Leicester City 0-1 Manchester City: Lampard strike saves lacklustre Manchester City

A goal from Frank Lampard saved a lacklustre Manchester City side in their 1-0 victory over Leicester City.

Manuel Pellegrini had a crisis before a ball was kicked with striker Edin Dzeko pulling up in the warm up, meaning youngster Jose Pozo was drafted in to start. City had an early chance as Samir Nasri’s costless kick was met by the returning Vincent Kompany at the far post, however no one could meet his subsequent header across goal. Vardy caused the champions problems in the early stages of the tie outpacing Bacary Sagna, but Fernando tracked back well to clear up in the box.

City were reduced to half chances with Toure’s attempt being blocked from a clever costless kick routine. Cambiasso came closest in the 22nd minute when his great costless kick had Joe Hart scrambling across his line, however the ball flew just wide of the post.

Ben Hamer pulled off a great save just after the half hour mark to keep the scores level as David Silva pulled the ball back brilliantly for Yaya Toure, whose close-range effort was brilliantly pushed out by the stand-in goalkeeper.

Six minutes from the break City took a somewhat undeserved lead. Nasri did well to slither his way to by-line before he pulled it back through the legs of Wes Morgan to Lampard who, after adjusting his body, slotted it home for his 175th Premier League goal which put him level with Thierry Henry.

The second period was one of very few chances, Nasri played in Silva but his effort deflected harmlessly wide. There were big calls for a penalty for Mangala’s questionable challenge in the area, but the appeals were waved away.

There were big concerns for City fans when Kompany who had just returned from injury went down with what looked like a hamstring injury. Substitute Ulloa had some good opportunities late on turning well in the area with his deflected effort causing concern for Hart.

Toure showed great strength and trickery to power through numerous opponents but the poor angle resulted in a wayward shot, the Ivorian then showed great vision to pick out the run of Nasri but his shot was straight into the arms of Hamer.

Leicester continued to push for the equaliser right into extra time with the final opportunity falling to Ulloa, Morgan flicked down to the striker but he hit his effort well over the bar.

Leicester City played valiantly against the champions but their lack of goals and their recent form is an ever growing concern for Leicester fans. Manchester City were far from their best this afternoon but did enough to get the three points, they keep the pressure on their closest rivals Chelsea but the injury to Kompany and the absence of Sergio Aguero will be a major blow.