Pep Guardiola celebrated his 500th game in charge of Manchester City with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium. Goals from Savinho and Erling Haaland secured only the defending champions’ second win in their last 10 Premier League matches, a run that has left them struggling to regain their usual dominance.
Despite the win, City remain in fifth place, 11 points behind league leaders Liverpool, who are set to play West Ham later on Sunday. Guardiola, enduring the most challenging spell of his managerial career, had vowed not to give up. However, his team looked vulnerable at times, with Leicester’s Jamie Vardy coming close twice and Facundo Buonanotte hitting the post for the Foxes.
City’s first breakthrough came in the 21st minute when Savinho, scoring his first goal for the club, found the back of the net. Leicester goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk had initially denied Erling Haaland and parried Phil Foden’s shot, but the ball fell to Savinho, who smashed it high into the net from six yards out.
Leicester, under the management of Ruud van Nistelrooy, showed flashes of their early-season promise despite their current struggles. Vardy had a golden opportunity in the first half after a mistake by City defender Josko Gvardiol, but goalkeeper Stefan Ortega made a crucial save. Moments later, Buonanotte’s header struck the post, denying Leicester a much-needed equaliser.
The second half saw the Foxes continue to test City’s shaky defense. James Justin came close to leveling the score, only for Manuel Akanji to make a vital clearance. Vardy had another chance late in the game, hitting the bar and later firing over from six yards out.
City’s nerves were finally settled in the 74th minute when Haaland headed in a cross from Savinho, sealing the win and extinguishing Leicester’s comeback hopes.
The defeat marks a fourth consecutive loss for Leicester and their fifth in seven matches since the sacking of Steve Cooper in November. Once showing promise under Van Nistelrooy, the Foxes are now in the relegation zone and facing a battle for survival.
For Guardiola and Manchester City, the win offers a glimmer of hope amid a challenging season. However, the team will need to rebuild confidence and consistency if they are to challenge for a top-four spot and revive their Premier League campaign.
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