Manchester City are closing in on a Champions League place for next season, following a nervy 2-1 victory over Leicester. On the fifth anniversary of the club's first Premier League title win, Pep Guardiola's side needed to battle in a game they should have better controlled after going 2-0 up in the first half. City got some luck: An equalising penalty from Riyad Mahrez was ruled out when eagle-eyed referee Bobby Madley spotted the Algerian midfielder touch the ball twice.

Positives

City are within touching distance of securing fourth and well in control of their own destiny if they want third; two wins will assure them of finishing ahead of Liverpool, but one will do it to stay ahead of Arsenal and Manchester United, barring a big goal difference swing to the Gunners. For one of the few times this season, Guardiola's side stood up well to a late onslaught.

Negatives

Defensive issues were once again highlighted, as Gael Clichy clumsily brought down Mahrez in the box to gift a penalty to the visitors. Meanwhile, at the other end, City again proved wasteful and weren't able to finish the away side off when they had the chances.

Manager rating out of 10

6 -- The manager named an unchanged side for the first time all season and it got City in control, but perhaps he could have done more to shore things up earlier and ease stress in the stands.

Player ratings (1-10; 10=best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)

GK Willy Caballero, 7 -- The goalkeeper is not renowned for being particularly commanding in his box but did very well as Leicester continued to put in corners, free kicks and long throws. He was alive to the laws of the game, too, quickly appealing to the referee when Mahrez's penalty struck both feet.

DF Gael Clichy, 4 -- It is increasingly obvious that Clichy shouldn't be an option for the club next season. His was a stupid challenge on Mahrez to give away the penalty and, in general, he struggled to cope with the pace of the Leicester attacks all afternoon.

DF Nicolas Otamendi, 6 -- He was unfortunate to slip in defending Shinji Okazaki's goal, but looked solid otherwise. There was only one moment of light-headedness -- he ran 30 yards out of position and then gave away possession -- but his teammates covered that error.

DF Vincent Kompany, 7 -- In a physical battle with Jamie Vardy, he did well to come out on top. He read the game well, covered where he needed to, and took a yellow card for the team to stop a dangerous breakaway at 2-1.

MF Fernandinho, 6 -- Always looks somewhat uncomfortable when asked to play at full-back. He didn't get out quickly enough to block the cross for Leicester's goal, though he showed some good touches to link up with Raheem Sterling in the first half. He was much more relaxed after moving inside.

MF Yaya Toure, 7 -- The king is dead, long live the king! Toure has never missed a penalty for City but gave spot kick duties to youngster Gabriel Jesus, who's never taken a penalty for the club. Toure controlled the midfield, like he usually does.

MF Kevin De Bruyne, 5 -- It was an off-day for the midfielder, who seemed unable to find a City shirt with his passes and, as a result, got more frustrated as the game went on.

MF David Silva, 6 -- After opening the scoring in the first half, he had a quiet game. He was crucial in helping City break Leicester's lines and it was noticeable how much the hosts struggled when Silva couldn't get on the ball.

MF Raheem Sterling, 6 -- Should he have been flagged for offside for the opening goal? Sterling didn't get a touch and Kasper Schmeichel wouldn't have saved it, but the winger could have removed any doubt by not swinging a leg at the already-goalbound shot. Beyond that, he was tricky but faded in and out.

MF Leroy Sane, 8 -- The star of the show for City. He blazed into the box most times he got on the ball and was the most dangerous in a home shirt in the first half, setting up the first and drawing a foul for the penalty that led to the second.

FW Gabriel Jesus, 7 -- It takes bottle to stand up and take a penalty away from Toure, but Gabriel showed why he backed his own ability. It was a great strike, reminiscent of Mario Balotelli's spot kicks, and that's now five goals in nine appearances for the 20-year old.

Substitutes

FW Sergio Aguero, NR -- Brought on for Sterling with 12 minutes to play, Aguero had one good chance to score after dribbling through the Leicester box.

DF Pablo Zabaleta, NR -- Given the final eight minutes in place of De Bruyne, Zabaleta helped keep the defence steady at Leicester pushed to level.

MF Jesus Navas, NR -- A stoppage-time swap for Gabriel, Navas barely had chance to touch the ball.

Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC

by DAVID MOONEY

If you have any stories or news that you would like to share with the global online community, please feel free to share it with us by contacting us directly at [email protected]