Manchester City 2 Leicester City 0: City player ratings as Manchester City finally win a game | OneFootball

Manchester City 2 (Savinho 21′, Erling Haaland 74′)

Leicester City 0

Here are the City player ratings as Manchester City finally returned to winning ways with a 2-nil win over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium. Goals from Savinho and Erling Haaland secured all three points for Pep Guardiola’s side in an entertaining affair.

First half

The game kicked off with Manchester City looking confident in possession. Their first chance of the match came in the 4th minute through Kevin De Bruyne whose left-footed strike from outside the area went over the bar. Leicester City responded with their first chance when Stephen Mavididi fired a shot just wide of Stefan Ortega’s post.

Erling Haaland then saw a right-footed shot from a good position saved by Leicester City keeper Jakub Storlarcyk after a nice ball from Kevin De Bruyne in the 7th minute.

In the 19th minute, Jamie Vardy saw a shot saved by Stefan Ortega. An error from Josko Gvardiol played in the Leicester City striker but Ortega’s saved his blushes.

But Manchester City took the lead two minutes later. A Phil Foden strike from outside the box was parried away by Storlarcyk. Savinho was on hand to fire home a tap-in to give Manchester City the lead. The goal was Savinho’s first for Manchester City and one that he savoured.

In the 36th minute, Erling Haaland made a powerful run and saw his shot from just inside the area go inches wide. But the run from Haaland resembled him at his best which was a positive for Manchester City.

Leicester City nearly equalised moments later. A header from Facundo Buonanotte hit the post with Stefan Ortega stranded. It was a warning shot to Pep Guardiola’s side and there had been several throughout the first half.

At halftime, Manchester City went in with a 1-nil lead. The first half was an entertaining affair with both teams having their moments.

Second half

Leicester City made a bright start to the second half and looked calm and composed in possession. Outside of a hopeful penalty shout their best chance came in the 53rd minute. A well-worked move set up Bilal El Khannouss for a shot from the edge of the area but his shot just went over the bar.

In the 61st minute, Leicester City almost equalised. After a dangerous free kick was floated in, a goal-mouth scramble ensued, and a James Justin header was cleared off the line by Manuel Akanji. Leicester City were becoming the dominant side, and Pep Guardiola’s side was beginning to hang on by the skin of their teeth.

In the 68th minute, Jamie Vardy missed a chance from 3 yards out after a sublime ball from Stephen Mavididi. But you did get the sense that it was only a matter of time before Leicester equalised.

In the 74th minute, Manchester City doubled their lead. A sublime piece of play from James McAtee unlocked the Leicester City defence. From that piece of play, Kevin De Bruyne played a ball wide to Savinho, who played in a teasing ball for Erling Haaland to make it 2-nil. All credit must go to James McAtee for creating the goal.

In the 85th minute, James McAtee curled an effort just over the bar after a driving run from Erling Haaland. McAtee’s cameo off the bench showed everything he could bring to Pep Guardiola’s side which is food for thought going forward.

In the 89th minute, a Jamie Vardy header hit the crossbar. Leicester, to their credit, hadn’t given up the fight just yet.

But after that, the game played out without incident. Manchester City picked up a much-needed 2-nil win and credit must go to City’s travelling fans who sung their hearts out over the full 90 minutes.

Here are the City player ratings from the King Power Stadium.

City player ratings

Stefan Ortega-6.5/10: Did what he had to do with minimal fuss.

Rico Lewis-7.5/10: I thought Lewis was superb. Did his job well in trying circumstances.

Manuel Akanji-7/10: Akanji was solid at the back, and despite being less than 100% fit, he did what he had to do.

Nathan Ake-7/10: Did all he could once again before being substituted. Did his job well at the back but looked like he gave all he physically could once again.

Josko Gvardiol-6/10: His errors on another day could’ve been costly. To his credit, he defended well, but he needs to cut the errors out of his game.

Mateo Kovacic-7.5/10: I thought Kovacic was superb. His runs from midfield gave City the drive they needed and he did his job well.

Kevin De Bruyne-6/10: There were flashes of brilliance from De Bruyne. But when City didn’t have possession he struggled.

Bernardo Silva-8/10: I thought Bernardo was brilliant. His energy was crucial as was his ability to play multiple roles for his team.

Savinho-8/10: Scored his first goal for Manchester City and picked up an assist. The Brazilian winger is beginning to show just how good he can be and today’s performance is the standard for him going forward.

Phil Foden-4/10: It was Foden’s shot that was saved, which led to Savinho’s goal. But outside of that, his pressing was non-existent and that put pressure on his teammates. Not his best performance at all.

Erling Haaland-8.5/10: Manchester City’s man-of-the-match in my opinion. He dropped into midfield when needed and showed he is much more than just a goal scorer. A superb performance from Haaland.

Substitutes

James McAtee-8/10: McAtee was finally allowed to make an impression and he did. He set up Haaland’s goal and gave Manchester City the energy they desperately needed. He needs to play more going forward.

Kyle Walker-6/10: Defended well and kept it simple when he came on for Ake. That’s all Walker needs to do as his body lets him down and he did that today.