Manchester City 3-1 Leicester City: 3 reasons why the Citizens won the crucial game| Premier League 2019-20

#1 Manchester City attackers dominated the key battles against Leicester City defenders

Manchester City v Leicester City FC - Premier League

In a game that promised to be an electrifying affair, it was the hosts' frontline that took our breath away.

Mahrez was a force of nature on that right-flank and caused all sorts of problem to Chilwell, who just couldn't figure out a way to deal with the Algerian forward. Mahrez came close to scoring again, not once but twice, after cutting in behind the English defender.

Riyad Mahrez is the first player to produce 10 shots in a single Premier League game so far this season.Letting fly against his former club. pic.twitter.com/mHwXEzitJH

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 21, 2019

Not only did the former Leicester City man get the better of his marker on multiple occasions, De Bruyne too popped up in the space between the central defenders and was especially dominant on the usually reliant Caglar Soyuncu.

Their pace was the main feature that caught the opposition defence off-guard, which was looking tired from their midweek League Cup win against Everton on penalties.

Sterling won the penalty in the first half, following Ricardo Periera's late tackle, but a close analysis of the buildup to the foul indicates that it was the home side top goalscorer's quick feet and movement that forced the error from the right-back.

In all, it was their sublime attacking football that helped the host to cut down the gap between them and Liverpool to 11 points as they wrapped up the game with ease.