Leicester vs Man City Premier League result and final score after De Bruyne goal with Haaland out - live
Manchester City returned to the top of the Premier League with victory over Leicester
A stunning free kick from Kevin De Bruyne earned Manchester City a 1-0 victory at Leicester City on Saturday, a win that moved the champions back to the top of the Premier League.
With top goalscorer Erling Haaland missing a Premier League game for the first time since arriving at City through injury, the visitors lacked a cutting edge in the first half, with Leicester containing them with ease.
It was clear it would take something special to unlock the determined hosts, with Belgian midfielder De Bruyne stepping up, firing an unstoppable free kick into the net four minutes after the break to put City in front.
Leicester responded well and has a chance to level through a stunning volley from Youri Tielemans, but City goalkeeper Ederson brilliantly tipped the thunderbolt of a strike onto the crossbar.
The hosts kept coming, putting City under plenty of late pressure, but the champions held on to climb back to the top of the standings on 29 points, one clear of Arsenal who play Nottingham Forest on Sunday. Leicester stay 17th.
James Maddison on Leicester 0-1 Man City
Maddison: “When you play City you have to take your medicine and accept they’ll have large spells of the ball.
“Arguably the best team in the world. We went with the 5-4-1 shape. The difference was a moment of magic from probably the best player in the Premier League.
“I don’t think he’s hit one that sweet, it’s a brilliant save from Ederson.
“We were pushing, but we ran out of time. We stayed in the game, which was the important thing.
“Get to the end period and know we could’ve taken one chance, but it wasn’t to be.
“He [Guardiola] asked why we didn’t play like we did in the last 15 minutes for the whole game, but he knows it’s not as easy as that.”
Pep Guardiola on Julian Alvarez replacing Erling Haaland
“When they defend in these positions, it's difficult for the strikers,” Guardiola adds.
“When they open, we have more chances in transitions. Leicester away is always a challenge.
“Now we wait to see what the others do, we have two games left [until the World Cup].”
Leicester 0-1 Man City: Pep Guardiola reacts to victory
“A real difficult game,” Guardiola says. “They play so deep, it’s not easy, after we scored, we started the second half well.
“We play low rhythm the whole game because they play this way.
“Massive victory for us. He [De Bruyne] is back. He wasn’t playing good last few games.
“He knows it. It’s difficult, back five with holding midfielder, there’s no space. Don’t get frustrated, don’t concede the counter-attack or free-kicks, Maddison is a master in these situations.
“We played low rhythm, that’s why we suffer.”
Leicester 0-1 Man City
“We always have to do better,” De Bruyne, who was given the man of the match award, says after Guardiola demanding more from him.
Some games are more difficult than others. I’m trying to contribute, that’s all I can do.”
Leicester 0-1 Man City: Kevin De Bruyne reacts to win
“We created enough, it’s very difficult, we proved we can do it with or without him,” says De Bruyne.
“We made it difficult for ourselves, we were tired with all the games, they were very negative for 70 minutes.
“We tried to keep it in their half. We still could’ve scored the second. They have a couple of moments, more from our doing.
“It goes perfectly, luckily it’s 1-0.”
FT: Leicester 0-1 Man City
It’s full-time and City go top of the Premier League!
Leicester 0-1 Man City
A corner in stoppage time for Leicester after a City deflection drifts narrowly wide of Ederson’s post.
De Bruyne running away from Leicester, who overcommitted to the corner.
Gundogan waiting for a tap-in but the Belgian’s cross is too heavy.
Leicester 0-1 Man City
Another Iheanacho chance. Laporte seemingly fouled but nothing given.
The Nigerian dribbles into the box and comes inside before pulling the shot back to the near post.
Ederson down well to gather.
Leicester 0-1 Man City
Wonderful movement from Iheanacho down the right wing, he spins, then curls a ball over the top of the City back line.
Daka is in and flicks his header on target, but Ederson gobbles that up.
Leicester 0-1 Man City
Maddison at the top of the diamond and two strikers.
Just five minutes remaining, can the Foxes find an unlikely equaliser?
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies