leicester city vs man city

Pep Guardiola celebrated 500 games in charge of Manchester City with a nervy win over Leicester.

Savinho and Erling Haaland gave the floundering defending champions just a second win in their last 10 Premier League games.

It was still not enough to lift them back into the top four, instead leaving them fifth and 11 points behind leaders Liverpool before the Reds' trip to West Ham later on Sunday.

Guardiola had promised not to give up amid the worst run of his managerial career but the visitors lived dangerously at the King Power Stadium with Jamie Vardy twice going close and Facundo Buonanotte hitting the post for the Foxes.

Confidence clearly needs to be rebuilt at City but it was good enough to beat a Leicester side who are fading after a promising start under Ruud van Nistelrooy.

It is now four straight defeats for the Foxes and five in seven games since Steve Cooper was sacked in November which leaves them in the relegation zone.

Vardy had the hosts' best first-half chance, thwarted by Stefan Ortega after Josko Gvardiol's mistake, before Buonanotte's header rebounded off the post but by then they were already trailing to Savinho's 21st-minute goal - his first for City.

Goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk, who denied Haaland early, parried Phil Foden's shot and winger Savinho fired in high from six yards.

Leicester still sensed they could exploit City's brittle backline and James Justin came close to a second-half leveller, only for Manuel Akanji to hack clear.

Vardy - who also hit the bar late on - then fired over from six yards before Haaland ended any hopes of a comeback, heading in Savinho's cross with 16 minutes left.

Our mood is in a better position. It was tight in the second half, they were much better,” City manager Guardiola told Sky Sports.

“We don’t have energy to sustain 90 minutes. Hopefully, the New Year can help us bounce back.

“To get results you have to do something. To do it in the position we have, many good things happened today.

“It is not enjoyable right now it is just relief. We have done incredible things for many years.

“It is not the best.”

Good to win. I’m just happy we are winning,” Haaland told Sky Sports.

“It is important to look ahead. We have to focus on the right things.

“It is always a relief when you score. It was an important goal to go 2-0 up. Leicester played really well, we knew it would be difficult. It’s been a difficult time.

“Now it’s New Year so let’s not think too much about football! We can rest a bit and then we go again.”

Recap: Man City beat lowly Leicester for first win in five league games

Savinho and Erling Haaland scored to give Manchester City a much-needed 2-0 victory over Leicester City at King Power Stadium on Sunday, the champions’ first win in five Premier League games.

City’s second win in 14 games across all competitions meant they climbed two spots to fifth place in the standings with 31 points, 11 behind leaders Liverpool who have two games in hand. Leicester remain in the danger zone in 18th place.

Savinho netted his first goal for City in the 21st minute when he pounced on a rebound from Phil Foden’s long shot after Leicester goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk pushed the ball into his path. The Brazilian fired into the roof of the net from a tight angle.

Haaland, who has just two goals in eight league games, doubled City’s lead in the 74th minute when he headed home a looping cross from Savinho.

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ST. mirren vs rangers 

Rangers' lackluster Scottish Premiership campaign continued at St Mirren, where a stunning stoppage-time goal from Caolan Boyd-Munce left Philippe Clement's team trailing 12 points behind leaders Celtic as they concluded Boxing Day.

Despite hopes that the Ibrox club had made progress, suffering their first defeat in four years in Paisley represents a significant setback for the visitors.

The opening half was uneventful, but Jack Butland's careless foul on Greg Kiltie led to Oisin Smyth converting the resulting penalty, sending the former England goalkeeper the wrong way.

The tenacity, intensity, and defensive organization displayed by Stephen Robinson's squad were commendable against a Rangers team that produced a disappointing first-half performance.

However, the introduction of Nicolas Raskin and Danilo at halftime significantly elevated the visitors' performance, with Danilo equalizing from close range shortly after being denied by goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe.

Despite a marked improvement in the second half, Clement's side was unable to take the lead, and they ultimately saw one point slip away when substitute Boyd-Munce struck a spectacular goal from 20 yards in the 93rd minute.

This remarkable victory for St Mirren propels the hosts to fifth place in the Premiership.

Rangers' lackluster Scottish Premiership campaign continued at St Mirren, where Caolan Boyd-Munce's stunning stoppage-time goal ensured that Philippe Clement's team concluded Boxing Day trailing leaders Celtic by 12 points.

Despite hopes that the Ibrox club had made progress, suffering their first defeat in four years in Paisley represents a significant setback for the visitors.

The opening half was uneventful, but Jack Butland's careless foul on Greg Kiltie led to Oisin Smyth converting the subsequent penalty, sending the former England goalkeeper the wrong way.

The tenacity, intensity, and defensive organization displayed by Stephen Robinson's squad were commendable against a Rangers team that produced a lackluster first-half performance.

However, the introduction of Nicolas Raskin and Danilo at halftime significantly elevated the visitors' performance, with Danilo equalizing from close range shortly after being denied by goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe.

Despite a marked improvement in the second half, Clement's side was unable to take the lead, and they ultimately saw one point slip away when substitute Boyd-Munce struck a remarkable goal from 20 yards in the 93rd minute.

This notable victory for St Mirren propels the hosts to fifth place in the Premiership.

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