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#3 Counter-attacking Leicester City a force to be reckoned with
Leicester City had a flying start in 2019/20 and looked nailed on to finish in the top three, let alone the top four, for a majority of the campaign. They rarely fell out of the top three spots from November all the way until the post-lockdown period. However, Leicester's European ambitions fell through after a poor string of results, which culminated with a home defeat to Manchester United on the final day.
This year, they began the new campaign as undisputedly the most in-form team in the league after three emphatic victories. The Foxes have scored a staggering 12 goals in three games, conceding just four in the process, as they look to break into the top four for only the second time since their promotion.
Their counterattacking gameplan was suited perfectly to Manchester City's approach, and they looked lethal in transitions, leaving no hope for the hosts. The Foxes showed that there was a method to their madness and were ruthless after turnovers anywhere on the pitch.
With smart additions in the market, different profiles of players to choose from for different opposition and an impressive squad, Rodgers's men look like they are a force to be reckoned with once again this year.
#2 Manchester City's defensive woes continue
For the large part, Manchester City's defensive record last year appeared to be somewhat of a false image. On paper according to the league table, they boasted the second-best defensive record in the Premier League (conceded 35 in 38 games) only behind champions Liverpool. However, there is more to what meets the eye.
The Cityzens' defence has crumbled time and again last year as they cost them wins, such as their outings against Wolves, Norwich City, and other games during which their defence capitulated, much like they did today.
Manchester City were in talks to sign €70m-rated Kalidou Koulibaly, the man tipped to be the solution to their defensive problems. However, they are yet to make a marquee defensive signing, with Ruben Dias being another name linked with a move.
Despite this, the defence that started the game costed a total that is just shy of £150m, and will be remembered as the first-ever Guardiola backline that conceded five goals in a league game. The personnel can only be faulted to an extent, and there is a feeling that the players aren't the only reason for their shambolic defensive record.
#1 Jamie Vardy's having a party
This chant was made famous during Leicester City's famous title win under Claudio Ranieri when their talismanic leader Jamie Vardy was simply unstoppable. Fast forward five years and Vardy, who turns 34 come January, is still as deadly as ever in the box and was the chief tormentor for Guardiola's City on the occasion. He became the only man to score two hat-tricks against the Catalans' side, with Leo Messi being the only other player to have even one of them.
The Englishman was ruthless with his finishing, effortlessly converting two spot-kicks either side of half-time and pulling off a sublime piece of skill for his second goal after Timothy Castagne's arrowed ball into the box.
Vardy's second penalty was the 18th spot-kick he won in the Premier League, which is just one shy of the all-time record currently held by Raheem Sterling. The 33-year-old is now the joint-highest scorer in this year's Premier League campaign along with compatriot Dominic Calvert-Lewin and has scored five goals with five shots on target.
Vardy will be crucial for Leicester's top-four push and in their hunt for a first European trophy this year. Going by today's evidence, the Premier League winner is raring to rise to the occasion. Jamie Vardy really is having a party.
Also read: 5 Most valuable defensive midfielders in the world
