MAN CITY 2, LEICESTER CITY 1
Manchester City rode their luck in beating Leicester City to almost guarantee a top-four finish in the Premier League.
Pep Guardiola’s City could easily have squandered vital points had two key decisions in the game not gone their way.
City’s opening goal should not have stood as Raheem Sterling was initially offside when Leroy Sane crossed from the left and certainly became active moments later when he swung a boot and tried to get a touch to David Silva’s goalbound shot.
The second moment of good fortune came with 14 minutes left when Leicester were awarded a penalty and a chance to make it 2-2.
Riyad Mahrez found the net, but slipped when about to strike the ball and touched the ball twice, something referee Robert Madley spotted as did beaten goalkeeper Willy Caballero.
And in a game when the margins were so fine, City enjoyed a slice of good fortune to strengthen their hold on a Champions League place.
But it was a far from vintage display by City against a Leicester side that was without three of their mainstays.
Guardiola admitted his side was not at its best saying their last pass was lacking while they also missed chances.
He said: “The players are only human and cannot play well all the time, but I am happy with the win.
“In the last two months Leicester have gained enough points to be in the Champions League, and they are a top, top team.”
Guardiola added referee Madley was “brave” in disallowing Mahrez’s penalty for two touches.
He said: “When Mahrez shot I realised it was strange and when I saw the reaction of Willy (Caballero) realised it was two touches and the referee was so brave.
“I have seen it happen twice before a long time ago on television, but never live at a game.”
Craig Shakespeare, Leicester’s interim manager, had no arguments about Mahrez’s penalty being disallowed, but he claimed encroachment by the City players so technically a retake ought to have been ordered.
Shakespeare added City’s first goal should have been ruled out saying: “Sterling raised his foot a couple of feet to try and make contact so by the letter of the law it was a clear offside.
“I want support for referees through television replays without wanting to see the game stop start, but that was a crucial decision that went against us.”
Shakespeare praised the spirit and togetherness of his side after falling 2-0 behind saying they asked a lot of questions of City.
City were unchanged for the first time in the Premier League this season as Guardiola went with the side that started in the 5-0 home win against Crystal Palace.
Top scorer Sergio Aguero, back from injury, was on the bench while Yaya Toure was celebrating his 34th birthday.
Leicester were up against it as regular centre backs Robert Huth and Wes Morgan were ruled out through injury as was key midfielder Danny Drinkwater.
The Foxes had, however, a great record against City having lost only twice in their previous seven matches.
It looked to be City’s lowest home league gate, something caused by the clash with the women’s team who were playing Birmingham City at Wembley later in the day.
City had a great chance to take the lead after only three minutes when Fernandinho headed wide from Sane’s corner. He was only seven yard out and ought to have found the net as he was completely free.
Leicester’s high pressing game prevented City from imposing themselves on the game.
City’s next big chance in the 19th minute came when Silva set up Sane who dragged his shot wide.
De Bruyne and Sane had goal attempts before the breakthrough came in the 29th minute, albeit controversially.
Sane’s cross from the left was converted by Silva for his eighth goal of the season.
But Leicester claimed Sterling was offside and also obscuring the view of keeper Kasper Schmeichel. And replays showed Leicester had a case as Sterling took a swing at Silva’s shot.
City made it 2-0 after 36 minutes through a Jesus penalty after Sane was scythed down by Yohan Benalouane who was booked.
The Brazilian netted his fifth goal for City in only his ninth appearance.
Leicester halved the deficit three minutes before the break with one of the best goals seen at the Etihad this season.
The Japanese international met Marc Albrighton’s cross with the sweetest of left-foot volleys from the penalty spot that flew into the top corner of the net.
It was Okazaki’s first goal in 24 games, and what a way to end the drought.
The second half lacked spark as both sides cancelled out each other.
Leicester’s Albrighton was in the wars getting a bloody nose followed by a flaying elbow from Fernandinho that left him with a swollen cheek.
Leicester had a chance to make it 2-2 when they were awarded a spot kick when Mahrez was tripped by Gael Clichy.
Mahrez slipped when taking the spot kick and, though he found the net, he touched the ball twice so the goal was disallowed. It was his second penalty miss of the season.
City made two substitutions on quick succession as Sterling and De Bruyne were replaced by Aguero and Pablo Zabaleta.
And despite a surprising nine-and-a-half minutes of stoppage time – seven were initially signalled – City held on and Leicester never looked like finding a second goal.