Manchester City tightened the Premier League title race with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Leeds United at Elland Road, moving to within two points of leaders Arsenal.
Missing top scorer Erling Haaland due to a minor injury, Pep Guardiola’s side were forced to grind out the result rather than dominate proceedings.
Leeds, who had suffered just two defeats in their previous 16 matches, started brightly and threatened to unsettle the champions early on.
However, City weathered the pressure and gradually imposed themselves.
Antoine Semenyo proved decisive, continuing his fine form since arriving last month by netting the only goal of the contest his sixth in 11 appearances.
“It was a huge victory to remain in the race,” said manager Pep Guardiola, whose team remain active on multiple fronts this season.
He urged focus and recovery ahead of a demanding run of fixtures.
Tempers flared after the final whistle, with Leeds boss Daniel Farke shown a red card following a heated exchange with referee Peter Bankes.
Guardiola also expressed frustration over several officiating decisions.
The pressure now shifts to Arsenal, who host Chelsea in a high-stakes London derby.
Liverpool Climb Into Top Five
At Anfield, Liverpool continued their resurgence with a 5-2 win over West Ham United, climbing into fifth place.
Arne Slot’s men capitalised on set-pieces, scoring three first-half goals from corners.
Hugo Ekitike opened the scoring before Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister added further headers to give the hosts control.
Liverpool’s transformation from one of the league’s weakest sides at defending and attacking set-pieces late last year to one of the most efficient since January has been striking.
Slot acknowledged that performances have not always matched results but welcomed the growing confidence that comes with finding the net from dead-ball situations.
Cody Gakpo added another after the interval, while an own goal compounded West Ham’s misery.
Although Tomas Soucek and Valentin Castellanos struck for the visitors, the Hammers remain two points from safety.
Liverpool now sit three points clear of Chelsea in sixth, with a top-five finish likely to secure Champions League qualification.
Brentford Win Seven-Goal Thriller
Brentford snatched a dramatic 4-3 victory over Burnley at Turf Moor, dealing a severe blow to the Clarets’ survival hopes.
The visitors surged into a three-goal lead inside 34 minutes through Mikkel Damsgaard, Igor Thiago and Kevin Schade.
Burnley mounted a spirited comeback, with Jaidon Anthony and Zian Flemming drawing them level after an own goal had given them hope.
Flemming appeared to have completed the turnaround, only for VAR to intervene.
In stoppage time, Damsgaard struck again to seal the points for Brentford.
A late equaliser from Ashley Barnes was ruled out for handball after another review.
Elsewhere, Everton boosted their European ambitions with a 3-2 win at Newcastle United, while AFC Bournemouth extended their unbeaten run to eight league matches following a 1-1 draw with Sunderland.
