What a day of sport we have in store and it’s going to begin with a bang. The Premier League’s top two do battle at the Etihad Stadium with 14 games left to play this season.
Leicester lead by three at the moment. Can City reel them in today and really ignite their charge?
Here are today’s teams:
Manchester City make four changes with Fabian Delph, Raheem Sterling, Pablo Zabaleta and Aleksandar Kolarov coming into the side. Jesus Navas, Kelechi Iheanacho, Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy are the ones to drop out.
Kick-off is at 12.45 and this match is live on BT Sport.
Man City 0 Leicester 1 (Huth ’3)
Wow, what a start. Leicester won a free kick on the edge of the area. Man City looked asleep as Mahrez just stroked it low into the area and Robert Huth steered it home.
This is setting up beautifully for the neutral already.
This has started off at break-neck speed. End to end stuff, some glorious attacking play from some of the league’s best players.
Man City have looked a bit shaky at the back — Vardy’s pace, as usual, is causing serious problems.
This has been thoroughly entertaining. David Silva, what a magical man. A mazy run from the little Spaniard leaves Leicester mesmerized but Silva drags his shot just wide.
I’d be amazed if we don’t see another few goals in this one.
Man City have been getting into this a bit more and the tempo has finally eased a bit.
Schmeichel has been called into action on a couple of occasions but the Dane has looked assured in the Leicester goal. Ten minutes left in this half.
Just in case you need a reminder of how things stand, this shows how big a results this would be for Leicester. This underdog story just keeps on giving.
Leicester are happy to sit back and wait for their opportunity to counter-attack. They’ve defended well, even as City have started to lord the possession.
Kevin De Bruyne is a big absentee for City, the ideal footballer to have at your disposal when you have to chase the game.
The rain is teeming down in Manchester at the moment.
HT: Man City 0 Leicester 1
Is this the day that everyone really starts to believe Leicester City can win the league?
It’s been an excellent performance from Claudio Ranieri’s side so far — they’ve been patient, organised and dangerous on the break.
Man City have dominated possession but have struggled to break Leicester down. They’re overplaying the ball at times, always looking for the extra pass. A more direct approach would be a welcome change from them in the second half.
City have no shortage of firepower in reserve – Iheanacho will surely see action at some stage after his FA Cup hat-trick last weekend.
Man City 0 Leicester 2 (Mahrez ’48)
Pellegrini responds immediately by changing personnel. On comes Fernando for Yaya Toure. A strange one, the Ivorian star didn’t look injured.
Iheanacho on for Delph too. Game on.
YEP, you read that right.
Mahrez must be one of the greatest transfers in the history of football. The man jinks through the Man City rearguard with the delicacy of Messi and a stepover Cristiano Ronaldo would be proud of.
He beats three players before burying it in the corner with his right foot. Superb football.
I think I’m falling in love with this Leicester team — please don’t crumble and break my heart now lads.
In case you missed it, Jurgen Klopp has been struck down by a bout of appendicitis and will miss Liverpool’s 3pm clash with Sunderland this afternoon.
WHAT A SAVE — Fernando makes an immediate impact, winning a header from a corner. He directs it downwards to Schmeichel’s left but the Dane manages to steer it away with a strong leg. He’s been excellent so far today.
OH MY DAYS!!
Man City 0 Leicester 3 (Huth ’60)
Has all this Pep talk knocked City out of kilter or have Leicester just been that good? I’m going with the latter.
Huth again, the big man rises highest for a corner and loops a header back across goal into the far corner.
This is just stunning. Whatsapp is bound to break down at some point today if this continues.
Howard Webb has pointed out that it shouldn’t have even been a corner – sure look, you’ll take it anyway.
Serious kudos has to go to Claudio Ranieri for this performance. Not many teams can set up away to Manchester City and frustrate them like this.
They’ve showed great energy, discipline and organisation in defence. And that has laid the platform for the magical Mahrez and Co to do the job at the other end of the field.
CHANCE — Joe Hart saves from Jamie Vardy after a stunning ball over the top from Drinkwater. Vardy’s speed really is something else — he’ll win those deliveries into space all day.
Man City fans are miserable in the rain but nothing can dampen the spirits of the away fans right now.
Leicester are still fighting away, not giving City any time on the ball and funneling back at speed.
David Silva off now – Celina comes on for him. The Spaniard looks like he’s picked up a knock though.
Man City 1 Leicester 3 (Aguero ’87)
Sergio Aguero nicks one back for City with an excellent near-post header. Me nerves…only a minute later the Argentine is nearly in for another after a sloppy backpass. But he fires wide under pressure from Schmeichel.
FT: Manchester City 1 Leicester City 3
“You gotta roll with it
You gotta take your time
You gotta say what you say
Don’t let anybody get in your way.”
Noel Gallagher’s voice echoes around an emptying Etihad and his words sum up where Leicester are at right now. There’s no sign of nosebleeds yet, still 13 games to play but boy, they’ve given themselves such a great opportunity to win the Premier League.
Absolutely incredible stuff.
And the hillsbourogh chants are just banter? Both sides have their elements
Bitter Man U fans as usual…..can’t take a beating.
They are disgraceful
Haha not bitter at all. Thats football, sometimes you lose. I dont know any united fan that wouldnt have taken a draw today. Disappointing to lose but so be it. Roll on the 11th, a chance to e even things up.
Which is exactly why I said both sides. But don’t let that get in the way I saying it’s just scousers it’s the football fan mentality in England where they don’t know when to cross the line
Two cups for the ‘Pool? (while the Mancs enjoy Thursday night football and battle it out for top spot). Progress at least.
Carling cup is there only chance at this moment in time, beating a very weak united team is nothing to be proud of
As gracious in defeat as ever….ah well suppose it’s better than the 3 united fans arrested for spitting at the Hillsborough Memorial today
I’m not even a utd fan. I’m just making a point that Liverpool weren’t playing against a good utd team. No Rooney, Vidic, Ferdinand, or an established right back. Not to mention a 37 and 38 year old in midfield.
To be fair though Conor Liverpool were missing Lucas and Suarez as well arguably their two most influential players
top notch defensive and attacking performance by liverpool also though. Carroll hasn’t been the best but played well today
I think Sir Alex is adding a bit of heat to the game by putting Patrice Evra as captain.
Huh? He is regulary Manchester Uniteds captain. Why would today be any different?
The ‘One Lying bastard’ chant sums thrm up perfectly. Klanfield indeed.
I hear ‘without killing anyone’ nothing about hillsborough. Its a reference to Heysel. Remember that one?
And no Ice on the Runway today from the Kop?
Cant believe KKK went with Caroll over Bellamy, Bellamy is about 10 times the player & 20 times more dangerous than Caroll.
United by far the best team in the first half,should never have let in a goal that soft. Id have stuck with Lindegaard.
Great atmosphere to be fair.loving the ‘always the victims,never your fault’ song.
Bellamy’s knees are knackered. Not supposed to play for 90 mins even oncce a week and had two games already this week. Should be on for Maxi, 2nd half. Bad as Carroll is he’ll make a nuisance of himself for United’s defence and keeper and good for the odd nod down.
Good goal from Kuyt. Evra caught out & DDG bad yet again.
Looked offside to me
Can you be offside from a goal kick, let me ask you?
Thanks Paul. I’m a Mayo man meself but I’ll take ur interesting and original thought onboard.
2.1
Tired or not Bellamy has to start 2nd half instead of Maxi. Adam and Johnson for Henderson and Downing, Johnson to play right wing. No point in hesitating with the changes Kenny.Stream has gone so can’t see 2nd half!