, Nico, Sainho, Khusanov, Foden

Image source, BBC Sport