Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne fire Manchester City eight points clear at top of table
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ByEurosport
Updated 20/11/2017 at 07:48 GMT
Premier League - Leicester 0 Manchester City 2 (Jesus 45, De Bruyne 49)
Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus celebrates scoring their first goal with David Silva
Image credit: Reuters
Manchester City have moved eight points clear at the top of the table courtesy of a dominant 2-0 win over Leicester at the King Power Stadium.
Goals in either side of half-time from Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne kept the Citizens on course for a first Premier League title since 2014 with a 10th straight win.
The visitors were limited to half chances throughout a tight first period by an industrious Leicester, but on the stroke of half-time they conjured up a fine free-flowing move completed by Jesus who was teed up by an unselfish David Silva as the Brazilian slotted in to an empty net.
Leicester were presented with a glorious opportunity to level the scores when Harry Maguire poked the ball at the post just after the restart. And from that passage of play City launched an immediate counter-attack as De Bruyne released Leroy Sane who held the ball up long enough for the Belgian to arrive and he unleashed a venomous shot from 25 yards to double his side’s lead in devastating style.
The game may have been played in a different manner had Vincent Kompany been sent off after only three minutes, though. The Belgian was a surprise inclusion in Man City’s defence with the skipper making his first start since August, but he was fortunate not to be shown a straight red for taking down Jamie Vardy who was racing clear on goal. The win did come at a cost as John Stones – who has played a pivotal part in City’s success this season – limped off after half an hour with a hamstring problem.
TALKING POINT
City coast past Foxes, but injury to Stones is sting in tail - John Stones has been an ever-present in Man City's defence, filling the void left by the injury prone Vincent Kompany. City have conceded only a handful of goals with the England international at the heart of defence - but how will Pep Guardiola's side cope without the influential 26-year-old? He could be out for sometime.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Kevin De Bruyne (Man City) - The Belgian has been keen to dismiss comparisons to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo recently, but it could be argued that he is better than both players at the moment. He produced yet another thrilling performance and capped it with a wonderful goal.
PLAYER RATINGS
Leicester: Schmeichel 7, Simpson 7, Morgan 6, Maguire 6, Fuchs 6, Ndidi 6, Iborra 6, Gray 6, Albrighton 6, Mahrez 6, Vardy 6. Subs: Iheanacho 5, Slimani 5, Okazaki 5.
Man City: Ederson 7, Walker 6, Stones 5, Kompany 6, Delph 7, De Bruyne 8, Fernandinho 7, Silva 7, Sterling 7, Jesus 7, Sane 7. Subs: Gundogan 5, Mangala 6, Bernardo Silva 5.
KEY MOMENTS
3’ - CONTROVERSY! Vardy is released behind the City defence, but is clipped by Kompany who is extremely fortunate to be shown only a yellow card. Puel isn't happy - he wanted a red. Was he the last man?
22’ - CLOSE! Sane has two players to pick out in the middle, but he gets too much pace on his cross and the ball just evades Sterling at the back post. All it needed was a touch!
45’ - GOAL! MAN CITY TAKE THE LEAD! This is more like it from Pep's free-scoring charges. Sterling plays a one-two with De Bruyne before releasing Silva inside the box. The Spaniard unselfishly squares the ball to Jesus who is left with a simple tap-in. Vintage City.
48' - CLOSE! Ederson palms the free-kick into the path of Maguire who pokes the ball straight at the post. So close to an equaliser!
49’ - GOAL! DE BRUYNE SCORES FOR MAN CITY! Oh my, Man City score a wonderful goal on the counter! De Bruyne releases Sane on the left flank and the Belgian then busts a gut to latch onto the return pass. He takes a touch and unleashes a venomous shot into the top corner from the edge of the box.
KEY STATS
- Kevin De Bruyne has now had a hand in 50 Premier League goals (16 goals, 34 assists). He has done this in 76 Premier League appearances, which is the quickest by any out-and-out midfielder in the history of the competition.
- Gabriel Jesus has been directly involved in 20 goals in his 21 Premier League appearances (15 goals, five assists).
- Manchester City won 10 successive league matches in the same season for the first time.
- Manchester City's total of 34 points combined with their +34 goal difference is the best start by a Premier League side after 12 games.
- Pep Guardiola's side are unbeaten in 24 matches in all competitions since a 2-1 defeat against Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final last April.
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