Woeful Manchester City defending was seized upon by Leicester City at the Etihad as Jamie Vardy grabbed a hat trick to give Brendan Rodgers three wins out of three in the Premier League.
Pep Guardiola Must Act on Woeful Manchester City Defending Following Leicester Humiliation
Unforgivable Defending Gives Leicester City Three Points
You can be an attacking force with exciting players such as Raheem Sterling and Kevin de Bruyne, but if you cannot defend, you will come unstuck. Missing Sergio Aguero would have given Manchester City less potency in front of goal today but basic errors cost City the points.
Benjamin Mendy , Eric Garcia and Kyle Walker were all outwitted and gave away three penalties. Each time, Leicester City players got goal side of the respective defenders and they could not make a decision other than to haul down the attacking player. Manchester City’s attacking prowess has always managed to hide their defensive frailties but today they were laid bare and it was, at times, embarrassing for Pep Guardiola to watch. With the transfer window coming to a close in the next ten days, Guardiola must address his defence. If he doesn’t, his team will get nowhere near winning the title again this season.
Jamie Vardy – Ageing Like Fine Wine
Remarkably, Jamie Vardy’s hat trick in this match was only his third in the Premier League. Two may have been penalties, but, in between, there was a near post flick which was sublime. It was impudent and Ederson was left with no chance. Vardy worryingly came off with what looked like a hamstring problem but Brendan Rodgers will hope its just a twinge and nothing more.
It is not just his goalscoring that catches the eye though. Vardy takes defenders out of the game with his running and he still has pace in abundance. Leicester City may not play the most striking football but it is simple and it is effective. It is what won the Premier League title in 2016. It is quick, precise and direct. At the Etihad it tore Manchester City apart.
Statement Made By Leicester City
Leicester City fans were treated to vintage Jamie Vardy, but James Maddison’s goal was the pick of the bunch. A hard and curling effort gave Ederson no chance in the Manchester City goal. Youri Tielmans scored the fifth from the spot with Vardy off the pitch and, therefore, unable to take the spot kick.
Leicester will be feeling confident and, whilst 2016 was seen as a one off to many, those in charge at the King Power will be watching on with plenty of promise as Brendan Rodgers leads the Foxes into further glory.
For Manchester City, they must resolve their defensive issues. Everyone can see that they are vulnerable at the back, and if these back four frailties continue, many teams will have a wry smile heading into the Etihad against a vulnerable Manchester City defence.
Main Photo
Embed from Getty Images
