Leicester vs Man City LIVE: Result and reaction as Haaland ends goal drought in vital City win
Leicester 0-2 Man City: Savinho and Haaland find the net as Pep Guardiola’s side are forced to work hard but notch just a second victory in 14 games
Manchester City ended their five-game winless run as Pep Guardiola celebrated victory in his 500th game in charge with a 2-0 success at Leicester City.
Savinho’s first-half goal and an Erling Haaland header after the break earned a much-needed three points for the faltering champions at the King Power Stadium.
It was just their second Premier League victory since the end of October, but the frailties of the last two months – where they lost nine of their previous 13 matches – were still on show.
Leicester provided a stern test and might feel they could have got something out of the match as Facundo Buonanotte hit the post and Jamie Vardy missed a key chance at 1-0 down. The Foxes have now lost four in a row and their bounce under new boss Ruud van Nistelrooy was restricted to two games as they remain in the relegation zone.
Relive all the action from the King Power Stadium in our live blog below:
Leicester 0-2 Man City
A much-needed win for Man City and very different post-match scenes to recent times
FULL-TIME! Leicester 0-2 Man City
Some final, post-match thoughts from Richard Jolly at the King Power.
Relief and respite for Pep Guardiola with a rarity: a win. City lacked conviction and relied on some fortune at the back. But in attack, two young wingers made the difference, Savinho with a goal and an assist, James McAtee with a cameo that led to Erling Haaland's header to complete the scoring. Leicester played better than the scoreline suggests, but it is now four defeats in a row for them.
FULL-TIME! Leicester 0-2 Man City
Not always convincing but my word, did Man City need that! Savinho with a goal and an assist, while Erling Haaalnd also ended his drought. A second win in 14 games does not a crisis end but a step in the right direction for Pep Guardiola and co. They at least end 2024 on a high.
Leicester 0-2 Man City, 90+3 mins
There hasn’t been much in this game and Leicester can consider themselves unlucky to be looking like losing this game by two goals. But Man City came up with a couple of moments that made the difference
CROSSBAR! Leicester 0-2 Man City, 89 mins
A looped Vardy header has Ortega scrambling but it clips the top of the bar and goes over.
Final Leicester change as Mavididi is off, with Will Alves on. City should see this out now as we enter five minutes of injury time.
CLOSE! Leicester 0-2 Man City, 84 mins
McAtee has looked sharp since he came on and he’s goes close as he shifts the ball to his left foot and curls a shot towards the top corner. It’s narrowly over the bar.
Double sub for Leicester as they try to get back in this as Coady and Winks go off, with Caleb Okoli and Patson Daka are on. Can they set up a grandstand finale at least?
Leicester 0-2 Man City, 79 mins
Ortega yellow carded for taking too long over a goal-kick. Given their form, Man City won’t be taking anything for granted but surely they’ve got enough to win this one now.
Leicester 0-2 Man City, 76 mins
Haaland now dinks a cross in to Savinho - the reverse of the link-up for the goal - but Choudhury just gets there first to concede a corner.
GOAL! Leicester 0-2 Man City (Erling Haaland, 74 mins)
It’s probably harsh on Leicester but Man City double their lead! A bit of quality form McAtee on the right to skip past a defender, he plays the ball infield to De Bruyne who eventually shifts it out to Savinho on the left.
The winger clips in a lovely cross and Erling Haaland rises highest to power home a header. A big smile on his face and he’s finally ended his goal drought!
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