City turn to Jesus for salvation of second
MANCHESTER CITY’S Gabriel Jesus spared the blushes of strike partner Sergio Aguero to earn his side a morale-boosting victory ahead of their Champions League trip to Real Madrid.
In a match littered with VAR controversy, Aguero missed the visitors’ fifth penalty in seven attempts in the second half after handball had been awarded against Leicester’s Dennis Praet.
The Argentine was replaced by Jesus, who was on the pitch less than three minutes before converting a pass from ex-Foxes winger Riyad Mahrez for the winner — his 17th goal of the season.
Jesus admitted he was happy to come on and score the winner.
He said: ‘I tried to help my teammates and find space. It was a very good ball and I could score.
‘Sometimes I come on to help the defenders because we are winning. Today I had to come on and try to score a goal.’
Mahrez, though, admitted he was caught in two minds over shooting or slipping in Jesus. The Algerian added: ‘First of all, I wanted to shoot. I saw the space and at the last moment I saw Gabi.
‘I knew he wasn’t going to be offside because he was watching the line.’
Leicester, who remain third but are now seven points behind Pep Guardiola’s side, felt aggrieved that City’s goalkeeper Ederson wasn’t penalised for punching Kelechi Iheanacho shortly before half-time as they challenged in the air.
The first great chance fell to the home side. Youri Tielemans released Jamie Vardy and the Premier League’s leading scorer raced clear and beat Ederson only for the ball to strike the base of the left-hand post and bounce to safety.
City recovered to dominate possession. Mahrez fired in the game’s first shot on target which his one-time team-mate Kasper Schmeichel saved.
City’s sense of purpose despite the league title already being conceded to Liverpool fitted in with Guardiola’s demand for unity following the club’s two-year Champions League ban, which they are appealing.
There were penalty claims when James Maddison’s free-kick struck De Bruyne’s hand but the Belgian was protecting his face, so it seemed fair that the protests were rejected.
Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers disagreed: ‘Manchester City’s was a penalty. Kasper makes a fantastic save, but ours is clear too. Everyone bar Kevin’s arms are down.’
Maddison’s second set-piece was even closer, forcing Ederson to dive to his right and palm away.
Laporte lost a 50-50 to Kelechi Iheanacho shortly before half-time that led to the move that should have seen Leicester awarded a penalty. Maddison’s cross into the box was nodded on by Iheancho, who was then punched in the head by the challenging Ederson. If a centre-half had made the challenge, there would have no doubt a spotkick would have been awarded.
But the City keeper was given the benefit of the doubt — a VAR check deciding both players had gone for the ball.
Laporte was withdrawn shortly before the hour mark, with Nicolas Otamendi replacing him.
The visitors got a big VAR decision in their favour moments later but couldn’t take advantage. Praet rushed out to block an Ilkay Gundogan shot, leading with his elbow. City players surrounded referee Paul Tierney but had to wait until Stockley Park confirmed it was a penalty.
Aguero stepped forward but couldn’t alter his side’s rotten record from the spot, hitting the ball firmly with his right foot but not towards the corner, allowing Schmeichel to dive and save.
The crestfallen Argentine, who has failed with 13 of 49 penalties during his career, was sacrificed for Jesus after 77 minutes and then watched his replacement score within three minutes.
Mahrez made an electric break from the halfway line and slipped a pass to Jesus who finished neatly from eight yards.