Manchester City recorded their second Premier League victory since October following a narrow 2-0 victory over Leicester City inspired by a first goal for the club from Savinho and a late strike from Erling Haaland.
Trailing league leaders by 14 points, Pep Guardiola’s side began with intent. Erling Haaland tested Jakub Stolarczyk early, while Stefan Ortega denied Jamie Vardy at the other end. City finally broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute when Savinho smashed home from close range after Phil Foden’s shot was parried by Stolarczyk. It was a memorable first goal for the Brazilian as the visitors looked to regain form.
Leicester responded well, though – Facundo Buonanotte headed against the post while Bilal El Khannouss and James Justin went close in a real game of cat and mouse after the break. Yet all that profligacy proved costly. Vardy then blew a gilt-edged chance to level, lifting over from close range.
City capitalized in the 74th minute when Haaland headed in Savinho’s precise cross, sealing the win and sending away supporters into raptures. The result ends City’s five-match winless streak on the road and compounds Leicester’s woes under Ruud van Nistelrooy, who suffered a fourth consecutive defeat.
