2 days ago
4
English Premier League giants, Manchester City, returned to winning ways on Sunday after encountering Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.
The 2-0 win offered Pep Guardiola a much-needed boost in the ongoing Premier League campaign.
Naija News reports that this victory marks City’s only second victory in 14 matches.
Savinho and Erling Haaland found the net on either side of halftime, allowing City to break an eight-match winless streak in away games.
Despite the win, the performance did not reach the high standards that Guardiola’s team had established during their unprecedented run of four consecutive titles in the English top flight.
However, the exuberant celebration following Haaland’s header in the 74th minute underscored the importance of temporarily securing three points to alleviate their ongoing struggles.
This victory propels City to fifth place, yet they remain 11 points behind league leader Liverpool, who have two matches in hand.
Conversely, Leicester remains entrenched in the relegation zone following this defeat.
Guardiola made a single alteration from the 1-1 draw against Everton on Boxing Day, with Kevin De Bruyne stepping in for his fellow Belgian, Jeremy Doku.
De Bruyne’s ongoing fitness issues have contributed to City’s recent downturn, but he quickly demonstrated the impact he has been missing for much of the season.
Rico Lewis delivered a pass to De Bruyne, who deftly set up Haaland, although the latter’s low shot was expertly saved by Leicester’s substitute goalkeeper, Jakub Stolarczyk.
Leicester has suffered four consecutive losses after a promising start under Ruud van Nistelrooy.
The Foxes lamented their missed opportunities to capitalize on a City side that continues to exhibit a notable lack of confidence.
They posed a significant threat whenever the home team ventured into City’s half during the first period.
Jamie Vardy would likely have earned a penalty had he not been flagged offside before being fouled by Stefan Ortega. At the same time, James Justin’s header struck the post following a chaotic goalmouth situation.
Nevertheless, City managed to secure the vital opening goal in the 21st minute.
Stolarczyk could have performed better by deflecting Phil Foden’s long-range shot away from Savinho, who capitalized on the rebound to score his inaugural goal for City by sending the ball into the top of the net.
Opportunities continued to arise for Leicester at the beginning of the second half.
Justin had a chance to equalize, but his poorly executed shot from close range was cleared off the line by Manuel Akanji.
Vardy then faced a significant opportunity to level the score when he failed to convert Stephy Mavididi’s excellent in-swinging cross.
Nevertheless, City struck back with a decisive goal, ending the defending champions’ disappointing away streak.
This time, Savinho turned provider, delivering a cross that found Haaland, who emphatically scored his 19th goal of the season, thus breaking his four-match goal drought.
English (US) ·