Manchester City edged past Leicester City 1-0 in an entertaining match at the King Power Stadium on Saturday evening, with Gabriel Jesus netting the winner ten minutes from time.
The hosts started brightly, with Kelechi Iheanacho wasting a good opportunity to get in behind. A deft pass from James Maddison sent the forward through on goal, but he failed to control the ball. With seven minutes on the clock, Jamie Vardy was put through one-on-one with Ederson and while the stadium was expecting the net to ripple, his shot came back out off the post.
Both sides began to have spells of possession, but it was Leicester's Maddison who came close. His free-kick curled over the wall and appeared to be heading in until Ederson parried it away at full stretch. The Englishman then provided a delicate pass through to Iheanacho and although the forward was clattered into by the City shot-stopper, only a corner was awarded.
FULL-TIME | @gabrieljesus33 nets the only goal in a hard-fought win! Played lads!
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 22, 2020
That puts us seven points clear of Leicester.
🦊 0-1 🔵 #LEIMCI#ManCity pic.twitter.com/d5cIgO6EEy
Seconds before the whistle blew for half time, Sergio Aguero curled the ball into the back of the net, but it was ruled out for offside. The Foxes came close twice after the restart before Kevin de Bruyne forced Kasper Schmeichel into a stunning save. However, City were awarded a penalty on 61 minutes after a handball by Dennis Praet, but Aguero saw his penalty saved.
With ten minutes remaining, however, substitute Gabriel Jesus struck to put his side into the lead. The home side pushed for an equaliser, but were unable to find one.
Here's 90min's breakdown of the game...
LEICESTER CITY
Key Talking Point
Brendan Rodgers opted to switch to a back five for the clash with City, as opposed to the more commonly used back four. This saw Christian Fuchs come back into the side, providing additional support at the back for the Foxes.
They made a flying start to the game, looking resolute at the back as well as being sharp in attack. The extra numbers in defence allowed them to prevent City from being able to dictate possession, while they also had an extra attacker each time they went forward. However, while they created a number of openings, they failed to take their chances in the first half.
They continued to test the Man City backline in the second period, but they were eventually made to pay for these missed chances and in the end, it will be a case of 'what could have been' for Leicester. Nonetheless, Rodgers will take undoubted positives from the performances.
Leicester can’t afford not to register those chances... #LEIMCI #EPL
— Siyabulela Star S’jekula (@starsiyolo) February 22, 2020
Vardy has Fernandinho’s number #LEIMCI
— SANE ME A RIVER (@gamebred56u) February 22, 2020
Player Ratings
Starting XI: Schmeichel (8); Pereira (6), Evans (7), Soyuncu (6), Fuchs (6), Chilwell (6); Praet (6), Tielemans (6), Maddison (8), Iheanacho (7), Vardy (5)
Substitutes: Barnes (6), James (N/A), Perez (N/A)
James Maddison
Maddison was sensational throughout the clash, posing a real threat time and time again. Whenever the Englishman received the ball, his first thought was to be positive, constantly looking to get his attackers in behind.
The Leicester man played a delightful ball through to Iheanacho early on before sending Vardy through on goal, but both players missed their chances. However, Maddison continued to be at the heart of everything good for the Foxes, with the midfielder playing penetrating passes through the heart of the opposition's defence. An excellent performance from him.
MANCHESTER CITY
Key Talking Point
City face a trip to take on Real Madrid in a colossal Champions League clash in midweek, but instead of resting some key players ahead of the last 16 tie, Guardiola opted to go with a full strength lineup. It was a clear statement of intent.
However, they began the game slowly, with a number of players making sloppy mistakes. This failure to retain possession in the early stages allowed the hosts the chance to get forward and put pressure on them. The Foxes created a number of openings early on and the Sky Blues were perhaps fortunate not to have conceded.
Pep Guardiola was visibly irate on the sidelines, screaming and gesticulating as he attempted to instruct his players. And while the Citizens missed from the spot again - something that will certainly worry the manager - they were able to find a winner. It was certainly not a vintage display, but in the end, it was an effective one.
Sloppy and poor.
— Kelvin Tush (@Kelvinmutunga17) February 22, 2020
@ManCity JUST LET @edersonmoraes93 TAKE PENALTIES FFS! #ManCity #LEIMCI
— Thomas Briggs (@thomasbriggs23) February 22, 2020
Player Ratings
Starting XI: Ederson (6); Walker (6), Laporte (4); Fernandinho (7), Mendy (5); Rodri (6), Gundogan (5), De Bruyne (8*); Mahrez (6), Bernardo (6), Aguero (5)
Substitution: Otamendi (6), Jesus (7),
Kevin de Bruyne
City were certainly not at their best, but Kevin de Bruyne, like Maddison, dictated the the game for his side. His vision and range of passing is world class, playing through balls that no other player could see.
The Belgium international continued to probe throughout the game and he forced the Leicester shot-stopper into an excellent save early in the second half. De Bruyne is a stunning talent and although he was not at his sparkling best, it was still another masterful display.
Kevin De Bruyne is the king of passing #LEIMCI
— Trey Jensen (@Treyjnsn) February 22, 2020
Looking Ahead
Leicester next travel to take on Norwich City on Friday before hosting Birmingham in the FA Cup the following Wednesday
Manchester City, meanwhile, next travel to take on Real Madrid in the first leg of their last 16 Champions League tie.
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Source : 90min