Leicester City 0-2 Manchester City: Savinho inspires much-needed ...

Manchester City beat Leicester City 2-0 at the King Power Stadium to get back to winning ways in the Premier League.

Relief was the main emotion Pep Guardiola and his players felt at full time.

MORE – Watch full replay

Savinho put Man City ahead early but Leicester were in the game and hit the post, had big chances and then Erling Haaland pounced late on to secure all three points for City.

With the win Man City move on to 31 points and are in the top four hunt. Leicester remain on 14 points and in the relegation zone.

Small signs that Manchester City could be back soon

Manchester City were hardly back to their best at Leicester but Pep Guardiola’s side showed signs they are getting there. They started quickly and Savinho deservedly put them ahead, while there was better zip and intent in their play when they went forward. There was still plenty of suspect defending, especially when being opened up on the counter, as Leicester created some big chances and should have made it 1-1 before City scored their second. But they hung in there and got the job done. A win at relegation-haunted Leicester isn’t going to make the headlines but there was enough quality from Savinho, Foden, De Bruyne and then Haaland in attack to get the job done. City’s shutout will be celebrated, even if they rode their luck, and this win will give them confidence they can start stringing together wins to get back into the top four. Guardiola looked relieved rather than delighted at the final whistle. He knows City have a long way to go to get back to their best consistently but there were flashes of brilliance at Leicester. That will give him hope.

Leicester City vs Manchester City player ratings (via FotMob.com)

What’s next?

Leicester head to Aston Villa on Saturday, January 4. Manchester City host West Ham on the same day.

Leicester City vs Manchester City score: 0-2

Savinho 21', Haaland 74'

Leicester City vs Manchester City! — By Joe Prince-Wright

Haaland heads home — Leicester 0-2 Manchester City

James McAtee with some lovely play down the right and he finds De Bruyne who finds Savinho. His perfect cross finds Haaland who sends a towering head home. Game. Set. Match.

Vardy should make it 1-1

Mavididi whips in a brilliant cross and Vardy flicks it over Ortega... but also over the bar. Vardy got too much on it. He’s so angry with himself. That was an easy finish for him.

Man City clear it off the line!

A free kick is whipped in to the back post, Vardy heads it back in and Justin’s flick is going in but Akanji clears it off the line. It is all Leicester now! Just over 30 minutes to go.

It’s all Leicester in the second half so far, but Man City have a chance

The Foxes are well on top and Man City can’t get out of their own half so far in this second half. But they do break and a cross into the box is shanked over his own crossbar by Vestergaard. Close to a second for City.

Half time: Leicester City 0-1 Manchester City

Man City created some good chances and Savinho finished well, but Leicester are in this. They’ve hit the post and caused some problems with counters and crosses into the box. Big second half coming up for Pep Guardiola’s side as they look to close this out and get back to winning ways.

Buonanotte hits the post!

The ball is bouncing around as Leicester whip it in and it drops to Facundo Buonanotte who puts his header against the post.

Haaland should score after a mazy run

Erling Haaland dribbles past multiple challenges but then scuffs his shot wide when he should hit the target. You would expect him to score there.

Savinho scores his first Man City goal! — Leicester City 0-1 Manchester City

Foden’s shot from distance is pushed out by Stolarcyzk but it’s towards Savinho and he finishes well from a tight angle. Ironic chants of “City’s staying up!” from the Man City fans in the away end. They’re ahead and deserve it after their fast start.

Vardy denied by Ortega

Jamie Vardy is sniffing around and almost makes the most of a loose ball. Ortega denies him from a tight angle but that is a warning for Man City.

Oh my, Leicester break and Vardy is taken out by Ortega in the box... but he’s offside

Leicester get themselves out of trouble well with a few passes and launch a counter. Vardy is played through and he rounds Ortega who catches him in the penalty box... but the offside is flag and saves Man City. Very promising signs for Leicester on the break.

Stolarcyzk denies Haaland superbly

Wonderful play from Man City as the ball finds De Bruyne on the right and he cuts it back perfectly for Erling Haaland. His shot is on target but Stolarcyzk saves well with his feet. What a move from Man City. That is much more like them.

Mavididi curls just wide

First glance at goal for Leicester! The ball is worked out to the left and Mavididi does well to cut inside but his curler is just wide of the far post. That has got the home fans going. Creating chances on the counter is exactly what the Foxes are all about and that is how they will get some joy today.

De Bruyne smashes over

Some decent build-up play by Man City and the ball finds De Bruyne on the edge of the box but he smashes way over. You would expect better from him. He’s back fit and is the captain today. Boy, do City need him to regain his fitness and form...

Savinho looks sharp early on

Lovely play from the Brazilian to cut in from the left but he overruns the ball at the crucial moment. Still, he and City both look sharp early on.

Leicester City lineup

Stolarcyzk; Justin, Coady, Vestergaard, Kristiansen; Winks, Soumare; El Khannouss, Buonanotte, Mavididi; Vardy

Manchester City lineup

Ortega; Lewis, Akanji, Ake, Gvardiol; Kovacic, De Bruyne, Bernardo; Foden, Haaland, Savinho

Leicester City team news, focus

OUT: Mads Hermansen (groin), Jordan Ayew (suspension), Wilfred Ndidi (thigh), Ricardo Pereira (thigh), Abdul Fatawu (knee - out for season) | QUESTIONABLE: Jamie Vardy (knock), Wout Faes (undisclosed), Kasey McAteer (knock)

Manchester City team news, focus

OUT: John Stones (foot), Ruben Dias (muscular), Rodri (knee - out for season), Oscar Bobb (lower leg) | QUESTIONABLE: Ederson (undisclosed), Matheus Nunes (knock), Kyle Walker (illness), Jack Grealish (muscular)

Leicester City vs Manchester City prediction

The slide stops here? No offense to Ruud van Nistelrooy, but City was nearly 2 xG better than Everton and missed a penalty in their latest draw, while the Foxes have only produced a combined 1.20 xG over their three-game losing streak. Leicester City 0-3 Manchester City