Manchester City was the clear favorite of the clash with Leicester. Pep Guardiola’s team went from victory to victory, leading the Premier League standings, and there was no indication that anyone could stop them.
And the first 25 minutes of the Sunday match showed the firepower of the team from the “blue part” of Manchester. Already in the 5th minute, Kevin de Bruyne put City in the lead with a strong shot from the left leg.
Nine minutes later it was 2-0 and the score was increased by Riyad Mahrez, who confidently used a penalty. The fans waited only seven minutes for the next goal. Ilkay Guendogan took advantage of Kasper Schmeichel’s mistake and placed the ball in the net from close range. After a while the hosts were leading 4-0. This time Raheem Sterling turned the “eleven” into a goal.
It seemed that this was the end of emotions in this match, and Manchester City will harass the rival with more goals. Nothing could be more wrong.
After the break, Leicester City set off in pursuit. In the 55th minute the signal to attack was given by James Maddison, scoring a goal after a quick counterattack. After a while, and another quick lash with the ball, Lisy scored the second goal. This time Ederson was defeated by Ademola Lookman.
The ground under the feet of Manchester City players began to burn in the 65th minute. All because the Citizens goalkeeper had defeated Kelechi Iheanacho and Leicester City reduced the losses to just one hit.
However, Pep Guardiola’s team did not lose their heads in a difficult moment. He showed why he is the main favorite for the championship and in the 69th minute he poured a bucket of cold water on the burning hopes of Leicester fans. More specifically, it was Aymeric Laporte who defeated Schmeichel. Manchester City again had a two-goal advantage and much more calm.
The result of the match was established in the 87th minute by Raheem Sterling, for whom it was the second goal. Ultimately, Manchester City beat Leicester City 6: 3. This is one of the highest Boxing Day results in the last few years.
In other matches that started at 16.00, there was also no shortage of emotions. The most goals were scored in the “Polish” match, that is the West Ham match between Łukasz Fabiański and Southampton Jan Bednarek. The team of the Polish defender won 3-2, and “Bedi” scored a goal that was important to the victory.
In turn, Arsenal defeated Norwich 5-0 at home, and Tottenham easily defeated Crystal Palace 3-0 at home.
Thanks to the win, Manchester City strengthened their leading position and increased their advantage over the second Liverpool to six points and the third Chelsea to nine. However, keep in mind that The Reds and The Blues have one match less.
While Arsenal kept their fourth place in the table, Tottenham took advantage of West Ham’s defeat to climb to fifth in the Premier League. Leicester is 10th, Crystal Palace 12th and Southamton 14th. Norwich closes the table with just 10 points.
Manchester City – Leicester City 6:3 (4:0)
Goals: de Bruyne (5), Mahrez (14 – rz. k.), Guendogan (21), Sterling (25 – rz. k., 87), Laporte (69) – Maddison (55), Lookman (59), Iheanacho ( 65)
Norwich – Arsenal 0:5 (0:2)
Goals: Saka (6, 67), Tierney (44), Lacazette (84 – rz. k.), Smith Rowe (90+1)
Tottenham – Crystal Palace 3:0 (2:0)
Goals: Kane (32), Lucas Moura (34), Hueng-Min (74)
West Ham – Southampton 2:3 (0:1)
Goals: Antonio (49), Benrahma (64) – Elyounoussi (8), Ward-Prowse (61), Bednarek (70)
–
