'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Manchester City summed up their week on a high note as they beat Leicester City 1-0 to pile more pressure on the table toppers Chelsea. Despite their morale boosting mid-week triumph against AS Roma, City had to dig deep and eke out a laborious win.They are now at 36 points, still three behind Chelsea.
The solitary goal came at the near end of the first half when Samir Nasri was released on the left flank who pulled back for Lampard. Without a moment of hestitation, Lampard calmly flicked it home past hamer which turned out to be the ultimate winner.This was Lampard’s 175th goal in the Premiere League, placing him fourth alongside Thierry Henry on the all-time scorers list.
However the win came out with some casualty too as both Edin Dzeko and Vincent Kompany got injured. Dzeko had a pull in his calf-muscle during the warm-up whereas Kompany too, in his comeback match from injury, seemed to have pulled his hamstring.
Young Spaniard Angel Pozo made his full debut in place of Dzeko whereas Yaya and Silva both returned to the starting fold.
Leicester, a team languishing at the bottom of the table took the first initiative through a free-kick in the 22nd minute. Argentinian Esteban Cambiasso curled a shot from 30 yards but went inches wide off the post. Leicester forward James Vardy put up a decent show and constantly troubled Eliaquim Mangala with his pace and direct runs.
City soon gathered pace and possession after a slow start as a result of which they eked out a goal in the 39th minute. Nasri’s cut-back found Lampard at the right place to sweep it into the net.
In the second half City controlled the tempo of the game with maximum possession. Leicester tried hard but lacked the killer ball in the final third.City too produced a subdued performance but withstood the lead till the end to pocket all three points.
Manchester City 1-0 Leicester City: Lampard (40’)
