goal.com

Goals from the German defender and Riyad Mahrez saw Claudio Ranieri's side send out a title message to their rivals with an emphatic victory at the Etihad Stadium

Leicester City took a significant step in their sensational bid for the Premier League title with a ruthless 3-1 win at Manchester City.

The home team were favourites to replace Leicester at the summit at kick-off, ambitions that were soon dented when Robert Huth handed Leicester a second-minute lead at the Etihad Stadium.

Huth then led an impeccable defensive display as Manuel Pellegrini's team had little to show for sustained periods of possession, while appearing vulnerable to their opponents' counter-attack.

Much of the pre-match talk from the Manchester City camp revolved around the desire to give Pellegrini a glorious send-off following confirmation that Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola will take his job from next season.

Their deeds on the pitch comprehensively failed to measure up, though, and Leicester exploited them mercilessly.

Riyad Mahrez danced through a shambling defence to brilliantly score his 14th Premier League goal of the season before Huth headed his second, with Sergio Aguero's strike coming too late to deny Leicester a six-point advantage at the top.

Boss Claudio Ranieri told television reporters before the match that Manchester City "have to win; we have to play" and his side began with freedom and confidence to startle their hosts.

N'Golo Kante burst through a flimsy challenge from Yaya Toure and, when Leicester worked possession wide, Mahrez skipped around left-back Aleksandar Kolarov to win a free-kick.

From Mahrez's delivery, Martin Demichelis allowed Huth to muscle in front of him and bundle the ball into the net.

Premier League top scorer Jamie Vardy raced through the home defence to call Joe Hart into action.

The England goalkeeper was also forced to race out in the 11th minute to deny Danny Drinkwater on the break as Leicester settled into the clinical counter-attacking style.

David Silva manoeuvred into space inside the Leicester box and shot wide, but there were further concerns for Pellegrini in the 20th minute when Vardy sped past Nicolas Otamendi and Shinji Okazaki just failed to convert his low cross.

Huth got his body in the way of Kolarov's free-kick after Christian Fuchs fouled Pablo Zabaleta perilously close to the right-hand edge of the area.

The towering German defender then prevented Aguero from getting on the end of Raheem Sterling's looping cross and the striker thudded a shot into Kasper Schmeichel, as City upped their pressure but failed to find a way through before half-time.

Inexcusably, the hosts resumed in the sloppy fashion they had started and Mahrez punished them with a dazzling second.

The excellent Kante drove the latest break and fed the winger to dance around Otamendi's reckless lunge and ease past Demichelis to finish emphatically.

Pellegrini responded with a double change, a folorn Toure and Fabian Delph making way for Kelechi Iheanacho and Fernando – the latter almost pulling a goal back when Schmeichel superbly saved his header from Silva's corner.

But a set-piece at the other end left City further in the mire, Huth heading a second after an hour despite strong suspicions of a foul on Demichelis.

Hart again denied the tireless Vardy, who blasted into the side-netting in the 81st minute, as the swagger in Leicester's play piled embarrassment onto a dishevelled City.

They pulled one back when Aguero guided a cross from Premier League debutant substitute Bersant Celina past Schmeichel and the Argentina star almost capitalised on a poor backpass from Danny Simpson to further reduce the deficit. 

But a late route back into the match would have been scarcely deserved for Pellegrini's men, who could conclude the weekend in fourth place.

•  

   

  The referee blows his whistle for the final time, and Leicester have picked up arguably their biggest and best win of the season! They were excellent from start to finish, with their well-organised back four putting in a particularly strong shift as they did well to largely contain Aguero. The Argentine was finally able to find the back of the net late on but it was too little, too late, meaning that the Foxes move six points clear at the top of the table and are surely now one of the favourites to pick up the Premier League title.
•  

   

  FULL-TIME: MANCHESTER CITY 1-3 LEICESTER CITY
• 90'+5'

   

  Huth throws his body in the way of a thumping shot from Zabaleta, sending it looping out of play for a corner. The set-piece is sent into the middle of the box, where it finds Demichelis, but the centre-back can only send his headed effort flying a few yards wide of the near post.
• 90'+4'

   

  Fernandinho gets himself into a great position on the right flank before sending a teasing cross over to the far post, but it's slightly overhit and fails to find the outstretched foot of Sterling after looping just over the outstretched fingertips of Hart.
• 90'+2'

   

  Manchester City quickly work the ball around deep inside the Leicester half of the pitch as they desperately try to find a second goal that would make the end of the game an incredibly nervy one, but a promising attacking move is brought to a disappointing end by Fernandinho, who fires his 20-yard strike well over the top of the crossbar.
• 90'

   

  The fourth official has indicated that there will be four minutes of added time.
• 89'

   

  Almost a terrible mistake by Simpson! The full-back sends an absolutely awful attempted back-pass towards Schmeichel that is cut out by Aguero deep inside the Leicester penalty area. The Argentine only has the goalkeeper to beat, but after rounding him he can only send his close-range strike into the side-netting.
• 87'

   

   

   

  Goal Sergio Leonel Agüero del Castillo
  GOAL! Manchester City have pulled one back! A looping cross from the right flank is deflected off the chest of Schmeichel and out of play for a corner, which Celina then sends into the box. It's half dealt with by the Leicester defence but the youngster is able to send a follow-up back towards the near post, where Aguero rises high to beat Schmeichel with a well-placed header. Game on?
• 87'

   

  Assist Bersant Celina
  Assist Bersant Celina
• 85'

   

  SubstitutionMarc Albrighton Nathan Dyer
  Leicester have made their final change, with Dyer coming on to take the place of Albrighton.
• 83'

   

  It's all Manchester City at the moment as they try to do all they can to find a way back into the game, but Leicester are still finding it easy to deal with the hosts, who have had a very poor afternoon, particularly when attacking.
• 81'

   

  SubstitutionShinji Okazaki José Leonardo Ulloa
  Okazaki receives a round of applause from the Leicester fans as he makes his way off the pitch to be replaced by Ulloa.
• 80'

   

  What an opportunity for Vardy to make it 4-0! This time it's Albrighton who's left in too much space on the left flank, allowing him to steady himself before picking out the aforementioned striker with a lovely low cross. Leicester's top goalscorer meets it well before unleashing a first-time shot, but his strike flies past the near post and into the side-netting.
• 79'

   

  Drinkwater picks up the ball in acres of space on the right wing and curls a dangerous cross into the Manchester City penalty area and towards Okazaki, but Demichelis is just about able to dive in front of the ball to stop it from finding the Japan international.
• 77'

   

  SubstitutionRiyad Mahrez Demarai Gray
  Meanwhile, Leicester have replaced Mahrez with Gray for the final 13 minutes.
• 77'

   

  SubstitutionDavid Josué Jiménez Silva Bersant Celina
  Manchester City have made their final alteration of the game, with Silva making way for Celina, who comes on to make his Premier League debut.
• 75'

   

  Kolarov breaks down the left wing on a marauding run before trying to curl a cross into the heart of the Leicester box, but once again it's poorly hit and fails to trouble the visitors' back line, resulting in groans of frustration coming from the home fans.
• 73'

   

  A looping cross from Mahrez is headed out of play for a corner by Zabaleta, and Leicester decide to send it short to Fuchs. The full-back then whips a lovely ball into the box, where it finds Vardy, but the striker can't get enough power behind his header and it ends up bouncing well wide of the Manchester City goal.
• 71'

   

  Yellow Card Fernando Francisco Reges
  Leicester win themselves a free-kick in the middle of the pitch and try to take it quickly, but Fernando prevents them from doing so and, as a result, is shown a yellow card.
• 69'

   

  Yellow Card Pablo Javier Zabaleta Girod
  Okazaki cuts inside from the left wing and is immediately fouled by Zabaleta, resulting in a free-kick for Leicester on the edge of the box and a yellow card for the Argentine. Fuchs sends the set-piece towards the penalty spot, but Huth ends up fouling Demichelis just as he's about to make contact with the ball.
• 68'

   

  Vardy almost makes it 4-0! Drinkwater picks up the ball near the halfway line and immediately sends a fantastic lofted pass over the top of the Manchester City defence and into the path of the England international. He brings it down brilliantly and heads into the box before testing Hart from close range, but the goalkeeper does wonderfully well to make his body big to stop the effort from finding the back of the net.
• 66'

   

  Once again, Sterling gets himself into a good position down the left wing before trying to pick out Aguero with a curling cross, but it's completely mishit and ends up sailing harmlessly out of play for a goal-kick, much to the annoyance of his teammates.
• 64'

   

  Vardy picks up the ball on the edge of the Manchester City penalty area and spins quickly before teeing up Albrighton. The winger then sends a looping cross into the middle of the box, where Okazaki is waiting, but his attempted pass ends up missing the striker before sailing into the hands of Hart.
• 62'

   

  Is there any way back for Manchester City? That third goal seems to have left the hosts looking incredibly dejected, and even with half an hour left to play it looks increasingly unlikely that they are going to be able to pull off what, under the circumstances, would be an excellent comeback.
• 60'

   

  Assist Christian Fuchs
  That was a lovely cross by Fuchs, who did well to pick out Huth with perfection, but questions have to be asked of the Manchester City defenders, who didn't do well enough to contain the German centre-back.
• 60'

   

   

   

  Goal Robert Huth
  GOAL! It's 3-0! Leicester come back once again, with Vardy doing wonderfully well to penetrate the left-hand side of the penalty area before firing a low cross off Otamendi and out for a corner. The resulting set-piece is thumped into the middle of the box, where Huth comfortably rises high above Demichelis before sending a looping header over Hart and into the back of the net. The Foxes are in dreamland!
• 58'

   

  Albrighton is brought down by Zabaleta on the left flank, and Leicester are awarded a free-kick as a result. It's flung into the middle of the penalty area, where Huth and Simpson are both waiting, but Hart is there to punch the ball away from danger at the vital moment.
• 56'

   

  It's all Manchester City at the moment as they continue to put the Leicester defence under pressure, but, as has been the case for the vast majority of the afternoon thus far, their final passes are letting them down. Both Sterling and Kolarov are seeing a lot of the ball but are failing to do much with it when in dangerous positions.
• 54'

   

  Excellent save by Schmeichel! Manchester City earn themselves a corner on the right flank, which is curled into the heart of the penalty area. It finds Fernando, who is left completely unmarked by the Leicester defenders, but his bullet header is deflected away from danger by the outstretched foot of the Danish goalkeeper. What a chance that was for the recently introduced Brazilian!
• 52'

   

  SubstitutionFabian Delph Kelechi Promise Iheanacho
  Meanwhile, Iheanacho has come on to replace Delph, who has also failed to contain Leicester today.
• 52'

   

  SubstitutionGnégnéri Yaya Touré Fernando Francisco Reges
  It's been a really disappointing afternoon for Toure, and he makes his way off the pitch to be replaced by Fernando in Manchester City's first substitution of the game.
• 50'

   

  Okazaki almost makes it 3-0! Once again, Leicester are allowed far too much space inside the Manchester City half of the pitch, allowing Drinkwater to charge down the left wing on a marauding run. He then swings a dangerous cross into the middle of the box, where it finds the Japanese striker, but he's unable to get enough power on his shot and, as a result, it ends up bouncing into the hands of Hart.
• 48'

   

   

   

  Goal Riyad Mahrez
  GOAL! Leicester have doubled their lead! Zabaleta loses the ball on the right wing, allowing the visitors to break away on yet another brilliant counter-attack. Kante flies forward on a wonderful run and beats Delph with ease before teeing up Mahrez, who then skips past both Otamendi and Demichelis before beating Hart with a thumping strike from the edge of the penalty area that finds the top left-hand corner of the net.
• 48'

   

  Assist N'Golo Kanté
  Assist N'Golo Kanté
• 47'

   

  Leicester immediately fly forward on a quick counter-attack, with Albrighton charging forward as he heads towards the edge of the Manchester City box. He then plays a quick one-two with Vardy before trying to cut the ball back to Kante, but Otamendi is just about able to cut out the danger at the vital moment.
• 46'

   

  Yellow Card Danny Simpson
  Sterling tries to break down the left wing but is cynically tripped over by Simpson, resulting in a free-kick for Manchester City and a yellow card for the Leicester full-back. The set-piece is taken short and sent to the aforementioned winger, but his attempted cross is poor and is easily cut out by Albrighton on the edge of the penalty area.
• 46'

   

  And we're underway once again!
•  

   

  The two teams are making their way back out onto the pitch ahead of the start of the second half. Neither side have made any substitutions during the half-time break.
•  

   

  It's been an excellent opening 45 minutes for Leicester, who started the game in perfect fashion and have continually impressed since then. Poor defending by Manchester City allowed Huth to tap the visitors into the lead with just two minutes on the clock, and from then onwards they've done wonderfully well to remain defensively disciplined. As expected, the hosts have dominated possession but they've done little with it, with Sterling, Silva and, in particular, Toure all struggling to find much space inside the final third of the pitch.
•  

   

  HALF-TIME: MANCHESTER CITY 0-1 LEICESTER CITY
• 45'+3'

   

  Manchester City come back once again on what will surely be their final attack of the first half. Once again, Sterling shows good skill to get himself into a dangerous position, but his low cross fails to find a blue shirt and is deflected out for a corner that, not for the first time this afternoon, is easily dealt with by the visitors.
• 45'+1'

   

  Wonderful play by Aguero! The Argentine skips past two Leicester players with ease and penetrates the right-hand side of the penalty area before sending a low pass across the face of goal. It's brilliantly hit and beats the outstretched hand of Schmeichel, but there's no one there to meet it, much to the frustration of the Manchester City striker. Kolarov then picks up the ball on the opposite flank before sending a scuffed shot well wide of its intended target.
• 45'

   

  The fourth official has indicated that there will be three minutes of added time.
• 44'

   

  Fernandinho makes his way back onto the pitch and play resumes once again, with Manchester City immediately flying forward on a determined attacking move. They work the ball around quickly before Sterling cuts a pass back to Kolarov, but the Serbian's rocket of a shot ends up deflecting off the foot of Simpson and out for another corner.
• 42'

   

  There's a slight break in play as Fernandinho receives medical treatment in the middle of the pitch. He went down after clashing heads with Kante, leaving him looking rather groggy as he's checked by the Manchester City doctors.
• 40'

   

  Manchester City scream for a penalty, but nothing is given! Kolarov and Silva link up on the left-hand side of the Leicester box before the latter sends a low cross off Simpson and out for a corner. A misheader from Kante sends the resulting set-piece looping towards Fernandinho, who then powers towards the byline before going down under a tackle from Albrighton. The hosts immediately turn and appeal to the referee, but he quickly shakes his head and waves play on.
• 38'

   

  Leicester's defensive discipline is continuing to frustrate Manchester City, who are struggling whenever they find themselves inside the final third of the pitch. As soon as Toure receives the ball just outside of the visitors' penalty area he's put under an incredible amount of pressure by Kante and Drinkwater, resulting in him losing possession before he can spin and pick out a teammate.
• 36'

   

  Yellow Card Wes Morgan
  Morgan cynically clips Aguero from behind and brings the striker crashing to the ground, resulting in a yellow card for the centre-back and a free-kick for Manchester City 30 yards away from the visitors' goal. Silva tries to pick out a blue shirt with a curling cross, but it's slightly underhit and is easily cut out by Drinkwater.
• 35'

   

  After spending the majority of the last 10 minutes on the back foot, Leicester are finally able to break forward on another determined attacking move. They work the ball around well in the middle of the pitch before Albrighton swings in a cross from the left wing, but it flies just a yard or so over the head of Vardy before finding the hands of Hart
• 33'

   

  Chance for Aguero! The Argentine is finally able to find himself in a bit of space after Fuchs backs off ever so slightly on the right-hand side of the box, and he decides to unleash a low shot from 18 yards out. It's well hit but is sent too near to Schmeichel, who is comfortably able to stop the effort.
• 31'

   

  It's been a tough opening half-an-hour for Aguero, who is constantly trying to get himself into good positions in front of goal but is finding it increasingly tough to get the better of Huth. Once again the Argentine receives the ball in a dangerous area of the pitch before trying to spin past the German, but the Leicester defender stands tall and sticks out a foot to deny the striker from doing so.
• 29'

   

  Sterling twists and turns on the edge of the Leicester penalty area before chipping a deft pass into the path of Toure. The Ivorian charges into the left-hand side of the box and does well to meet the ball before firing a thumping strike, but, under pressure from Morgan, he ends up scuffing his effort well wide of the goal.
• 27'

   

  Vital interception by Huth! Sterling is finally able to find himself in a pocket of space down the left wing, and he immediately swings a dangerous cross into the heart of the penalty area. It looks set to find Aguero, who is in a great position in front of goal, but just as he's about to make contact with the ball Leicester's German centre-back gets a touch on it to send it away from the striker.
• 26'

   

  Manchester City are putting an increasing amount of pressure on Leicester as they continually swarm into the Leicester half of the pitch. The visitors have every available body back defending, however, and as a result it's proving to be a difficult few minutes for the hosts, who can't seem to penetrate the Foxes' penalty area.
• 24'

   

  Zabaleta cuts inside from the left wing before being clumsily fouled by Fuchs, resulting in a free-kick for Manchester City right on the edge of the penalty area. Kolarov steps up and unleashes a curling shot that does well to beat the wall, but Huth is there to send it looping over the top of the crossbar with a vital headed interception.
• 22'

   

  What a chance for Okazaki! Vardy breaks down the left wing on a great run before cutting inside and sending a low cross into the middle of the box. It beats two Manchester City players before finding the Japanese striker in front of goal, but he can only get a toe to the ball and, as a result, his shot ends up flying well wide of its intended target.
• 20'

   

  A thumping pass from Kolarov flies towards the Leicester box, where it finds Aguero, and the Argentine does well to bring it down under pressure. He tries to spin and beat Morgan, but the big centre-back stands tall and dispossesses the striker before he can pick out Sterling with a pass.
• 18'

   

  It's end-to-end stuff! A determined Manchester City attacking move breaks down, allowing Leicester to once again fly forward on a quick counter-attack. Vardy does well to charge towards the edge of the penalty area before trying to pick out Mahrez, who had made an equally good run, but the striker's pass is poor and is easily cut out by Kolarov.
• 16'

   

  It's been a better few minutes for Manchester City, who, after suffering a slow start to the game, have looked slightly more impressive when pushing forward. However, Leicester are matching them defensively, and it looks as if it's going to be a difficult afternoon for the hosts.
• 14'

   

  Manchester City patiently work the ball around the edge of the Leicester penalty area before Kolarov is eventually able to whip in a low cross from the left wing, but Simpson is there to deflect the Serbian's effort out for a corner. Once again the cross tries to pick out a blue shirt in the middle of the box, but this time it's overhit and ends up bouncing out to the opposite flank.
• 12'

   

  Once again, Leicester hit Manchester City on the break. Mahrez flies forward through the middle of the pitch, where there are no blue shirts to deal with him, before picking out Drinkwater with a deft through-ball. The Englishman charges into the box before firing a first-time shot from close range, but Hart does well to stick out a foot to stop it from finding the back of the net.
• 10'

   

  Zabaleta penetrates the left-hand side of the Leicester box before firing a low cross off the thigh of Kante and out for a corner. Silva whips the resulting set-piece into the middle of the penalty area, where there are plenty of blue shirts waiting, but Huth beats them to the ball before heading it away from danger.
• 8'

   

  Leicester almost make it 2-0! Albrighton picks up the ball on the left wing and immediately chips an excellent lofted pass over the top of the Manchester City defence and into the path of Vardy. The striker brings it down well before going one-on-one with Hart, but the goalkeeper does well to keep out the effort by throwing his body in the way.
• 7'

   

  Chance for City! Silva weaves his way through a sea of black shirts before sending a beautifully weighted through-ball into the path of Sterling. The Spaniard's pass beats Huth before rolling into the middle of the box, but Schmeichel reads it well and is there to cut out the danger.
• 5'

   

  Once again, Toure loses the ball in a dangerous position in the middle of the pitch, allowing Leicester to break away on a quick counter-attack. Kante uses his excellent pace to fly into the Manchester City half of the pitch and towards the hosts' penalty area, but at the vital moment he loses his footing and ends up slipping over before he can send a pass to Vardy.
• 3'

   

  Assist Riyad Mahrez
  That was excellent play by Mahrez, who not only did well to pick out Huth with his cross from the free-kick but forced Kolarov into fouling him after beating the Serbian with ease.
• 3'

   

   

   

  Goal Robert Huth
  GOAL! What a start by Leicester! Mahrez twists and turns down the right wing before being tripped over by Kolarov, resulting in a free-kick for Leicester just outside of the box. It's deftly chipped by the Algerian into the middle of the penalty area, where Huth is easily able to out-muscle Demichelis before beating Hart with a close-range flick. Manchester City completely fell asleep, and they've been punished for it!
• 2'

   

  Toure loses out to Kante in the middle of the pitch, allowing the Frenchman to quickly play the ball out to Simpson on the right flank. The full-back picks out Albrighton with a lofted pass across to the opposite wing, and the former Aston Villa man then sends a dangerous cross into the penalty area, but Hart is there to clear the danger with a thumping punch.
• 1'

   

  And we're off! Leicester get us underway, attacking from right to left.
•  

   

  The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off.
•  

   

  Meanwhile, Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri has named an unchanged side to the one that featured in the victory at home to Liverpool, with star striker Jamie Vardy, who scored twice on Tuesday evening, once again leading the line for the Foxes.
•  

   

  Manuel Pellegrini has decided to make four changes to the Manchester City side that started the 1-0 win against Sunderland during the week, with Pablo Zabaleta, Aleksandar Kolarov, Fabian Delph and Raheem Sterling coming into the starting line-up to replace Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Jesus Navas and Kelechi Iheanacho.
•  

   

  Leicester City substitutes: Schwarzer, Chilwell, Wasilewski, King, Dyer, Gray, Ulloa.
•  

   

  Leicester City XI (4-4-2): Schmeichel; Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Fuchs; Mahrez, Drinkwater, Kante, Albrighton; Okazaki, Vardy.
•  

   

  Manchester City substitutes: Caballero, Clichy, Sagna, Fernando, Celina, Garcia, Iheanacho.
•  

   

  Manchester City XI (4-2-3-1): Hart; Zabaleta, Otamendi, Demichelis, Kolarov; Fernandinho, Delph; Silva, Toure, Sterling; Aguero.
•  

   

  There’s just over 15 minutes left to go until until kick-off, so let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up afternoon…
•  

   

  Despite heading into today’s game three points behind their opponents, Manchester City are arguably the favourites to leave with a much-needed win. It’s not been the smoothest of campaigns for Manuel Pellegrini’s side, who have looked excellent on several occasions only to follow up good performances with poor results. Nonetheless, they are currently the best of the rest in the chase to overtake Leicester, and they start the day in impressive form. Tuesday evening’s 1-0 win away to Sunderland extended their domestic unbeaten run to seven games, whilst they currently boast the best home record in the Premier League this season with nine victories and 33 goals from 12 games. Only once in the past calendar year have the Citizens failed to score in front of their own fans, giving them a great chance of continuing that good run here today. With their away form somewhat erratic, a win this afternoon against the league leaders is desperately needed.
•  

   

  This afternoon sees first take on second in what is one of the biggest and most important games of the season thus far. At the start of the campaign, nobody, not even Leicester’s faithful fans, could have predicted that the Foxes would find themselves at the top of the Premier League table come the start of February. It’s been an incredible five months for Claudio Ranieri’s side, who have consistently impressed throughout and, as a result, find themselves sitting three points clear of Manchester City heading into today’s clash. A wonderful 2-0 win against Liverpool on Tuesday has kept alive their dreams of picking up their first ever top-flight title, but they now have to contend with what are arguably the two most important games of their season. After today’s game they must take on fourth-place Arsenal in what is sure to be a thrilling encounter at the Emirates. Back-to-back wins against two fellow title challengers would surely silence the doubters once and for all, whilst also putting them firmly in the driving seat to pull off what would be an absolutely remarkable league triumph.
•  

   

  Good afternoon and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s Premier League game between Manchester City and Leicester City at the Etihad Stadium.