SILVA SERVICE

.... and Pep is lapping it up: ‘Bernardo’s connection with Jack and Joao is brilliant!’

PEP GUARDIOLA admitted to having doubts over whether his Manchester City stars were capable of winning here having flown across the world during the international break.

But, after a goal from Bernardo Silva (below) earned a deserved victory, the Spaniard hailed a result that sends a strong signal to the champions’ title rivals.

“Always after the international break you have doubts, but the mentality of the players was incredible from the first minute to the end,” said the City boss.

“We played an excellent, excellent game. After the international break it is not one of the best places to come to play.

“But we created a lot and unfortunately we could not score more goals. The big signal to be solid during the season is the way we played, and the last three games were incredibly good.”

City dominated possession from the off at the King Power, setting the tone in forcing Jannick

Vestergaard into two desperate blocks in the box early-doors.

But the Dane took confidence from those interventions, and seemed to spend the remainder of the half on a one-man mission to prevent City finding a breakthrough.

Beyond winning every aerial ball in the box and offering a setpiece threat at the other end, his most notable contribution came in the form of expertly-timed lunge to deny Ferran Torres from close range.

Despite those chances, it felt like the Foxes had been in the game throughout, but they still ended the half having taken just two shots to City’s 12.

And when Gabriel Jesus forced Kasper Schmeichel into his fifth save just before the break, a goal for the champions felt inevitable.

Still, Leicester did not see it that way and made a strong start to the second half, that saw Harvey Barnes skim Ederson’s crossbar with a header.

The Foxes then had the ball in the back of the net, Jamie Vardy rounding the goalkeeper, only for VAR to deny him.

However, Brendan Rodgers’ side were dealt a blow on the hour as Vestergaard had to make way – having been experiencing groin pain following the restart.

And, though it was hard to blame the subsequent defensive reshuffle for the goal that followed, less than a minute separated the away side’s breakthrough from the substitution. It was the influential Silva who got it, following in a deflected Joao Cancelo effort to score from close range.

It was a contribution that capped a very praiseworthy performance from the Portuguese, who spent much of the summer linked with a move.

Guardiola (above) said: “He played very well the last two games. The connection with Jack [Grealish] and Joao was brilliant.

“It is not just the quality he plays with, but the incredible runs he makes and work ethic. We will see what happens.”

Leicester produced arguably the best opening of either side before the end, substitutes Kelechi Iheanacho and Ademola Lookman linking up – only for the latter to sting Ederson’s palms.

And it was that opening, along with Leicester’s overall showing, that left Rodgers feeling his team merited at least a point.

The Foxes boss said: “Probably I feel most disappointed for the players because I thought we deserved something.

“You always know you have to defend well against Manchester City. We showed that resilience and mentality not to concede.

“We had good opportunities. Jamie was unlucky with his knee offside and then they get a bit of luck with their goal.

“What is so important when you play Manchester City is that you stay in the game and from the first minute we were right in there against a world-class team.”

Always after international breaks you have doubts ...but the mentality of my players is incredible

Gunners, there were signs that he was beginning to feel at home.

And, more importantly, that his colleagues started to appreciate just what his strengths are and how to best utilise them. And that includes his manager, too.

Guardiola set up his side so that Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva played either side of Rodri with the Spaniard positioned in front of the back four.

Joao Cancelo has proved that he can play full-back, full stop. Right or left.

The Portuguese is a class act. And the former Juventus defender, along with Grealish and

Silva ended up toying with Leicester. Almost everything of note came down that left side.

Indeed, they were all involved in the only goal.

Manchester City had created the better chances but that lack of a real cutting edge – Ferran Torres really isn’t the answer – looked to be hurting them.

But after Ruben Dias swept a ball out to the left, Grealish tied up Timothy Castagne before Cancelo powered a shot forward that ended with Silva grabbing the winner.

The contrast with what happened on City’s right was stark. Gabriel Jesus looked uncomfortable. Gundogan’s influence was reduced. And Kyle Walker was afraid to venture too far forward, should Harvey

Barnes take advantage.

That placed added emphasis on Grealish – and he rose to the challenge.

But perhaps his finest moment came two minutes from time. The game was still in the balance. Leicester remain a handful and will have another good season for Brendan Rodgers.

Guardiola’s men could not afford to switch off until the last blast of Paul Tierney’s whistle. And Grealish (right) didn’t. He chased 50 yards back into his own half to tackle Marc Albrighton as the tireless Foxes midfielder looked to break clear. He retrieved possession, and off Manchester City went again.

The vocal visiting supporters recognised his industry, breaking into the chorus of ‘Super Jack Grealish,’ that had been first sung way back when.

Perhaps he wasn’t super yesterday. But he definitely made a difference.

And that is exactly why City spent all that money.