Erling Haaland scores as Man City snap five-match winless run

Manchester City ended their winless streak in the Premier League on Sunday with a much-needed 2-0 victory over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium, marking Pep Guardiola’s 500th game in charge. Goals from Erling Haaland and Savinho provided the spark City needed to climb to fifth place in the table with 31 points, although they remain 11 points adrift of leaders Liverpool, who still have two games in hand. For Leicester, the result deepened their relegation woes, leaving them in 18th place and desperate for a turnaround as the season progresses. Despite the scoreline, the match was far from a comfortable outing for City, whose defensive frailties and lack of sustained energy were on full display.

Guardiola’s relief was evident as he addressed reporters after the match. “We needed it, all of us,” he admitted to Sky Sports. “Just relief—that is the word to express how all of us feel. We have done incredible things, and now we struggle to win games. So now it’s just relief.” It was a candid reflection from the manager, whose side has found itself uncharacteristically out of rhythm in recent weeks, managing just their second win in 14 games across all competitions. The victory, while vital, underscored the challenges City must overcome to regain their usual dominance in the league and elsewhere.

The breakthrough came in the 21st minute when Savinho, making one of his most impactful appearances for City, pounced on a rebound from Phil Foden’s long-range strike. Leicester goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk did well to parry the initial shot but could only push it into the path of the Brazilian, who fired a clinical finish into the roof of the net from a tight angle. It was a significant moment for Savinho, netting his first goal for the club and offering a glimpse of his potential as a valuable attacking option. The goal brought some composure to City’s play, but Leicester remained a constant threat, particularly on the counterattack.

City’s second goal came in the 74th minute and involved the two standout players of the match. Savinho, fresh from his opener, turned provider when he delivered a looping cross into the box after receiving a pass from Kevin de Bruyne. Haaland, enduring the leanest stretch of his Premier League career with just two goals in his last eight league appearances, rose above the Leicester defense to power a header past Stolarczyk. The goal was a welcome relief for the Norwegian striker, who acknowledged the pressure he has been under. “Things happen, and we have to keep going. We have to stay positive and focus on the right things,” Haaland said after the match. In a heartwarming moment, he urged Guardiola to acknowledge the visiting City fans, whose chants of support rang through the stadium.

While the scoreline suggests a comfortable win for City, the reality was far more nuanced. Leicester began the match brightly and might have taken the lead early on. Jamie Vardy found himself one-on-one with City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega after a swift counterattack, only for the offside flag to spare City when Ortega brought Vardy down in the box. It was a let-off for Guardiola’s side, who looked disorganized and vulnerable in the opening exchanges. Josko Gvardiol nearly handed Leicester a first-half lead with a misplaced header back to Ortega, which was intercepted but ultimately failed to result in a goal. Moments later, Facundo Buonanotte rattled the crossbar with a thunderous strike, serving as a stark reminder of Leicester’s attacking threat.

The second half saw Leicester ramp up the pressure, and City’s defense looked increasingly fragile. James Justin came agonizingly close to equalizing when he got a touch on a cross that seemed destined for the back of the net, only for Manuel Akanji to make a crucial clearance off the line. Vardy, typically clinical in such situations, squandered a golden opportunity when he fired over the bar from close range, much to the frustration of the home fans. Leicester’s profligacy in front of goal ultimately proved their undoing, as City capitalized on their chances while the hosts failed to make their pressure count.

Guardiola acknowledged his team’s struggles, particularly in the latter stages of the match. “It was tight in the second half; they were much better,” he admitted. “We don’t have the energy to sustain 90 minutes. Hopefully, the New Year can help us bounce back.” His comments reflected a broader concern about City’s current form and fitness levels, which have hampered their ability to dominate games as they have in previous seasons. While Guardiola praised the result, he made it clear that his team’s performance left much to be desired. “To get results, you have to do something. To do it in the position we have, many good things happened today. It is not enjoyable right now—it is just relief,” he reiterated.

For Leicester, the result was a bitter disappointment, but manager Ruud van Nistelrooy found positives in his team’s performance. “I wouldn’t do the players credit if I didn’t. We’re professional; we know it’s about results, but we have to look through that because of the performance today,” he told the BBC. The Dutchman emphasized the importance of translating strong performances into results, a challenge his side has struggled to meet this season. His long embrace with Guardiola at the final whistle spoke volumes about the respect between the two managers and the shared understanding of the pressures of elite-level football.

The match highlighted the contrasting fortunes of the two teams. For City, it was a step in the right direction but also a reminder of the work still to be done. Defensive lapses, a lack of sharpness in attack, and an inability to maintain control for the full 90 minutes remain significant concerns. Savinho’s emergence and Haaland’s return to the scoresheet were bright spots, but Guardiola will know that his team must improve if they are to close the gap on Liverpool and reassert themselves as genuine title contenders.

Leicester, meanwhile, can take heart from their resilience and attacking intent, even if the result leaves them in a precarious position. Vardy’s missed chances and the team’s defensive errors proved costly, but van Nistelrooy’s side showed enough fight and quality to suggest they can claw their way out of the relegation zone. The challenge for Leicester will be to build on this performance and find the consistency needed to secure their Premier League status.

As the season approaches its midpoint, both teams face crucial periods that could define their campaigns. For City, the focus will be on rediscovering the dominance and cohesion that have made them one of the most formidable sides in Europe. For Leicester, survival will depend on converting promising performances into tangible results. Sunday's match was a snapshot of their contrasting struggles and aspirations, with relief for one side and frustration for the other.