COMING UP...
Mahrez Vardy Gundogan Gabriel Jesus
WE need to talk about Kevin.
The award-winning book with that title is not about football, but could also be an aptly-named self-help manual for managers about how to deal with Kevin De Bruyne.
Manchester City’s status as champions may be ending after two years of recordbreaking dominance, but in
De Bruyne they possess arguably the world’s best central midfielder.
He was unplayable in City’s 3-0 demolition of Arsenal a week ago and it was a similar story here, the £54million star tormenting Leicester and inspiring Pep Guardiola’s side to a deserved win.
Riyad Mahrez was outstanding against his former club, scoring and threatening throughout, but City’s £60m winger was eclipsed by De Bryune, whose mix of elegance and ruthlessness flattened the Foxes. This was the first time Brendan
Rodgers had come up against De Bruyne, and the Leicester boss was left in openmouthed awe at the way in which the 28-year-old ran the game and left his team with no answer.
“Kevin is unbelievable,” said Rodgers. “He’s a world-class player and, with worldclass players, they’ll find the space. “You can block up spaces and be tight and organised, but the world-class players will find the space.
“It’s his level and mentality. To see it live, at that level and with that quality, was absolutely great.
“You have a plan but it’s very, very difficult, because he executes it in every game he plays.David Silva is the same. Their in-built brain for football finds the space and they have that quality to hurt you.” Jamie Vardy gave Leicester the lead with a superb goal on the counter-attack, with Mahrez levelling with a deflected strike.
Ilkay Gundogan dispatched a penalty before half-time after Raheem Sterling was brought down, with Gabriel Jesus adding a third late on.
Despite the convincing win, Guardiola said catching Liverpool was an unlikely prospect, given the sizeable lead they hold. “When a team has 16 victories from 17, it’s unrealistic to think we’re going to catch them,” said Guardiola. “It’s unrealistic now. “We have to try to win our games, secure a Champions League place for next season and then you never know. If they drop a couple of games, and we win and win – I don’t know.”
But City defender Benjamin Mendy said: “Of course we can catch Liverpool.
“If not, we stop playing now and we bring the cup to Liverpool. We need to try to fight until the end.”
MANCHESTER CITY
Fri Wolves (away) ............. PL Sun Sheffield Utd (home) ..PL Jan 1 Everton (home) ........... PL LEICESTER
Thur Liverpool (home) ........ PL Sat West Ham (away) ........ PL Jan 1 Newcastle (away) ....... PL
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