Guardiola Marks 500th Game at Manchester City with Crucial 2-0 Victory over Leicester City
Pep Guardiola celebrated his milestone 500th game as Manchester City manager with a gritty 2-0 win over Leicester City at King Power Stadium. The victory lifted City back into the Premier League top five, ending a dismal run of just one win in their previous nine league outings. Meanwhile, Leicester’s struggles continued with their fourth consecutive defeat, leaving them languishing in the relegation zone.
Match Highlights
City’s nerves were calmed early in the first half when Savinho scored his first Premier League goal with a clinical rebound. Despite their lead, the visitors looked shaky, and Leicester came close to equalizing several times. Jamie Vardy’s strong penalty appeal was denied due to an offside call, and James Justin struck the post just before halftime.
Leicester pushed hard for a second-half equalizer, with Vardy missing a crucial chance from close range. However, City sealed the win in the 74th minute when Erling Haaland ended his goal drought by heading home Savinho’s pinpoint cross on the counterattack.
Despite the much-needed victory, Manchester City still seemed a shadow of the dominant team that Guardiola has shaped over the past 500 matches.
Key Match Events
0′- Kick-off: The game begins.
21′- GOAL! Savinho opens the scoring for Manchester City with a composed finish.
38′- So Close! James Justin’s header for Leicester rattles the post.
74′- GOAL! Erling Haaland heads in Savinho’s cross to double City’s lead.
90′- Vardy’s Header: Vardy’s late effort strikes the crossbar, denying Leicester a consolation goal.
Line-ups
Leicester XI: Vestergaard, Vardy, Coady, Winks, Mavididi, Justin, Soumaré, Stolarczyk, Kristiansen, El Khannouss, Buonanotte.
Man City XI: De Bruyne, Ortega, Kovacic, Ake, Bernardo, Akanji, Haaland, Foden, Gvardiol, Lewis, Savinho.