Manchester City 3 Leicester City 1: City Are Back

Sometimes this season it has seemed as though something has been missing from Manchester City.

In some games Manchester City have looked to have been usurped by a tribute act, a side that looks like Manchester City but seemed to be missing some key ingredients. Like a strange karaoke version of City, they have at times toiled and laboured whereas in the past they would have flown.

In recent games some of those missing ingredients have returned and City have looked to be back to the height of their powers.

Against Leicester, City put in their best performance of the season to pull off an excellent result, which was capped by some fine individual displays.

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Pep Guardiola lined up again with a team which was set up as 4-2-3-1 in possession and 4-4-2 when defending. The big surprise was that Rodri was dropped from the defensive midfield role, with Ilkay Gundogan partnered with a deep lying Bernardo Silva.

Bernardo was back to his best in this central position and had licence to roam forward. His quick feet and tenacious tackle, set the pace for much of the match.

Things started much as expected. City dominated the ball and the attacking play and then conceded a goal to a quick counter attack as Ben Chilwell released Jamie Vardy who finished by chipping over the onrushing Ederson from a tight angle.

However, City reacted to this by pushing on in search of an equaliser and it came pretty quickly. Riyad Mahrez was in menacing form, particularly in the first half, and he cut inside and unleashed a low shot which clipped the heel of a Leicester defender and snuck past Kapspar Schmeichel.

City continued to dominate and went close a couple of times before Raheem Sterling was upended in the penalty area for a clear and obvious penalty, which even VAR could not rule out.

Ilkay Gundogan stepped up and slotted home to preserve his 100% penalty record and City went into the half time break having come back from a goal behind.

The second half really became the Kevin De Bruyne show as he rampaged around the pitch, showing vision and accuracy. Leicester continued to put up a spirited display but City were determined not to concede again.

Leicester had their chances, but City stood up to the challenge well. The game needed another goal to be safe and as expected, De Bruyne was the architect.

He broke through on the right and skipped past players before cutting the ball back from the goal line, Gabriel Jesus slid in at the far post and City had their 3rd goal of the match.

City actually continued to probe looking for another goal. Guardiola began to rotate his personnel and the game finished. I woulld have been happy to watch another hour of this, so good was the performance.

There was an intensity back for City which was great to see. They chased every lost ball and closed down and pressed. This harrying elevated our whole performance and lead to a deserved victory.

Having City back in form at the start of the busy festive period of fixtures is a joy. As a fan, all we ask is that the side plays well and entertains. Today we were blessed. Revenge over Wolves looms in our next game and after the humiliating home defeat which derailed our season, will be a pleasure. Bring it on.