Manchester City vs Leicester City: Four things we learned as Foxes continue stunning title tilt with City rout

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Leicester City's Riyad Mahrez celebrates his goal against Manchester City (Getty)

Leicester’s earthquake continues

This was perhaps the biggest match between these two famous old football clubs since the FA Cup final in 1969, when Neil Young, the epitome of a Manchester City legend, broke Leicester hearts at Wembley. The Foxes, historically speaking at least, aren’t very good at matches of this magnitude. The East Midlands outfit, who have never conquered the first division of English football, also hold the record of losing the most FA Cup finals (5).

This season, however, Leicester’s bubble, built on the boundless endeavour exuded effortlessly by Claudio Ranieri, remains intact. Emphatically so. There’s a word which has followed Leicester since their greatest of great escapes from relegation last season: fearless. Naturally it’s been hash-tagged and slapped across the King Power Stadium since, but its meaning shouldn’t be lost on anyone. The manner in which Riyad Mahrez galloped through the City defence, to score a stunning second for his side, suggested the Algerian has no doubt in his mind how far the fearless Foxes can go.

Schmeichel celebrates at full-time (Getty)

Schmeichel shines on first Etihad return

When your talents originate from the vintage stock of Peter Schmeichel, it is perhaps no surprise to find similarities being drawn. When the original is a five-time Premier League champion, however, nervous attempts at flattery by supporters can be interpreted as insults all too easily. The Dane is, after all, an international goalkeeper in his own right – and a 29-year-old husband, father of two.

Another comparison Kasper Schmeichel, now undoubtedly one of the best goalkeepers in European football, must endure is that old childhood duel with Joe Hart. The pair cut their teeth together at the City academy just after the turn of the millennium. But while Hart was representing England and winning Premier League titles, his former team-mate was working his way up through Notts County and Leeds United. Upon his first return to the place where it all started, Schmeichel delivered a display which puts him on the verge of a piece of glory of his very own.

Robert Huth's brace sent Leicester on their way (Getty)

A tale of two defences

In a rainy pocket of Manchester, one defence was dogmatic, ferocious and played like a unit who knew history was turning in their favour. Another resembled a clutch of amateurs and has-beens – which City most certainly are not. One wonders if Pep Guardiola, the Catalonian who will replace Manuel Pellegrini next season, was watching this afternoon. Given his studious nature he almost certainly was. It’s probably best we don’t consider his verdict too much, to save the blushes of his prospective players.

Meanwhile, Christian Fuchs and Danny Simpson (forgetting a late howler) gave Leicester an authoritative axis. Wes Morgan and brace-scoring Robert Huth, on the other hand, dived into every challenge with the sort of relish strikers feel after hitting the back of the net. It’s rare to find a side who seem to enjoy defending as much as attacking, shown by the typically low possession stats. Ranieri’s ‘Italian tactical way’ as he branded it in the summer, continues to pay dividends.

City fans leave the Etihad early (Getty)

City’s Etihad complex holding them back

Is there a fire drill? That was the sarcastic chant from the ecstatic visiting contingent as the Etihad emptied its banks with 15 minutes remaining. By the time Sergio Aguero had scored a consolation, it’s likely that over 10,000 fans were already filtering onto the A6010.

Despite allegations of being lured into supporting City by foreign billions, the vast majority of Eastlands regulars remember the days of their spell in the third tier. That makes the mood around the place at the Etihad all the more confusing. Amid the occasional rendition of Blue Moon, the tone was one of anxiety for much of the match. 54,693 crammed themselves in today, the biggest-ever attendance at the old City of Manchester Stadium. But it was the Leicester fans who made their presence felt.