Manchester City marked Pep Guardiola's 500th match in charge with a vital 2-0 win over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, ending 2024 on a much-needed high after a challenging few months.
The opening 45 minutes was a largely end-to-end affair, with both teams squandering a number of superb goalscoring opportunities, but it was Man City that managed to capitalise on their chances as Savinho finally scored his first goal for the club, meaning Man City had taken the lead in back-to-back Premier League matches for the first time since September.
Leicester City would have already felt hard done by to find themselves one goal behind after a strong first-half performance, and their misery was compounded when Erling Haaland doubled Manchester City's lead with just 15 minutes remaining in a second half where the hosts dominated the proceedings and created many of the better opportunities.
The result means that Leicester City remain in 18th and in the relegation zone with just 14 points from the first 19 matches of the campaign, while Man City are into fifth as the table stands with 31 points from 19 games, with them also ending their eight-game winless streak away from home, dating back to a 2-1 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers in October.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
Leicester City will feel extremely unfortunate to have lost that game 2-0 after a performance that deserved much more against the champions, but a lack of quality ultimately cost the Foxes and leaves them remaining in the bottom three.
While the victory for Man City does mean they end 2024 on a high note, especially on Guardiola's 500th match in charge of the club, but it was far from a strong performance from the visitors.
They had less possession than their hosts, 46% to Leicester's 54%, and could have conceded numerous goals if the Foxes had shown any composure and quality in the final moment, yet another worrying sign of how far City's defensive stability has fallen in recent months.
LEICESTER CITY VS. MANCHESTER CITY HIGHLIGHTS
Savinho goal vs. Leicester City (21st min, Leicester City 0-1 Manchester City)
Savinho pounces and Man City lead! 💥 pic.twitter.com/k8pQmq3WkC
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 29, 2024
Man City have the lead, Savinho scores his first goal for Man City!
The visitors work the ball through the lines and to Phil Foden, with the midfielder taking a couple of quick touches before unleashing towards goal from distance.
Foden's shot bounces awkwardly in front of Jakub Stolarczyk, forcing the keeper to parry it, and the ball falls kindly for Savinho, who follows up and fires into the roof of the net.
Erling Haaland goal vs. Leicester City (74th min, Leicester City 0-2 Manchester City)
"The smile is back!" 😁
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 29, 2024
Erling Haaland makes it 2-0 to Manchester City! pic.twitter.com/RgWPjiw0mO
Haaland has doubled City's lead, surely that secures them all three points!
James McAtee pulls off a brilliant piece of skill to beat multiple players down Leicester's left, with the ball eventually being shifted to the opposite side to Savinho via Kevin De Bruyne.
Savinho clips a delightful cross towards the back post, where Haaland has positioned himself unmarked, and the striker makes no mistakes as he heads back across goal and into the far corner.
MAN OF THE MATCH - SAVINHO
© Imago
Savinho played a key part in Manchester City ending 2024 on a much-needed high as the Brazilian not only netted his first goal for the club, but also assisted Haaland's second with a superb cross.
The winger also made two key passes, as well as creating one big chance, and his combination play with the likes of De Bruyne, Haaland and Foden helped Man City break forward on numerous occasions.
McAtee also deserves a mention for his performance after coming off the bench with just 24 minutes remaining, with his beautiful bit of skill starting the move that culminated in Man City doubling their lead.
LEICESTER CITY VS. MANCHESTER CITY MATCH STATS
Possession: Leicester City 54%-46% Manchester City
Shots: Leicester City 12-14 Manchester City
Shots on target: Leicester City 3-5 Manchester City
Corners: Leicester City 3-4 Manchester City
Fouls: Leicester City 11-6 Manchester City
BEST STATS
500 - Pep Guardiola today becomes the first manager to take charge of a Premier League club 500 times in all competitions since David Moyes reached that figure for Everton in January 2013. Landmark. pic.twitter.com/KdjZ23YqKa
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 29, 2024
Before today, Savinho held the record for the most shots without scoring in the Premier League this season.
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) December 29, 2024
He doesn't hold that record anymore. 😀⚽️#LEIMCI pic.twitter.com/CZB1qM6bPy
Erling Haaland's game by numbers vs. Leicester:
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) December 29, 2024
100% aerial duels won (4/4)
30 touches
10 touches in opp. box
6 shots
6/8 duels won
3 shots on target
2/3 take-ons completed
2 chances created
1 goal
Back on the scoresheet. 🙌#LEICMI pic.twitter.com/oEz5yaalkI
WHAT NEXT?
Leicester City's difficult run of Premier League fixtures will continue into the new year as they travel to Villa Park to face Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon in their first outing of 2025.
Meanwhile, Manchester City will look to put the struggles they endured in the final months of 2024 further behind them as they kickstart the New Year against West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Ellis Stevens
