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Manchester City maintained their pursuit of Arsenal with a narrow 1-0 victory at Leeds United, though the match was overshadowed by a controversial incident involving Rayan Cherki. Meanwhile, Liverpool produced their best performance in weeks with a dominant 5-2 thrashing of West Ham at Anfield.
Leeds United 0-1 Manchester City: Cherki escapes red card
Manchester City secured a crucial three points at Elland Road, but the victory was marred by controversy surrounding Rayan Cherki.
The French playmaker appeared to lose his composure after being fouled, retaliating moments later with a stamp on Leeds midfielder Ilia Gruev. The incident sparked fury among Leeds players and supporters, who demanded a red card.
However, referee and VAR declined to intervene, allowing Cherki to remain on the pitch. The decision quickly became a talking point on social media, with many observers believing City had escaped punishment.
On the pitch, Antoine Semenyo proved the difference. The striker, who has been in fine form since his January move from Bournemouth, scored the only goal to secure all three points for Pep Guardiola's side.
The victory keeps City firmly in the title race, five points behind Arsenal with a game in hand. With the two sides set to meet in the EFL Cup Final in three weeks and the crucial league clash in April, every point counts.
Liverpool 5-2 West Ham: Dutch duo shine at Anfield
Liverpool produced an emphatic performance to sweep aside West Ham United 5-2 at Anfield, with Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo both getting on the scoresheet.
Arne Slot's side were ruthless from set-pieces, scoring three times from corners in the first half alone. Hugo Ekitiké opened the scoring after just five minutes, converting from close range after Gakpo's corner found him in the box. It was a dream start for the Reds.
Van Dijk doubled the lead on 24 minutes with a trademark header from another corner, before Alexis Mac Allister volleyed home a stunning third just before half-time. Liverpool went into the break with a commanding 3-0 advantage.
West Ham refused to capitulate. Tomáš Souček pulled one back early in the second half, but Gakpo restored the three-goal cushion with a fortunate strike that found its way into the net.
Valentín Castellanos made it 4-2 with 15 minutes remaining to give West Ham hope, but an own goal from Axel Disasi – under pressure from the returning Jeremie Frimpong – completed the scoring at 5-2.
Frimpong made his first appearance since returning from injury, coming off the bench with 15 minutes remaining. The Dutch wing-back nearly marked his return with a goal, but Disasi's own goal was credited instead.
"We were fairly good, but it wasn't the best game of the season," said Slot after the match. "We've played better and lost. In the first part of the season, we created many chances from set-pieces but didn't score. Today it was the opposite."
Despite Crysencio Summerville's best efforts – the in-form Dutchman showed flashes of his quality – West Ham couldn't contain Liverpool's attacking threat.
Title race update
| Pos | Team | P | Pts | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal | 28 | 61 | — |
| 2 | Manchester City | 28 | 59 | -2 |
With City's victory at Leeds, the gap to Arsenal is now just two points. The EFL Cup Final on March 22 and the league clash at the Etihad on April 18 loom large.
Saturday's Results
- Leeds United 0-1 Manchester City (Semenyo)
- Liverpool 5-2 West Ham United (Ekitiké 5', Van Dijk 24', Mac Allister 45', Gakpo 58', Disasi og 82' – Souček 48', Castellanos 75')
Dutch players in action
- Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – Goal, headed home from corner
- Cody Gakpo (Liverpool) – Goal and assist for Ekitiké
- Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) – Started in midfield
- Jeremie Frimpong (Liverpool) – Returned from injury, came on 75th minute
- Crysencio Summerville (West Ham) – Started, showed quality in flashes
Upcoming key fixtures
- Mar 22: EFL Cup Final – Arsenal vs Manchester City (Wembley)
- Apr 18: Manchester City vs Arsenal – potential title decider
