City bossed the game from start to finish, with the relegation-threatened visitors unable to respond and opting instead for damage limitation.
With the game as good as won by the break, the return of Oscar Bobb after a near-eight month lay-off was arguably the highlight of a largely uneventful second period.
What happened
City wasted no time in taking control of proceedings.
With less than two minutes on the clock, a superb driving run by Jeremy Doku saw the Belgian find Savinho in the box – it looked like the pass had been slightly overhit, but the Brazilian kept the ball in before picking out Grealish who swept home a low shot past keeper Mads Hermansen to make it 1-0.
It was the perfect start for the Blues – and for Grealish, playing in an attacking central role, it was especially sweet given the stop-start nature of his season.
If an avalanche of goals was expected to follow, it didn’t, as the visitors recovered well enough to come within a whisker of levelling just past the 20-minute mark as
Bilal El Khannouss curled a shot inches wide from 18 yards out.
It was a rare sortie forward by the Foxes, but proof that no Premier League game is ever a given.
City always looked in complete control, but with only a goal to show for our efforts, the contest looked closer than it actually was – until the 29th minute when the score-line was doubled.
Ruben Dias tried to pick out Nico O’Reilly in the box, but it looked like an easy claim for Hermansen – the Leicester keeper, however, got it horribly wrong as he spilled the ball into the path of Omar Marmoush who thumped a 15-yard shot in off the underside of the crossbar to make it 2-0.
Doku was unlucky not to win a penalty not long after as he appeared to be caught by a late tackle in the box and Marmoush and Savinho could have scored again before the teams went in at the break with City a couple of goals to the good.
The second-half saw City probing and dominating for long periods - Ederson was a virtual bystander throughout - but the clearcut chances were few and far between.
The return of the popular Oscar Bobb five minutes from time livened up the final few minutes of a game that failed to really spark - but the result was crucial.
Teams
CITY: Ederson, Nunes, Dias (C), Gvardiol (Reis 90+2), O’Reilly, Nico, Gundogan (Lewis 90+1), Savinho (Bobb 85), Grealish, Doku (McAtee 78), Marmoush
Subs: Ortega Moreno, Kovacic, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Foden
LEICESTER CITY: Hermansen, Justin, Faes, Coady, Kristiansen (Okoli 60), Thomas, Soumare (Ricardo 76) Ndidi, El Khanouss (Buonanotte 60) Daka (Ayew 80), Vardy (Skipp 46)
Subs: Stolarczyk, Coulibaly, , De Cordova-Reid, Mavididi
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Man of the Match
Jack Grealish edged the honours on a night when it also could have been Savinho, Marmoush or Doku.
His early goal set the tone for the evening and he could have had another - plus a possible penalty - on a productive night for our No.10.
What it means…
City leapfrog Chelsea into fourth spot in the Premier League table, though the West Londoners have played a game less.
Newcastle United remain hot on the Blues’ heels in fifth place after beating Brentford this evening and have also played one game fewer than City.
City’s goal difference has improved as a result of our win over the Foxes and is currently better than both Newcastle and Chelsea – a factor that could be significant in the season’s final standings.
What’s next?
It’s the Manchester derby on Sunday with United hosting City at Old Trafford.
The Premier League clash of the Manchester clans kicks off at 16:30 (UK), with much more than just pride at stake.
The Blues are locked in a battle for a top four (or possibly top five) finish and Champions League football qualification.
Ruben Amorim’s transitioning United side will want to scupper that bid and complete a league double after their smash and grab 2-1 win at the Etihad earlier in the campaign.
O’Reilly impresses again
Though it’s fair to say Nico O’Reilly will face sterner tests in his Premier League career, what he had to do against Leicester he did well.
The Academy graduate cuts a powerful figure down the left, a position he is of course relatively new to.
And it takes time to build up understandings with the players in front of you when playing as a full-back, but he is looking increasingly assured with each passing appearance and his overall contribution will have delighted his manager.
BOBB RETURNS - AT LAST!
Oscar Bobb’s appearance on the touchline to warm up certainly caught the attention of the 51,983 Etihad crowd.
The Norwegian’s popularity is unquestioned, with City fans denied his talents since last August following a leg fracture.
A dynamic winger, Bobb offers something different for Pep Guardiola at a crucial period of the season - and with Erling Haaland out for several weeks with injury, the timing of his long-awaited return could not be better.
The ovation he received as he came off the bench on 85 minutes will be motivation enough for the young forward to end the campaign on a high.
Grealish reaction
“I know myself that I could score more, but I know I give a lot more than just scoring.
“My highest ever tally in goals is about eight in a season. I was never brought here to score 20 or 30 goals a season.
“I think even when I was at Villa the year before I was brought here I scored six goals. Listen, I’ve never been one of these people who score constantly.
“Obviously I’d love to score, there’s not many better feelings. But I feel like I offer a lot more to the team than just scoring. I was happy to score tonight.”
Pep Guardiola reaction
On Oscar Bobb’s return...
“It was long because he was injured and not recovered the way that we expected. It’s [been] a long time.
“Before Chelsea in the first Premier League game, he was unfortunately injured.
“He cannot forget the warmth from our people, it was really nice. He is a top, talented player. His pressing and rhythm.
“Unfortunately now we are in a period where minutes are difficult but we are really pleased he’s back and played a few minutes.
“I would like to bring him on earlier but at 2-0 the game is not over so I decided for later.”
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