Manchester City bounced back from their recent struggles, securing a crucial 2-0 away victory over Leicester City in the 19th round of the English Premier League on Sunday.
Manchester City secured a much-needed 2-0 victory against Leicester City, with goals from Savinho in the 21st minute and Erling Haaland in the 74th. The win boosted City, temporarily lifting them to fifth place with 31 points as they closed out 2024 on a positive note. Meanwhile, Leicester remains in the relegation zone, sitting in 18th place with 14 points. Before today’s match, Manchester City had managed only one win in their last 12 games across all competitions.
Leicester City had the first opportunity to score through Mavididi, who attempted to curl the ball into the far right corner from the edge of the penalty area, but it went wide of the post.
Manchester City responded with their chance, as Haaland received a pass and fired a low shot, which was expertly saved by goalkeeper Stolarczyk.
City’s defence nearly put them in a difficult situation when Gvardiol attempted to head the ball back to Ortega, but Jamie Vardy intercepted the pass and fired a low shot, which Ortega was quick to block, preventing Leicester from capitalizing on the opportunity.
City took the lead in the 21st minute through Savinho, who capitalized on a rebound off Leicester’s goalkeeper, firing the ball directly into the net.
Haaland came close to doubling City’s advantage shortly after, meeting a cross with a header aimed at the center of the goal, but Leicester’s goalkeeper had no trouble stopping it.
The Norwegian striker threatened again, weaving past several defenders just outside the penalty area, and unleashing a powerful shot that narrowly missed the right post.
Leicester almost equalized when Buonanotti’s header struck the post, denying them a chance to level the score.
Both teams continued to press forward, though neither created any significant chances, and the first half ended with City leading 1-0.
Early in the second half, Leicester’s Buonanotti went down in the box following a challenge from Ake and appealed for a penalty. However, after a VAR review, the referee decided against awarding the spot-kick.
Leicester City ramped up their pressure in the second half, with Al-Khanous unleashing a shot from outside the penalty area, but it sailed over Ortega’s goal.
James Justin followed with a powerful strike from close range, aimed at the left corner, but a City defender managed to block it just in time.
Vardy nearly brought Leicester level when he latched onto a ball near the City goal, but his shot went high over the crossbar.
Haaland then extended Manchester City’s lead with a clinical header, rising to meet Savinho’s cross from the left and guiding the ball into the net.
The Norwegian forward came close to a second goal moments later, but his header was off target, missing to the right of the post.
Substitute McAtee also had a go with a brilliant shot from outside the box, trying to place it in the far left corner, but it sailed over Leicester’s goal.
The home side were denied a potential goal when Vardy’s header in the dying moments of the game hit the crossbar, preventing Leicester from narrowing the gap.
