Haaland Scores as Manchester City Return to Winning Ways Against Leicester

Pep Guardiola marked his 500th match as Manchester City boss with a 2-0 win over Leicester City, as Savinho and Erling Haaland scored the goals.

Pep Guardiola's 500th match in charge of Manchester City ended in a welcome 2-0 victory over Leicester City, but the manager's emotions were more relief than jubilation. The win marked a return to winning ways for Manchester City, who had gone five league games without a triumph.

The three points propelled Manchester City to a provisional fifth place in the Premier League standings, but they still trail leaders Liverpool by a significant margin. The reigning champions are 11 points adrift of Liverpool, who also hold a two-game advantage, leaving Manchester City with a substantial gap to bridge in their pursuit of the title.

Brazilian forward Savinho marked his first goal in a Manchester City shirt in the first half, providing a crucial breakthrough. City then weathered a storm of Leicester chances before Erling Haaland sealed the win, giving the visitors some much-needed breathing space.

Haaland's goal served as a timely confidence booster, as the Norwegian striker had been experiencing a rare dry spell, scoring just twice in his last eight league games – the toughest stretch of his Premier League career so far. “Sometimes Erling has been judged badly, but it's part of football,” Pep Guardiola noted in Haaland's defense. “He's tired, he's played a lot of minutes. He's become a father for the first time in the last few days, a lot of emotions and an exciting few days for him.”

“We needed it. All of us. It was not the ideal performance but hopefully the victories will give our mood a better position.

“For the result we have to do something. If you don't perform, the results won't come. Now, in the position we are in, the results are the most important thing, to get points and help our minds. We have another game at home next and many good things happened today.”

Brazilian forward Savinho marked his first goal in a Manchester City shirt in the first half, providing a crucial breakthrough. City then weathered a storm of Leicester chances before Erling Haaland sealed the win, giving the visitors some much-needed breathing space.

Haaland's goal served as a timely confidence booster, as the Norwegian striker had been experiencing a rare dry spell, scoring just twice in his last eight league games – the toughest stretch of his Premier League career so far. “Sometimes Erling has been judged badly, but it's part of football,” Pep Guardiola noted in Haaland's defense. “He's tired, he's played a lot of minutes. He's become a father for the first time in the last few days, a lot of emotions and an exciting few days for him.”

Erling Haaland highlighted that Manchester City have a rare break in their schedule, with their next match not until Saturday when they host West Ham United. This brief respite comes as a welcome relief after a grueling stretch of games.

Haaland acknowledged the challenges his team has faced, but emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive mindset. “It has been a difficult time. Things happen and we have to keep going, we have to stay positive and focus on the right things,” Haaland said. He also looked forward to the brief break, saying, “Now it's New Year, so don't think too much about football... I think it's the longest time in a pretty long period, and now we can rest a little bit and go again.”