Leicester City 0-2 Manchester City: Savinho and Haaland net as Guardiola wins 500th game

Savinho and Erling Haaland scored the goals as Manchester City got back to winning ways in the Premier League with a 2-0 victory at Leicester City.

In Pep Guardiola’s 500th game in charge of the club, the visitors stuttered and staggered for much of Sunday’s contest, but ultimately got over the line at the King Power Stadium.

Savinho arrowed in his first goal for the club in the 21st minute, pouncing on a rebound after Leicester’s stand-in goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk failed to hold Phil Foden’s strike.

The Brazilian then turned provider for Haaland to head in a decisive second with 16 minutes remaining, delivering an excellent cross for the Norwegian to nod back across goal and in.

Leicester had their chances against a vulnerable-looking City defence, with Jamie Vardy slicing over from their best opportunity, and their profligacy was punished.

Ruud van Nistelrooy’s team stay 18th in the table, while City move to within four points of fourth-placed Chelsea, who face Ipswich Town on Monday.

Incredible support today pic.twitter.com/IOmKBsaWAw

— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 29, 2024

Data Debrief: Haaland and Savinho find form

Haaland’s performances have come in for criticism in recent weeks, but he got the clinching goal with City’s first shot of the second half, after they had survived a wave of pressure.

The Norwegian now has 13 goals in 10 Premier League appearances against sides starting the day in the relegation zone, and three in two games versus Leicester.

His header was teed up by a fine cross from Savinho, whose earlier goal was his first in the Premier League, with his 28th shot since arriving in pre-season.

Going into this game, Savinho had attempted the most shots without netting in the competition this season, with 27.