EPL Match Report: Manchester City 1-0 Leicester City

Vincent Kompany’s world-class strike from range handed Manchester City all three points at the Etihad on Monday night, as the Citizens claimed all three points against a stubborn Leicester City unit with a hard-fought 1-0 victory to move atop the Premier League standings.

City’s 1-0  victory might as well prove to be the defining moment of the title race, as a victory for Liverpool over Wolves on the final day would not be enough for Jurgen Klopp’s side to claim their first domestic title in 28 years. The Citizens are undoubtedly the outright favourites against Brighton away from home and few would argue against them outclassing the Seagulls.

The Citizens came into the game knowing that the title race was evenly poised and they had to bag all three points against Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester City, with the Foxes being the last real impediment in their successful title defence.

They had to work really hard to break down a stubborn Burnley side away from home in their last game, with Sergio Aguero coming to their rescue with a second-half goal of fine margins.

Having beaten the Citizens 2-1 on their home turf in the reverse fixture earlier in the season, Leicester had the psychological edge heading into the penultimate game of the campaign, but the Foxes failed to contain their opposition this time around.

Man City were the undisputed favourites but they found life difficult against a Leicester side that were not prepared to throw in the towel, knowing that they themselves needed a victory to keep their Europa League hopes alive.

Sergio Aguero’s header came off the underside of the crossbar before Kasper Schmeichel scrambled the ball away to safety. Mike Dean looked at his watch for any vibrations but it became clear that the ball hadn’t crossed the line.

Leicester absorbed the pressure really well in front of a raucous crowd at the Etihad. Wilfried Ndidi and Hamza Choudhury did a fantastic job in deep midfield to close down the spaces, while Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans put up a strong defensive performance.

Both the teams failed to break the deadlock in the first half and the Foxes continued to frustrate the hosts in the second half as well, before Aguero had a clear glimpse of goal. An awkward moment from Evans allowed the talisman to run clear through on goal but Schmeichel pulled off another remarkable save to keep the Citizens at bay.

When Ilkay Gundogan blazed his shot tantalisingly wide of the post, many would have felt that City were going to bottle it in the title race. However, it was Vincent Kompany, who rose to the occasion and came up with the defining moment of the game, if not, of his illustrious Man City career.

The 32-year-old Belgian unleashed a powerful strike from the tip of his right boot at the 70th minute mark to send the ball past the outstretched fingers of Kasper Schmeichel and into the top corner of the net, sparking off wild celebrations amongst the fans at the Etihad, who knew how crucial a strike that could prove to be in the context of the title race.

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Kelechi Iheanacho had a gilt-edged chance to draw level for Leicester but he scuffed his shot and Man City held on their slender advantage to make sure that they already have one hand on the trophy heading into the final match week.

Twitter Reactions from Man City Fans

Aguero: Don’t shoot, don’t shoot!
Bernardo Silva: Pass the ball
Yaya Toure in Kompany: Hit it hard…!!#MCILEIpic.twitter.com/9yiXllXCcc
— Gary Vineger (@GaryVineger) May 6, 2019

Captain America saved the world from Thanos. Captain Kompany saved us from something just as bad … Liverpool fans #MCILEI
— 🦁 (@ahanna_10) May 6, 2019

“And thats when we almost won the league title” #MCILEI pic.twitter.com/xdKuqq2lf8
— –Gh0ost_ ♣️ (@Gh0ost__) May 6, 2019

Vincent Kompany is the kind of captain Arsenal used to have, like Adams & Vieira.
A leader, a warrior, an inspirer, a man the others follow over the trench, again & again.
Magnificent player, incredible goal. That’s how you win Titles. #MCILEI live @VincentKompany
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) May 6, 2019

VINCENT KOMPANY WITH A ROCKET 🚀🚀🚀 #MCILEI #Leicester #ManCity pic.twitter.com/EyoNfEp0UP
— Mesut (@Tvvittergod1) May 6, 2019

In case Liverpool fans missed Kompany’s goal #MCILEI #ManCity pic.twitter.com/iyqpYTo0U8
— 𝖉𝖉 (@ddnainggolan) May 6, 2019

Kompany’s goal sounds better with Titanic music. #MCILEI
RT so a Liverpool fan will sing along😂😂 pic.twitter.com/3BRIgbhC6V
— Omoniyi Israel (@omoissyy) May 6, 2019

FULL-TIME | Hero, captain, @VincentKompany 😍

🔵 1-0 🦊 #MCILEI #mancity pic.twitter.com/KiKA1KvEGD— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 6, 2019