Manchester City 2–0 Leicester City Player Ratings: Grealish and Marmoush Lead City to Comfortable Win in Premier League

Manchester City produced a professional performance as goals from Jack Grealish and Omar Marmoush saw them emerge comfortable 2-0 winners against Leicester City at the Etihad stadium.

The Cityzens wasted no time in opening proceedings as they took just 2 minutes to score the opening goal. Wilfred Ndidi was dispossessed after some good defensive work by Jeremy Doku. The Belgian international then released Savinho through the right with an inch-perfect through ball. The Brazilian kept the ball in play before finding an onrushing Grealish, who scored with a deft first-time shot into the bottom left corner.

It was a sense of relief for Grealish, who has had a rather difficult season owing to a variety of reasons. The goal also settled Man City into their familiar groove as they set about to keep the ball for long stretches and keep the Leicester defense on their toes.

The visitors tried to get forward on a couple of occasions. Bilal El Khannouss saw a wonderful long-range curler go just a smidgen wide and had Ederson scrambling. But as has been the case this season, the Foxes have just not been able to capitalise on he good moments to build sustained pressure on their opponents.

They had only themselves to blame as they found themselves 2-0 down on the half-hour mark. A seemingly harmless ball was expected to be gathered comfortably by Hermansen, only for him and Faes to make an almighty hash of it. Omar Marmoush reacted quickest to the fracas and let rip an unerring strike in an open net to further heap more woe on the Foxes.

From that point on it was just one-way traffic as Man City set out to tighten the screws on their visitors. Marmoush saw his goal-bound shot blocked by Faes, while Gvardiol and Doku also saw their shots repelled in quick succession. The only highlight for Leicester apart from that one shot was Jamie Vardy getting booked for a rather wild hoick on Marmoush as the referee drew curtains on the first half.

The second half of the game was a glorified session of keep-ball for Manchester City as they kept the ball for almost the entirety of the half to completely take the sting out of the game. Leicester offered nothing in terms of attack while they helplessly watched their counterparts keep the ball as the ref mercifully blew the final whistle to bring their agony to a close.

The result sees Man City still in touching distance of a place in the Champions League, while Leicester City continue to sleepwalk their way to inevitable relegation as they are firmly rooted to the 19th spot with 8 games left to play. Here are the player ratings for the game. Here are the Manchester City vs Leicester City Player Ratings.

Manchester City Player Ratings

GK- Ederson- 6/10

Apart from one shot that had him scrambling, he did not have much to do in the first half. Barely had a kick in anger in the second half.

RB- Matheus Nunes- 6/10

The Portuguese is continuing to grow into his new role as right-back as he once again deputised ably in that position. Did not have much defending to do but provided good support in attack.

CB- Ruben Dias- 6/10

Had precious little to do in the first half in terms of defensive actions. One of his easier and more comfortable nights as Leicester’s attacking was non-existent.

LCB- Josko Gvardiol- 6/10

Did not have much to do defensively as Leicester barely attacked in the first half. Had a shot that was blocked towards the end of the first half. Comfortable defensive performance.

LB- Nico O’Reilly- 6/10

Put himself out and about nicely as he made himself an outlet at left-back. Had a shot blocked in the second half as he strode forward more often.

CDM- Ilkay Gundogan- 6/10

Was accurate with his passing as always. Did the simple things right as he kept finding Savinho and Doku time and again.

CDM- Nico Gonzales- 6/10

Acquitted himself well in the middle as he gets acquainted with his new surroundings. Was composed and effective in recycling possession.

RW- Savinho- 8/10

Created the opening goal with a neat cutback after managing to keep the ball in play. Was a constant menace on the right as he time and again found space on the byline to ping cutbacks. Kept up the intensity in the second half and was unlucky not to score.

CAM- Jack Grealish- 7/10

Scored the opening goal with a great first-time shot into the left corner. Grew in confidence as the game went on. Showed glimpses of the old Grealish in fragments.

LW- Jeremy Doku- 7.5/10

Won the ball that kick-started the move for the opening goal. His dribbling and running were a constant threat from the left-hand side as he enjoyed his tussle with Justin all evening long.

ST- Omar Marmoush- 7.5/10

His goal was a classic example of top-notch game awareness as he reacted quickest to get to the keeper’s fumble and score with an unerring finish. Should have had another goal, but saw his shot blocked. Constantly ran between the lines as he kept the Leicester defense guessing.

Sub- James McAtee- N/A

Was brought in late. Could not make much of an impact.

Sub- Oscar Bobb- N/A

Was brought in late. Could not make much of an impact.

Sub- Rico Lewis- N/A

Was brought in late. Could not make much of an impact.

Sub- Vitor Reis- N/A

Was brought in late. Could not make much of an impact.

Manager- Pep Guardiola/ Juanma Lillo- 6/10

Pep Guardiola’s absence meant that Lillo was in charge, and he could not have asked for a more easy outing. The entire team was on autopilot as they comfortably cruised to victory.

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Leicester City Player Ratings

GK- Mads Hermansen- 4/10

Could do nothing about the first goal but was culpable for the second after fumbling what was an easy gather. Made a sharp save towards the end of the first half.

RCB- Wout Faes- 4/10

Was part of the mix-up that led to his side conceding the second goal.

CB- Conor Coady- 4/10

Did nothing to spot Grealish’s run and put in a half-hearted block attempt for the same.

LCB- Luke Thomas- 4/10

Gave Savinho ample time and space to keep the ball in play and then also play the cutback for the opening goal. Was booked in the second half

RWB- James Justin- 4.5/10

Was one of the better performers in the Leicester side, but that is not much of a consolation. Tried his best to get his team out of the mire but was just not able to. Booked in the second half.

CM- Wilfred Ndidi- 4/10

His moment of indecision led him to lose the ball, which in turn led to his side conceding the opening goal. Had a couple of forays in the City half but none made any impact.

CM- Boubakary Soumare- 4.5/10

Ran through a few tackles and also showed his physicality and deft touch on occasion. However, that could not save his team or inspire them to action.

LWB- Victor Kristiansen- 4.5/10

Had a couple of lung-busting runs early in the first half, but nothing came off it. Was constantly tormented by Savinho throughout. Subbed at the hour.

RF- Patson Daka- 4/10

Had a fleeting moment of promise after turning Gvardiol inside out, but ran himself out of space. Another ineffective night for the Zambian.

ST- Jamie Vardy- 3.5/10

Barely had a kick off the ball in the first half. Was booked for a wild swipe on Marmoush. Justifiably subbed off at half-time

LF- Bilal El Khannouss- 4.5/10

Had a gorgeous long-range strike that was just a whisker off-target. He was anonymous after that as he was subbed off at the hour mark.

Sub- Oliver Skipp- 4/10

Came on at half-time to replace Vardy. Barely got a foot on the ball as City took the sting out of the game.

Sub- Facundo Buonanotte- 4/10

He was brought in to add a spark to a toothless attack. Was barely involved in the game.

Sub- Caleb Okoli- 4/10

Had 2 fouls to show for his performance. That was all that he could muster in his time on the pitch.

Sub- Ricardo Pereira- N/A

Was brought in late. Could not make much of an impact.

Sub- Jordan Ayew- N/A

Was brought in late. Could not make much of an impact.

Manager- Ruud van Nistelrooy- 4/10

The Dutchman is on thin ice and cannot shake his team out of the slumber as they face the grim reality of relegation. No inspiration, no attacking impetus whatsoever, and another pathetic performance for his side. Even Nistelrooy, the striker, would not be able to change this side’s fortunes with the way things are going.

Sportsdunia Player of the Match goes to Savinho.

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