Lucky ... City 2 vs. 1 Leicester

“The referee was so brave in making the decision. I’ve seen that happen before, a long time ago! It’s not normal to see something like that, but it is what it is”, Guardiola – 13/05/2017.

Goals: Silva (29'), Jesus (36'); Okazacki (42')

Line Up (4-1-4-1) (match ratings in brackets); 

Caballero (6)
Fernandinho (5.5)
Otamendi (5)
Kompany (5.5)
Clichy (4)
Toure (7)
Sterling (6), (Aguero 78' (5.5))
De Bruyne (4.5), (Zabaleta 82' (6))
Sané (6.5)
Silva (6.5)
Jesus (7), (Navas 90'+4 (5.5))

Referee; Michael Oliver (4)

Stats;Possession, 66%/34%; Shots, 17(5)/9(4); Corners, 9/3; Fouls, 12/16

Leicester are a horrible, dirty, hoofing apology for a football team, but today City were lucky to come away with the three points against them. Not because of the "brave" decision of the referee, Robert Madley to correctly rule out a bizarre double hit penalty in the 76' from Leicester; but because City switched off in a way I have not seen since the days of Mark Hughes.

After last week's excellent second half performance, I expected City to push on, and for the first 42 minutes that's exactly what they did. Leicester were relentless in their running and their niggly challenges, but they were not allowed into the game through the positive quick passing play which had hallmarked the win against Palace.  On 29', that directness, so often missing this season paid dividends, as Leroy Sané burst into the left of the penalty area and laid a low pass to Silva who passed the ball first time into the net. 1-0. On another day the goal may have been ruled out for offside as Sterling had strayed marginally in front of Fuchs, but the referee and linesman were as one in ruling correctly he was not interfering with play.

Five minutes later and it was Sané again, this time hacked down in plain sight of the referee as he danced past two Leicester defenders, penalty! Birthday boy Yaya Toure was magnanimous enough to let Jesus step up to take the kick, and Jesus did not let himslef down as the calmest man in the stadium rifled the ball home low into the left of the goal, not leaving Schmeichel any chance, 2-0. 

And then it all went wrong. The stepping off the gas which has cost City so so many times this season. Even if you would wish your team to coast to half time with your lead intact, a level of commitment to the safe pass, to the closing down of the opposition before they got into dangerous positions should surely be at the front of a players minds? But no; a wayward ball from Clichy, back to his worst after only one week; a simple crossfield ball find an unmarked Albrighton, who was given more time than at some free kicks by Fernandinho; a simple cross with both centre halves missing in action, and Okazacki scores his first goal in TWENTY THREE games, with Leicesters first meaningful chance, 2-1. 

Pep has spoken many times about (re)introducing a winning mentality to the dressing room. From that point on all the players with the exception of Toure and Jesus, seemed to forget any coaching toward that goal, as calmness evaporated and City allowed Leicester's hoof and hope to get the better of them at every turn. 

The second half had no highlights for City, just a growing unease in the stands that the three points which had at one point looked assured, would be snatched by Leicester as they became the team most likely to score. Even after the penalty let off, City's play remained erratic, with misplaced passing the order of the day, with of all people Kevin DeBruyne the most guilty misplacing half a dozen passes to bring pressure back on City, before being hauled off on 82'. When seven minutes of injury time was shown on the fourth officials board, the seemed inevitable that Leicester would at least equalise. But thankfully after ten minutes of time added on City's 2-1 advantage stood, City had won and claimed a valuable 3 points towards ECL qualification. Hopefully come Tuesday and West Brom, the nerves which struck the team to the point of uselessness in the second half can be forgotten. #CTID.

@l0ngwayfr0mh0me