Grealish elated after starring role in victory over Leicester | OneFootball

Jack Grealish has expressed his delight after his goal and Player of the Match display propelled City to a commanding 2-0 Premier League victory over Leicester City.

The Englishman got the ball rolling at the Etihad Stadium in his first league start of the calendar year, sweeping into the bottom corner from Savinho's accurate pass after just two minutes.

Omar Marmoush doubled the lead shortly before the half-hour mark, before Savinho was denied a third by a smart save from Mads Hermansen as we jumped up to fourth in the league table.

The second-half saw the introduction of Oscar Bobb from the bench, resulting in rapturous applause from the home fans after the Norwegian missed almost eight months due to injury.

MATCH REPORT: CITY 2-0 LEICESTER CITY

Grealish, who was named Player of the Match after an impressive and energetic display, expressed his joy in his post-match interview.

"I wanted the chance to play," he started. "I’ve only started in the FA Cup in 2025. As you can imagine I was devastated to not play on the weekend as I’d played in every other round. So I was so disappointed but I came on and I feel like I played well. I feel like I deserved to play tonight. I was just happy.

SUPER JACK: Player of the Match.

"I think this season I’ve not been at my best, even last season. But I feel like even when I’ve played, especially in 2025, I’ve only started three or four games, I’ve not started in the Premier League since before Christmas. But yeah, I was happy that I started tonight and happy to score.

"I know myself that I could score more but I know I give a lot more than just scoring. My highest ever tally in goals is about eight in a season.

"I was never brought here to score 20 or 30 goals a season. I think even when I was at Villa the year before I was brought here I scored six goals.

GALLERY: Grealish and marmoush tame foxes!

"Listen, I’ve never been one of these people who score constantly. Obviously I’d love to score, there’s not many better feelings. But I feel like I offer a lot more to the team than just scoring.

"I was happy to score tonight. It was difficult to break them down in the second half. The main thing when you’re winning 2-0 is to not give them chances and I don’t think they had a shot in the second half.

"It was difficult to get the third goal but I think we were happy to get the win and get a clean sheet."

The 29-year-old also paid tribute to his late brother following the game, dedicating the goal and victory to him on the day he sadly passed away 25 years ago.

"It was a nice day because my little brother passed away 25 years ago today. This day is always hard in the family but I was happy to score," he said.

"My mum and dad were here. This day is always difficult in the family. So to score and to win was brilliant."