Substitute Gabriel Jesus scored a late winner as second-placed Manchester City claimed a hard-fought victory at the King Power Stadium.
Match Report
Gabriel Jesus came off the bench to spare strike partner Sergio Aguero's blushes following his penalty miss as Manchester City earned a late 1-0 win over Leicester City.
Kasper Schmeichel had already frustrated the visitors on a number of occasions in Saturday's clash prior to keeping out Aguero's 62nd-minute spot-kick.
But just as Leicester looked to be heading for a third draw in a row, substitute Jesus - brought on for Aguero - clinically converted 10 minutes from time at the King Power Stadium.
A second win in a row for City in what has been a difficult period off the field ensures they have a seven-point gap over third-placed Leicester, who hit the post through Jamie Vardy early on in their best chance.
EPL Standings
Match Events
8' CLOSE! Vardy hits the post
Leicester quickly counter-attack again and this time Tielmans manages to slip Vardy through on goal with a delightful throughball! Vardy approaches Ederson confidently before curling a shot past the onrushing goalkeeper that dribbles towards goal before clipping the post and rolling to safety!
39' Iheanacho hurts after collision
Iheanacho is left requiring treatment after Ederson clatters into him in pursuit of Maddison's lofted throughball. Peculiarly, there are few complaints about a foul from Leicester: Iheanacho got to the pass first and Ederson recklessly crashed into him - nevertheless, play will resume with a corner.
46' Disallowed! Aguero scores but the goal is offside
Manchester City spring away on the counter-attack with De Bruyne, who carefully slips Aguero through on goal where he curls a delightful shot beyond Schmeichel. However, the flag was raised early and the goal is ruled out for offside.
53' Schmeichel stops De Bruyne with decent save
Manchester City find space in attack for the first time in this half and they capitalise as Mahrez slips a pass through to De Bruyne who drives at the heart of the Leicester defence before hitting a powerful, low effort that Schmeichel does well to tip wide at the near post!
62' Penalty Missed! (Aguero)
A corner is cleared out towards Gundogan who lashes a shot from the edge of the area that flicks off Praet's arm and away! Initially the referee waves play on, but VAR intervenes and awards a penalty!
Aguero steps up confidently but blasts his effort down the middle and Schmeichel readjusts his dive to block it away to safety!
64' AGAIN! Schmeichel denies Aguero's effort
Undeterred by the penalty save, Aguero pounces on a loose ball in the area before skipping past Soyuncu and thundering a dangerous effort into the side-netting from close range!
80' GOAL! Leicester 0-1 Man City (Jesus)
The away side spring forward on the breakthrough Mahrez, who drives at the heart of the Leicester defence, before slipping Jesus in behind at an angle, where he takes a touch before slotting a composed finish beyond Schmeichel at the near post!
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