Pep Guardiola, the Spanish manager of Manchester City, expressed relief after his team secured a 2-0 victory against Leicester City. This win marked only the second victory in 14 games for the struggling English champions. The goals by Savinho and Erling Haaland helped City end a run of eight winless away games. Despite the win, Guardiola acknowledged that the team’s performance did not meet their usual standards. The victory was crucial for City as they aimed to halt their slump and improve their mood going forward.
Although the victory lifted City to fifth place in the Premier League, they still trail leaders Liverpool by 11 points, with the Reds having played fewer games. Leicester, on the other hand, remains stuck in the bottom three after suffering their fourth consecutive defeat. Guardiola made only one change to the starting lineup, bringing in Kevin De Bruyne, who showcased the impact he can have on the team’s performance. City’s recent struggles have been partly attributed to De Bruyne’s fitness issues, and his presence was felt in the match against Leicester.
Leicester had opportunities to score throughout the game, with Jamie Vardy coming close to winning a penalty and James Justin hitting the post with a header. However, it was City who took the lead through Savinho’s goal in the first half. Leicester continued to push for an equalizer in the second half, but City’s defense held firm. Haaland sealed the victory for City with a powerful header, ending his own goal drought and securing the three points for the visitors. The win provided a much-needed boost for City as they look to bounce back in the new year.
Guardiola admitted that the team lacked energy to sustain a high level of performance for a full 90 minutes, highlighting the challenges they have faced during their recent slump. The victory against Leicester was a step in the right direction for City, but there is still work to be done to reach their previous heights. Guardiola emphasized the importance of the win for the team’s morale and expressed hope that the new year would bring positive changes for Manchester City. As they aim to climb back up the Premier League standings, Guardiola and his players are focused on regaining their form and challenging for the title once again.
