Semenyo ready to lead Manchester City attack in Erling Haaland’s absence

Antoine Semenyo has made it clear he would have no problem stepping into Erling Haaland’s shoes if Manchester City need him to lead the attack.

The Ghana international strengthened his case with two clinical finishes during City’s thrilling 5-3 Premier League victory over Sunderland on Sunday.

Semenyo’s brace came in a frantic contest that saw both sides trade blows throughout the afternoon, with City eventually maintaining their perfect start to the campaign.

Haaland also got on the scoresheet, underlining the attacking firepower available to Enzo Maresca.

However, City’s summer transfer business has left them without an obvious natural replacement for Haaland should the Norwegian striker miss a game.

Maresca has identified Semenyo as the most obvious alternative, despite the 26-year-old primarily operating as a winger.

And Semenyo appears more than willing to embrace the challenge.

“I’ve heard about his backup striker thing. I don’t know where it’s come from!

“But, yes, if I need to, then I’ll do it. I’ve no problem in doing that.”

His finishing against Sunderland certainly provided evidence that Semenyo could offer City another attacking option when required.

The forward was composed in front of goal and showed the kind of ruthlessness City will demand from anyone asked to occupy the central striking role.

Semenyo believes his ability to finish naturally comes from his confidence inside the penalty area.

“I think that just comes naturally.

“Once I’m in front of the goal, I know it doesn’t move. So as long as I hit it in the corner, hit it with a good connection, I know it will go in.”

City were forced to work for their victory, however, as Sunderland refused to sit back despite playing in midweek in the Europa League.

Brian Brobbey produced an outstanding response for the visitors with a hat-trick, while Enzo Fernandez and Rayan Cherki also found the net for City.

Haaland eventually added City’s fifth late in the game to settle the contest.

The match could easily have gone either way during several frantic periods, with both teams creating a string of opportunities.

Haaland missed an open goal, Brobbey struck the bar and Ruben Dias was forced into a crucial goal-line clearance.

Sunderland also believed they should have been awarded a penalty after a handball involving Elliot Anderson.

For Semenyo, surviving that kind of contest was another important sign of City’s character.

“It was a tough one. Physically, we knew it would be like that – duels, aerial balls, set-pieces.

“We knew it would be a fight, and we just needed to stick together collectively and win our individual duels and get three points, which we’ve done.

“Sometimes it is going to be like that, not every game you can control. You just have to ride the waves. We knew if we got our chances, we would score.”

The victory extended City’s winning run to seven games in all competitions since their Community Shield defeat against Arsenal.

They now sit three points clear at the top of the Premier League after five matches, giving Maresca an impressive start in charge.

But Semenyo insists City are not allowing their perfect league record to create complacency.

“Everyone feels good. It’s where we want to be, but we’re not going to get too complacent, too relaxed. We know that there’s a lot more games to go.

“We just want to continue winning, we just have to keep going.

“It’s seven or eight weeks we’ve been together now, so it’s not been too long, but we’re doing well. We’re winning our games and we’ll keep improving.”

With Haaland still City’s undisputed attacking focal point, Semenyo may not get many opportunities to lead the line.

But after his Sunderland performance, the Ghanaian has shown that he is ready if Maresca calls his number.

For City, having another player capable of producing goals could prove valuable across a season packed with Premier League and European commitments.