Match Report and Player Ratings: Leicester City 0-2 Manchester City (Premier League) | OneFootball

Manchester City were not at their blistering best against Leicester City, but they finally ended their winless run with a hard-fought 0-2 win at the King Power Stadium.

A rare moment of levity in what has been a torrid time for the Premier League champions saw Savinho score his first goal for the club to give them a first-half lead. The second period was largely dominated by the hosts, but City turned the tables on a team that has often hurt them on the counter-attack by sealing the game with an Erling Haaland goal on the break.

City started refreshingly quickly in their use of the ball, so whilst Leicester were offered a little encouragement in some breaks, the visitors fashioned the first chance through Rico Lewis’ lofted ball and Kevin de Bruyne’s intelligent cut-back, although Haaland could only shoot into Jakub Stolarczyk’s legs.

That counter-attacking threat was evident immediately afterwards, as City were cut through with ease and only the offside flag denied Leicester a penalty for Stefan Ortega’s foul on Jamie Vardy.

The Foxes were gaining in confidence and in the possession statistics, and after a spell on the ball they almost profited from a short backpass by Josko Gvardiol, only for Ortega to sprawl and block Vardy’s shot.

You felt it was the same story as so many City defeats this season and that the opposition’s goal was a matter of moments away, but that was when the Blues struck; neat interplay freed Phil Foden for a snapshot from range, and whilst Stolarczyk pushed the drive away, it wasn’t far enough and Savinho followed in to lash home gleefully.

City will have been happy that nothing much happened in the game for a while after their opener, with a flashed ball across the face without a touch from either team the best that Leicester could muster in response to going behind.

The champions then nearly doubled their lead just after half an hour, as Erling Haaland collected from Mateo Kovacic 30 yards from goal and burst past a few challenges, but pulled his low effort narrowly wide.

Things were ramping up and Leicester nearly had their equalising, forcing some blocks from City defenders before getting a free header from Facundo Buonanotte which drifted onto the post and was cleared away.

The Blues survived the first half with their one-goal lead, but Leicester started the second half on top too and had shouts for a penalty from Nathan Ake’s challenge on Buonanotte waved away, correctly as the replay revealed.

The game hit the hour mark and City were wilting, as another Leicester attack needed Manuel Akanji to clear James Justin’s header off the line. Substitutes came for the Blues but the hosts’ dominance didn’t change, Vardy missing another opening as he lifted Victor Kristiansen’s cross over the bar.

Maybe it’s a sign of the side City have become this season, but so many times in the past, opposition sides have struck against the run of play whilst being dominated by the Blues, but on this occasion, Pep Guardiola’s men were the ones to snatch their rare chance.

Substitute James McAtee worked the ball wonderfully to de Bruyne, who played it wide for Savinho to deliver to the back post, where Haaland was waiting to bury his header and cause an explosion of relief both in the away end and from his teammates on the pitch.

City were happy to soak up the pressure and hit on the break from there, so whilst half-chances were shared, the points are not; the champions have won at a Premier League away ground for the first time since October.

Here’s how we rated the Manchester City players from their battling victory in Leicester on Sunday afternoon!

Player Ratings

Starting XI

Stefan Ortega – 7.5

Stood tall to deny Leicester their openings, and showed the smarts picked up in his time with other struggling teams to slow the game down whenever necessary.

Manuel Akanji – 6

It’s always a tough ask for defenders to play in such a high line against a team like Leicester that thrives on the break, but we are used to seeing Akanji deal with these demands better than he did today.

Nathan Ake – 7

Probably still not fully fit, hence his limping withdrawal before the 70th minute. It didn’t impact his defending too much though, as he remained sharp to clear away Leicester threats.

Josko Gvardiol – 6

A major victim of City’s injury woes this season, as whilst he hasn’t been afflicted himself, it has meant he’s had to keep on playing even through his stretches of bad form. Doesn’t look confident right now.

Rico Lewis – 6.5

Kept stepping into the middle no matter how many kicks he took. Still looked a little lightweight though.

Mateo Kovacic – 6.5

Drove through the middle in many of City’s best moments, but clearly needs more help in there defending against transitions than he received today.

Kevin de Bruyne – 7

Dispelled worries over his fitness with a super hard-working showing, and whilst not everything he tried came off in attack, he was one of the Blues’ brightest sparks.

Bernardo Silva – 7

Did the simple things – ball retention, effort levels, covering for teammates – very well, so whilst he could have been more more threatening going forward, it has to go down as a solid display from the Portuguese.

Phil Foden – 6.5

Looked best when he was exchanging quick passes and firing sharp shots off, as he did for Savinho’s goal, or with some good set-piece deliveries. Did look a little passive on the right otherwise.

Erling Haaland – 7.5

Continued his recent trend of getting more involved in the game from deep, going close to scoring with some nice efforts. Eventually got his reward with a top header.

Savinho – 8 (MOTM)

In a game of tight margins and a lot of struggling, you have to commend the key difference-maker. Floated in and out of the action but won it for his side with a goal and an assist.

Substitutes

James McAtee – 7.5

Breathed life into City with his energy and confidence, also playing a key part in the clinching goal. Now to see if Pep Guardiola rewards this great cameo from McAtee with the minutes so many supporters have been crying out for for so long.

Kyle Walker – 6.5

Decent enough defensive work to help see it out.