Leicester vs Manchester City Report
Scorers: Savinho 21’, Haaland 74’
Manchester City returned to winning ways on the road, earning their second Premier League victory since October with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Leicester City.
A debut goal for Savinho and Erling Haaland’s 17th league strike of the season ensured Pep Guardiola’s side ended 2024 on a high.
First Half: Savinho Breaks the Deadlock
City entered the game knowing they needed a result to narrow the gap on the league leaders, and they started brightly. Erling Haaland saw an early effort saved by Jakub Stolarczyk, and City’s high tempo soon bore fruit.
In the 20th minute, Savinho reacted quickest to a parried Phil Foden shot, firing home from close range to score his first goal for the club and give the visitors a deserved lead.
Leicester, despite their struggles, showed resilience and nearly equalised when Facundo Buonanotte’s header struck the post. However, Guardiola’s men maintained control for much of the half, with Haaland coming close to doubling the lead after a dazzling solo run.
Second Half: Haaland Seals the Points
Leicester began the second half with renewed intent, as Bilal El Khannouss curled narrowly over and James Justin had his flick cleared off the line by Manuel Akanji.
The hosts’ best chance fell to Jamie Vardy, who lifted a gilt-edged opportunity over the bar from six yards out – a miss that would prove pivotal.
City capitalised on Leicester’s wastefulness in the 74th minute, with Haaland converting a pinpoint cross from Savinho to double their advantage.
The Norwegian’s header into the far corner extinguished Leicester’s hopes of a comeback and sparked jubilant celebrations among the traveling supporters.
From there, City managed the game expertly, securing their first away league win in six matches and easing some of the pressure on Guardiola after a challenging few months.
What This Means
- Manchester City: The win lifts City to fifth place, keeping them in contention for a Champions League spot despite their earlier struggles. Guardiola will hope this victory can spark a sustained run of form in 2025.
- Leicester City: Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side remain in the relegation zone, with a fourth consecutive defeat compounding their woes. Defensive frailties and missed chances continue to haunt the Foxes as they battle to avoid the drop.
Next Fixtures
- Manchester City: Host Wolves in their first fixture of the New Year.
- Leicester City: Travel to Brighton for a crucial relegation six-pointer.
While City take a step in the right direction, Leicester’s slump continues, leaving them with plenty to ponder heading into the second half of the season.
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Leicester v Man City, 2024/25 | Premier League