Manchester City ensured that, despite their poor recent run, they would end 2024 on a high as goals from Savinho and Erling Haaland secured a 2-0 victory for the Premier League champions at Leicester City.
Both teams had good early chances, with Haaland firing straight at Jakub Stolarczyk after a good cut-back from Kevin De Bruyne, while Stefan Ortega had to be alert to deny Jamie Vardy after Josko Gvardiol’s header sold the City goalkeeper short.
Pep Guardiola, who was celebrating his 500th game in charge of the visitors, saw his side take the lead when Phil Foden’s long-range shot was parried by Stolarczyk, and Savinho reacted quickest to convert for his first goal since arriving at the club in the summer. Leicester, however, were not deterred, and after Facundo Buonanotte headed against the post late in the first half, the Foxes dominated the second period, with Manuel Akanji clearing off the line from James Justin before Vardy volleyed over from close range.
In the end, it was left to Haaland to settle City’s nerves as the Norwegian found space to head home at the back post from Savinho’s floated cross, securing just a second win in their last 14 outings in all competitions.
GOAL rates City’s players from the King Power Stadium…
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Getty Images SportGoalkeeper & Defence
Stefan Ortega (7/10):
Alert to deny Vardy after Gvardiol’s headed back-pass fell short, and looked assured in most of his work to secure City’s first away clean sheet since October 1.
Rico Lewis (7/10):
Spent much of the game inverted into central midfield and showed some nice touches when combining with Foden and De Bruyne. Fared OK when forced into more defensive work in the second half, too.
Manuel Akanji (6/10):
A statue at times as Leicester played through City, but grew into the game as it wore on. In the right place to clear Justin’s effort off the line.
Nathan Ake (7/10):
Stepped up to catch Vardy offside on more than one occasion, and made a couple of key interventions inside his own penalty area. Looked like he picked up an injury midway through the second half, however.
Josko Gvardiol (5/10):
Very lucky not to be punished by Vardy after his header landed at the striker’s feet inside the City penalty area. A threat in the final third, but defensively continues to struggle.
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Getty Images SportMidfield
Mateo Kovacic (6/10):
Carried the ball through midfield, but that did leave him out of position on transition at times. Combative but lacks the quality of Rodri.
Kevin De Bruyne (8/10):
The best player on the pitch as he made smart runs and played incisive passes that opened up the Leicester defence. Involved in the build-up to both goals in a performance that showed that his class remains.
Bernardo Silva (6/10):
Characteristically busy in midfield as he found passing angles and put himself about defensively. Couldn’t quite have a telling impact, however.
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Getty Images SportAttack
Phil Foden (5/10):
His shot led to Savinho’s opener while he put in a few teasing crosses, but last season’s Premier League Player of the Year continues to struggle in terms of making a telling contribution.
Erling Haaland (6/10):
Did not bring his shooting boots in the first half, as he fired straight at Stolarczyk early on before putting an effort wide after working himself into a good position. Eventually got his goal, however, with a towering header to seal the points, and looked reborn thereafter as he drove at the Leicester defence.
Savinho (7/10):
Recovered from a shaky start to react quickest to Foden’s parried shot and find the net for the first time in City blue. Quiet thereafter until his fine cross found Haaland for the second City goal.
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AFPSubs & Manager
James McAtee (7/10):
Brilliant quick feet on the right led to City’s second goal after he replaced Foden, and he proved a real livewire down the right after replacing Foden.
Kyle Walker (6/10):
Solid up against Mavididi after replacing the stricken Ake.
Pep Guardiola (6/10):
His side were far from convincing and he still needs to find answers in defensive transition, but can at least celebrate a rare victory after a barren couple of months.
Source goal.com
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