Leicester 0-2 Manchester City: Player ratings as surgical Citizens take another step towards title

Manchester City dominated Leicester City to earn a comfortable 2-0 victory at the King Power stadium on Saturday, inching themselves closer to reclaiming the Premier League title.

The Citizens controlled the game from the off and thought they'd taken the lead early on, but Fernandinho's drive from distance was ruled out, with Sergio Aguero loitering in an offside position in front of Kasper Schmeichel.

Kevin De Bruyne then hit the crossbar with a free kick, as the visitors bossed proceedings, incredibly maintaining 100% of possession over a five-minute spell during the first half. Leicester star Jamie Vardy rounded Ederson in injury-time to coolly slot home, but he mistimed his run, and the assistant referee raised his flag for offside.

Man City drew first blood just before the hour mark, and through an unlikely source. Benjamin Mendy picked up the ball on the left-hand side of the box, and he suavely stepped inside a challenge before curling a shot beyond Schmeichel and into the far corner with his weaker right foot.

The Foxes could do little to loosen Man City's grip on the game, and Gabriel Jesus' late tap-in wrapped up another three points and another clean sheet for the Premier League leaders.

Let's have a look at the player ratings from an entertaining afternoon of football.

LEICESTER CITY PLAYER RATINGS

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Kasper Schmeichel (GK) - 6/10 - Survived scares at the hands of Fernandinho and De Bruyne, although he got nowhere near either effort. Could only find Man City players when passing out from the back. Decent stop to deny Mahrez. Little chance for either goal.

Daniel Amartey (CB) - 6/10 - Compact, and stuck close to Evans as the back line rose and dropped in unison. Caught tucking inside for Mendy's strike, as Man City overloaded the box.

Jonny Evans (CB) - 6/10 - Had a lot of marshalling and organising to do as Man City tried to pull the Foxes from side to side, but kept his troops in line. Could do little to stop the inevitable. Cut open for the second.

Wesley Fofana (CB) - 7/10 - Read Aguero's movement so well, and snapped aggressively into tackles, pinching the ball each time. Gave Jesus no space to operate in the box.

2. WIng-backs & midfielders

Marc Albrighton (RWB) - 5/10 - Used all his experience to escape hairy situations with calm and ease. Sent for a hot dog by Mendy, allowing the Frenchman to shimmy and step inside far too easily. He'll be disappointed.

Youri Tielemans (CM) - 6/10 - Lost possession in the middle to allow Jesus in on goal, but got lucky. Looked off the pace, which is no shame, given how organised and energetic the opposition were.

Ayoze Perez (AM) - 5/10 - A passenger in the midfield, offering nothing going forward and far too lightweight to help out in winning back the ball in midfield.

Wilfred Ndidi (CM) - 6/10 - Couldn't live with Man City's pressing in the midfield, as the visitors swarmed the centre of the pitch. Took a yellow card for the team to stop a dangerous breakaway. Second best.

Timothy Castagne (LWB) - 6/10 - Almost gifted Man City an opener, but Aguero failed to punish him for his loose pass. Overrun in the end.

3. Forwards

Kelechi Iheanacho (ST) - 5/10 - May as well have watched on from the bench at times. Teammates couldn't find him, and he couldn't find any space to get on the ball. Subbed.

Jamie Vardy (ST) - 6/10 - Occasionally tried to win the odd flick-on to get Leicester moving, but there was no one around him. Mistimed his run at the end of the first half, meaning his cool finish was all for nothing.

4. Substitutes

Ricardo Pereira (RWB) - 6/10

James Maddison (AM) - 6/10

Nampalys Mendy (CM) - N/A

MANCHESTER CITY PLAYER RATINGS

5. Goalkeeper & defenders

Ederson (GK) - 6/10 - Hope he brought a sudoku puzzle book onto the pitch with him, because we genuinely never got a glimpse of the shot-stopper in that first half. Equally dull second half for the Brazilian.

Kyle Walker (RB) - 7/10 - Had no defending to do in the first half, flying up the right flank to support Mahrez and fizz in some crosses from the byline. Solid in the second half as Leicester looked to recover.

Ruben Dias (CB) - 8/10 - Led the defence, keeping a strong line to play Vardy offside late in the first half. Surgical. Snaked out a boot to produce a brave block early in the second half.

Aymeric Laporte (CB) - 7/10 - Had one moment of defending to do in the first half, closing the door in Iheanacho's face with pace and power. Imperious, as always.

Benjamin Mendy (LB) - 8/10 - Saw less of the ball as Man City attacked down the right, but was always open to pick up possession. Who saw the finish coming, though? Wonderful composure and a beautiful curler into the far corner.

6. Midfielders

Kevin de Bruyne (CM) - 8/10 - The Belgian's physical strength when running with the ball is an under-appreciated attribute. Irrepressible. Smashed the crossbar with a lovely free kick. Magical through-ball to pre-assist the second. The pass sang as it cut Leicester apart.

Rodri (CM) - 8/10 - Kept Tielemans quiet, reading his movement to good effect and stopping the youngster from getting a proper foothold in the game. Played higher up the pitch too, often overlapping and carrying the ball with intent. Rare footage.

Fernandinho (CM) - 8/10 - Fizzed a fierce effort beyond Schmeichel, but Aguero's positioning meant the strike was worthless. Relentless in winning back possession. So commanding and dominant. So good.

7. Forwards

Riyad Mahrez (RW) - 7/10 - Struggled against a very deep defence, but squandered the best chance of the first half, shooting at the feet of Schmeichel. Somehow missed the target from close range in the second.

Sergio Aguero (ST) - 6/10 - Caught in front of Schmeichel when Fernandinho drove home, and the goal was disallowed. Slashed at a volley and blazed over. Just not his day. Subbed.

Gabriel Jesus (LW) - 7/10 - A nice little flick with the back-heel to set Mahrez free in the box, but to no avail. Fired high and wide from a good position soon after. Selfless to supply Sterling, and ruthless to then tuck it away.

8. Substitutes

Raheem Sterling (LW) - 7/10

Ferran Torres (RW) - 6/10

Phil Foden (CM) - N/A