Man City vs Leicester LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction today
Follow all the fallout from the Etihad Stadium
Manchester City host Leicester City at the Etihad Stadium this afternoon as part of the Premier League’s Boxing Day action.
With Covid hitting the schedule hard, Brendan Rodgers’ side face an uphill task to stop the defending champions.
With Pep Guardiola’s side hitting top form and with the opportunity to move six points clear at the top of the table, the Foxes will need to show immense character after a crushing penalty shoot-out loss to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup. Leicester are ninth in the table and can close the gap on those above them in the European spots, with Tottenham in seventh just four points ahead.
City can make it eight straight domestic wins today as both Liverpool and Chelsea struggle to keep pace, with Bernardo Silva in scintillating form after inspiring another dominant win last time out against Newcastle. Guardiola has also urged supporters to continue doing their bit to ensure games do not return to behind closed doors, while also helping to ensure society is as safe as possible: “I want to trust the people who know and they say this is the safest way – take a vaccine. People don’t die when they take a vaccine. Wearing a mask is so important, like social distancing and hand sanitisers, so let’s try to do it. Otherwise, it may (come back) again and again and again.”
Follow all the post-match reaction from the Etihad Stadium and re-live goal updates from a Boxing Day thriller:
Penalty to Chelsea!
Aston Villa 1 - 2 Chelsea
90+2 mins: Late drama! Romelu Lukaku is sent free on the counter-attack. He takes the ball around Matt Targett and drives into the box. Ezri Konsa scrambles back and slides at the Chelsea striker. He takes the legs out from under Lukaku and it’s another clear penalty for the Blues!
Aston Villa 1 - 2 Chelsea
90 mins: Save! Callum Hudson-Odoi drifts into space on the left side of the Villa box as the ball comes over to him. He guides it towards the bottom corner but Martinez dives across clings on to the ball!
At the other end Bertrant Traore then runs along the front edge of the penalty area and lets fly with a right-footed effort but his shot gets blocked in the box.
Four minutes of added time to play. Plenty of time for some late drama.
Aston Villa 1 - 2 Chelsea
87 mins: Mount swings a corner into the Villa box but Mings confidently heads the ball clear and finds Traore with his clearance. Traore turns towards goal and threatens to counter. He’s on his own though and decides to hold up the ball instead and wait for reinforcements.
Aston Villa 1 - 2 Chelsea
84 mins: The game has turned again as Chelsea have wrestled back control of the ball. They’re forcing Villa deep into their own half but are taking time to build up their attack. The cross comes into the box from Alonso and is directed towards Pulisic arriving at the back post from the right. Targett manages to get infront of though and heads the ball away.
Aston Villa 1 - 2 Chelsea
81 mins: Jacob Ramsey brings the ball down the left wing and leaves it for Targett. He threads a nicely weighted pass into the box for El Ghazi who rolls away from James and hits a low effort straight at Mendy who keeps it out without too much trouble.
Aston Villa 1 - 2 Chelsea
78 mins: Aston Villa make their last change as Anwar El Ghazi replaces Morgan Sanson.
Chukwuemeka attempts to squeeze in behind Christensen on the right wing but he runs into a narrow gap and the Chelsea defender forces him out of play.
Aston Villa 1 - 2 Chelsea
75 mins: Immediate impact from Traore who calls a the ball from an Aston Villa free kick. He gets it and plays Cash into the byline on the right side. Cash cuts the ball back into the box but can’t pick out a teammate and Christensen clears the danger for Chelsea.
Aston Villa 1 - 2 Chelsea
72 mins: Aston Villa are digging in well. They’re enjoying a decent period of possession but aren’t threatening the goal. Danny Ings is replaced with the returning Bertrand Traore and Emi Buendia is replaced with Carney Chukwuemeka.
Aston Villa 1 - 2 Chelsea
68 mins: Cash and Alonso tussle as the Aston Villa full-back works his way down the right wing. He weaves around Alonso and looks to drive towards the box but the Chelsea man pulls him to the floor and collects a yellow card.
Douglas Luiz’s cross into the box is headed away by Chelsea and Morgan Sanson isn’t able to keep the attack going.
Aston Villa 1 - 2 Chelsea
65 mins: Reece James takes the free kick and hits his effort at goal high and wide.
Chance! Huge chance for Mason Mount to give put Chelsea further in front. A simple pass comes over the top and Mount is played in behind on the right side. Martinez comes out to beat him to the loose ball but Mount gets there first. He rolls it around the goalkeeper but fires his shot at the open goal wide of the near post!
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