MX23RW : Friday, March 29 09:10:16| >> :120:30483:30483:
[monks data]
Manchester City logo
Premier League | Gameweek 3
Sep 27, 2020 at 4.30pm UK
Etihad Stadium
Leicester logo

Man City
2 - 5
Leicester

Mahrez (4'), Ake (84')
Ake (60')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Vardy (37' pen., 54', 58' pen.), Maddison (77'), Tielemans (88' pen.)
Tielemans (22'), Soyuncu (47'), Amartey (51')

Pep Guardiola: 'Leicester did not want to play in rout of Manchester City'

The Foxes' stunning 5-2 triumph marked the first time a Pep Guardiola-managed side has conceded five goals.

Pep Guardiola accused his Manchester City side of lacking strength and belief after they were ripped apart by Leicester on Sunday.

Jamie Vardy grabbed a hat-trick as the Foxes came from behind at the Etihad Stadium to stun Guardiola’s men 5-2 and storm to the top of the Premier League.

It was the first time Guardiola had seen one of his teams concede five goals in his glittering managerial career and was all the more frustrating after they dominated the early stages.

The result was the worst of Guardiola's managerial career in terms of goals conceded
The result was the worst of Guardiola’s managerial career in terms of goals conceded (Martin Rickett/PA)

Guardiola said: “We played really good in the first 30 minutes. They defended so deep, so it was not easy, and I think the problem was that we put extra pressure on ourselves to score the second or third when they just didn’t want to play.

“They just wanted to defend and play on the counter-attack and in that position we have to be more calm, just try to be patient.

“After 1-1 and 2-1 we were not strong enough to be stable, to be patient. Even at 2-5 they settled back there with 11 players and it is so difficult to create chances.”

City started superbly with Riyad Mahrez scoring after four minutes against his old club but, despite controlling possession, they failed to add to their lead.

Vardy levelled after winning a penalty on a breakaway, then flicked in a superb second early in the second half. He completed his treble with a second penalty before James Maddison came off the bench to curl in a sublime fourth.

Nathan Ake pulled one back after Liam Delap headed against the bar on his Premier League debut but Youri Tielemans wrapped up the scoring with yet another Leicester penalty.

Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers was in no doubt where that result ranked in his time at the club.

“It was the best result, that’s for sure,” said the Northern Irishman, who took charge at the King Power Stadium in February last year.

“I think to beat Manchester City you’ve got to run like hell. You have to have that mentality that you’re going to have to work.

Manchester City v Leicester City – Premier League – Etihad Stadium
Manchester City’s Benjamin Mendy (right) fouls Leicester City’s James Maddison for Leicester’s third penalty, scored by Youri Tielemans (Catherin Ivill/PA)

“I thought there was real good tactical discipline. We showed our quality, played the system very well, and it was an absolutely brilliant result and performance for us.”

On a positive note for City, Benfica have confirmed agreement has been reached for the sale of Portugal defender Ruben Dias. The 23-year-old will move to the Etihad Stadium for an initial £62million, with a potential extra £3.2million to follow in add-ons, subject to the agreement of personal terms.

City centre-back Nicolas Otamendi, 32, is set to move in the opposite direction for £13.6million.

ID:416239: cacheID:416239:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7983:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!