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Manchester City make a statement with victory over Leicester

By J.C. Gonzalez

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 21: Jamie Vardy of Leicester City runs with the ball past Fernandinho of Manchester City on his way to score his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Leicester City at Etihad Stadium on December 21, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 21: Jamie Vardy of Leicester City runs with the ball past Fernandinho of Manchester City on his way to score his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Leicester City at Etihad Stadium on December 21, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /
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Much like Leicester City announced their Premier League title credentials in February of 2016 with a resounding 3-1 victory against Manchester City, Man City sent a clear signal that they remain Liverpool’s primary rivals by returning the favor on Saturday.

Saturday represented a key turning point in the Premier League season in a huge matchup between second and third place. After falling behind to Brendan Rodgers’ flying young Leicester side, City turned it on for one of the best performances of the season in a 3-1 win that turned the tide of the title race.

Leicester had made real noise in the first half of the campaign, chasing Liverpool and leading City by four points heading into the key clash at the Etihad. Saturday’s game looked to be a real danger for the home side, with Leicester talisman Jamie Vardy running away with the Golden Boot race against a vulnerable Blues defense.

However, Guardiola’s men responded with an emphatic performance to truly show Leicester that they remain England’s second-best team, despite all of the Foxes’ early success. With the season nearly halfway complete and Leicester facing leaders Liverpool, it looks all but certain that City will reclaim second place in the league heading into the New Year, and that they won’t look back from there as Leicester look to maintain their top four challenge.

Even though the title may be gone, City could have faded into obscurity this season and allowed Leicester to establish themselves as a clear second place with a seven point cushion on third place. However, Guardiola has stressed throughout the season that he would not let his side give up, and they showed that with a brilliant performance in a big game. The victory may not have massive title ramifications, but it shows that this team can still deliver in the big moments, which is a highly encouraging sign for when the Champions League knockouts begin in February.

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The sky is not falling in Manchester. It has been a tough first half of the season, but this is a team of experienced winners that showed up and put in a real performance in one of their biggest domestic tests of 2019/20. When the big moments come in the New Year, this team will be ready.