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Manchester City took another big step to become Premier League champions once again after comfortably beating Leicester City on their own patch.
The goals of Benjamin Mendy and Gabriel Jesús closed the three points for Pep Guardiola’s men, which makes them move 11 points away from claiming another top-flight title.
Sportsmail’s IAN WHITTELL took a look at both sets of players during their showdown on Saturday night.
Leicester City (3-4-1-2)
Kasper Schmeichel – 5.5
Terrible kicks added to Leicester’s problems as they were locked in for long periods, but they did make some good reflex stops.
Daniel Amartey – 6
Fearless display and threw himself in the way of many City attacks, but struggled with his mobile and smart game forward.
Jonny Evans – 6
He needed all his experience to organize his overloaded defense. His positional sense and his knowing how they got him out of tough situations.
Wesley Fofana – 5.5
A high-level youngster fought hard against Mahrez, but was unable to cope with City’s aggressive pressure on the ball.
Marc Albrighton – 4.5
He spent most of the game as a right back on a five, rather than a midfield winger. He could have done more to stop Mendy before his shot.
Wilfred Ndidi – 6
He scored a foul on De Bruyne, one of several, and seemed overwhelmed by the midfield from Fernandinho and City.
Youri Tielemans – 7
His shot in the 48th minute forced Ederson to make his first save and another effort was blocked shortly after, rare moments of creativity he could muster.
Timothy Chestnuts – 6
A poor clearance almost led to a goal, as it was blocked by Mahrez, but made a real change of defensive work from the wing.
Ayoze Perez – 6
Like his entire team, he was used primarily in defensive mode, but his good pass prepared Vardy for his disallowed “goal”.
Kelechi Iheanacho – 5.5
Armed with a new contract announced before kick-off, he was a virtual spectator but led a great break that set Tielemans up after the break.
Jamie Vardy – 7
Little service, but he showed what he was capable of with a great shot for a canceled first half. He worked tirelessly.
Substitutes
Ricardo Pereira for Albrighton 71mins – 5
James Maddison for Iheanacho 71mins – 5
Nampalys Mendy for Ndidi 83mins
Subs (not used): Ward, Choudhury, Praet, Thomas, Daley-Campbell, Suengchitthawon
Manchester City (4-1-2-3)
Ederson – 6.5
He went for long periods with literally nothing to do, but was alert when occasionally forced to act.
Kyle Walker – 9
With Leicester seated, he had plenty of room to show off his incredible passing range and showed perfect concentration on defense.
Ruben Dias – 7.5
He made a great block to deflect a rare shot from Tielemans behind and dealt with it easily on the rare occasion when Leicester came out of his half.
Aymeric Laporte – 7
Impeccable deployment of the central half, which had to be wary of Leicester at the counter. Solid and disciplined.
Benjamin Mendy – 7.5
Improbable scorer of the first goal, with a rare right-hand shot, but deserved by a solid performance in which he made a great contribution to the attack.
Fernandinho – 8
He hit a brilliant long shot that was discarded early and led midfield as the only man in front of City’s four defenders.
Kevin De Bruyne – 8.5
He hit the crossbar with a sensational free kick, one of many brilliant set pieces, and the pass was as incomparable as ever, influencing both goals.
Rodri – 7.5
He played more advanced than usual, but added a rock-solid presence to midfield and also looked enthusiastic in the final third.
Riyad Mahrez – 6.5
The former Fox had a couple of good starts, a direct hit on Schmeichel, but his second-half shot, saved by Schmeichel, led to the first game.
Sergio Aguero – 5
In the week he announced he was leaving, he showed that he still lacks his usual sharpness. He blew his best chance wide and substituted early.
Gabriel Jesus – 8
He meekly made a grand opening to the goalkeeper, but showed some nice touches in and around the area before claiming a well deserved goal.
Substitutes
Raheem Sterling for Agüero 62mins – 7
Ferran Torres for Mahrez 78mins – 6
Phil Foden for De Bruyne 88mins
Subs (not used): Stones, Ake, Gundogan, Silva, Cancelo, Carson.
Referee: Anthony Taylor – 6
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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