The Ghana international continued his fine Premier League campaign with a decisive strike that keeps City firmly in the title race, moving them to within two points of leaders Arsenal, who face Chelsea on Sunday.
Semenyo, who joined City in January, has had to adjust to a slightly different tactical role under Pep Guardiola this season.
In possession, he operates in narrower attacking positions, often drifting centrally to support the striker. Out of possession, however, he is required to stay wider to maintain defensive structure and pressing balance.
With Erling Haaland unavailable, City needed penetration through the middle. Semenyo provided it. Showing sharp awareness and intelligent movement, he darted into space down the centre as Rayan Aït-Nouri delivered a low cross across goal. The 24-year-old timed his run perfectly and tapped into an empty net to seal the win.
Speaking after the match, Semenyo credited his teammates and coaching staff for helping him settle into the system.
“The hard work starts every day in training. The boys just make it so easy for me to adapt, they try to play to my strengths. Same with the coach, he’s trying to help me just be confident, be calm in some moments, and pop up and score some goals.”
“It’s all about adapting. I’m enjoying the process, and I’m playing around world class players, so it’s making me better and keeping me on my toes,” he added.
The forward admitted adjusting to Guardiola’s tactical demands has not been straightforward.
“It’s been tough, it hasn’t been easy. I think how he wants me to be is high in attacking positions, be out wide - and once we have the ball defensively, be narrow. It’s obviously not easy, it’s a hard graft, but I’m quite versatile in that sense.”
Semenyo’s latest goal was his 14th in the Premier League campaign in what is his most prolific season ever. The Ghanaian is hoping to win his first piece of major silverware with Manchester City this season.
