MATCH PEP’S DIFFER FACTS
Rodgers fails his toughest examination as Guardiola shows he’s still the master
EDERSON
Came off line as Vardy charged in but unable to prevent the opener
WALKER
Dived in with tackle, leaving him stranded, as Vardy scored
FERNANDINHO
Unable to keep up with Vardy as he surged through for the opener
OTAMENDI
Reliable defensively, anticipated danger and read the game well
MENDY
Played fine crossfield ball to Mahrez in build-up to equaliser
GUNDOGAN Booked
Dispatched clinical penalty to put City ahead. Anchored the midfield
DE BRUYNE Booked
Hit post with early effort. Set up Jesus for City’s third goal
B SILVA
Pressed and closed down opponents with typical industry
MAHREZ
Tormented Chilwell with quick feet. Unplayable at times
JESUS
Missed early chance but got the goal that his work-rate warranted
STERLING
Won penalty after he was clipped by Ricardo. Kept defender on toes
SUBS: Rodri (Gundogan 78); Foden (Sterling 89); Aguero (De Bruyne 90)
SCHMEICHEL
Made a succession of fine saves but had no chance with leveller
RICARDO
Gave away penalty with challenge on Sterling, who sorely tested him
EVANS
Superbly-timed tackle to thwart Sterling early on. Put body on line
SOYUNCU Booked
Ball deflected off him for City equaliser. At fault for City’s third
CHILWELL
Won the ball in build-up to the opener but tormented by Mahrez
NDIDI Booked
Made some vital tackles and interceptions around his own area
TIELEMANS
Struggled to get into the game and make his presence count
BARNES
Sublime ball in behind the City defence for Vardy’s opener
PEREZ
Quiet in terms of overall influence but set up Maddison for a chance
MADDISON
Denied by Ederson just before the break. Lacked influence
VARDY
Chipped the ball over Ederson to continue his superb scoring run
SUBS: Albrighton (Barnes 64) Gray (Perez 68)
Praet (Tielemans 77)
REFEREE:
Mike Dean
BRENDAN RODGERS is being touted as a successor to Pep Guardiola.
But while the Leicester boss showed he is canny enough to exploit the glaring defensive deficiencies in Manchester City’s set-up, this was a night when the Ulsterman was given a lesson.
After Jamie Vardy had brilliantly exposed the lack of pace in the centre of City’s back four, the champions struck three times in a scintillating display of attacking football.
Riyad Mahrez may have needed a break to equalise – but further goals by Ilkay Gundogan and Gabriel Jesus were scant reward for the home side’s dominance. Kevin De Bruyne was a class apart and Mahrez was also impressive against his former club.
It means the champs move to within one point of the secondplaced Foxes and 11 behind runaway leaders Liverpool.
But while retaining the title from here is a tough ask for Guardiola, the football his side play is of the highest quality.
At least when they’re on the front foot.
From the start the home side looked in the mood to make a statement of intent – but it was also clear on the break Leicester could do damage. So it proved.
■ Manchester City have won 250 Premier League games in the 2010s. They are only the second side to win as many as top-flight games over a
Raheem Sterling got an early sight of goal when De Bruyne put him clear with the first of a string of outrageous passes.
But the winger didn’t have the confidence to shoot with his left foot and the chance was lost.
Mahrez was also in the mood. The £60million Algerian had Ben Chilwell dancing like a puppet on a string.
Mahrez had one shot blocked before setting up De Bruyne for a 20-yard strike that beat Kasper Schmeichel’s left hand only to come back off the post.
When Mahrez turned Chilwell inside out again, he served up a perfect cross for Jesus only for the Brazilian to stumble into his shot allowing wh 25 ■L Pr
Schmeichel to save. 21 minutes, Vardy s sheer pace can do to an ageing Argentine Brazilian midfield central defence.
One ball was al took, Ashley Barn finding his No.9 wi the outside of his fo
Vardy was just t fast for Fernandin and he burst past the defender before lifting a glorious finish over Ederson. It