Leicester City vs. Man City:Premier League result
KING POWER STADIUM, LEICESTER — halted a five-match winless run with a battling and often fortuitous 2-0 triumph at .
The frailties that meant Pep Guardiola’s reigning champions headed into this match on a dismal trot of one win in 13 across all competitions were again on display, most notably as Leicester repeatedly cut through a flimsy press and vacant midfield, during the first half.
But the lack of cutting edge that has similarly afflicted City over the past couple of months was not a problem in the East Midlands. Savinho scored a long-awaited first goal for the club since his summer move from Troyes in the 21st minute.
It was even more of a slog in the second half for English football’s dominant force of recent years, who were in the rare position of being restricted to 33% of possession in the period between the restart, and Erling Haaland headed home his 14th goal of the season from Savinho’s cross to seal the points.
City started with a flicker of their old swagger as Haaland forced Jakub Stolarczyk into a sharp save from Kevin De Bruyne’s volleyed cross.
But a 10th-minute incident seemed to drain City’s heavily diluted self-belief. Jamie Vardy sprung into the box and was brought down by Stefan Ortega. An offside flag meant an obvious penalty concession was averted as Guardiola’s men struggled to recover their poise.
As such, the breakthrough came against the run of play, Phil Foden moved smartly to get off a snap shot from Rico Lewis’ pass. Stolarczyk saved, but could only push the ball out to the on-rushing Savinho, who clattered home a high finish from a tight angle.
Leicester grew into the contest, and caused increasing panic in a visiting defence, that was manfully marshalled by Nathan Ake. In contrast to the ice-cool Dutchman, Josko Gvardiol was shockingly accident-prone as half-time approached and his botched aerial clearance led to Facundo Buonanotte heading against the post.
City were late out for the second period, but Guardiola’s words of wisdom did little to stem the tide. Manuel Akanji cleared off the line to deny James Justin before Vardy wasted a glorious close-range opportunity.
The veteran striker would rue that profligacy in the final 20 minutes as Guardiola’s side finally strung together a second-half attack with conviction. The criminally under-used England U21 playmaker James McAtee, on for Foden, started it with some wonderfully smart play on the right. De Bruyne worked the ball to Savinho, who crossed for Haaland to thump in a header at the back post.
A much-needed 14th Premier League goal of the season for the big Norwegian and a much-needed three points for City. But perhaps it’s McAtee, brimming with confidence, and Savinho after a breakthrough afternoon who can give them a route out of the darkness.