Benjamin Mendy impressed as Manchester City grabbed a 2-0 win over Leicester City to take another step towards clinching the Premier League title.

Manchester City were the better of the two sides in the first half, but chances came few and far between in the opening 45 minutes. The second period started slowly as well before Benjamin Mendy broke the deadlock ahead of the hour mark with a moment of brilliance, as he scored with his weaker right foot from inside the Leicester box.

The hosts then pushed for an equaliser which never came, before Manchester City put the game to bed in the 74th minute courtesy of Gabriel Jesus, who had the simplest of tap-ins to score after being set up by Raheem Sterling. With the Premier League title in their sights, The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over Pep Guardiola’s men as well as Brendan Rodgers & co.

Leicester City

Kasper Schmeichel: 6/10

Not much that Schmeichel could have done for either goal that Manchester City scored, first being beaten by a marvellous finish by Benjamin Mendy before Gabriel Jesus scored from point-blank range. A frustrating evening for the Leicester skipper.

Daniel Amartey: 5/10

A surprise pick in the absence of Caglar Soyuncu, Amartey struggled for several parts of the game, although he did make some critical interventions. Having said that, he was extremely precise with the ball at his feet, completing 98 percent of his attempted passes.

Jonny Evans: 5/10

As the player who needed to organise the backline, Evans did not do his job perfectly, although on an individual level, he did not really make many mistakes and won each of the 4 duels he contested. Caught out in the build-up to the second Manchester City goal.

Wesley Fofana: 6/10

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A solid evening for the most part for Fofana, with Riyad Mahrez hardly getting the better of him. Won 7 of the 8 duels he contested while making a couple of important interceptions. Moved the ball forward smartly as well and not to be blamed really for the loss.

Marc Albrighton: 5/10

Beaten too easily by Benjamin Mendy in the build-up to the opening Manchester City goal, Marc Albrighton struggled a bit defensively while failing to carry a threat with his deliveries, which were a rare sight anyway. Back to the drawing board.

Wilfred Ndidi: 5/10

A game of two halves for Ndidi, who did well to negate Manchester City’s influence in the first half before being overpowered post the interval. Lost the ball a number of times under pressure, but completed some important tackles.

Youri Tielemans: 6/10

One of the few Leicester players who can hold their heads up high after a poor evening, Tielemans carried a great deal of threat for Leicester and even popped up around the box to force Ederson into a save. Played a couple of key passes but a little sloppy in possession at times as well.

Timothy Castagne: 5/10

Sub-par by Castagne, who saw a lot of the ball but did very little with it. Never really got the better of Kyle Walker and created no chances. Solid for the most part, but there were a few nervy moments as well.

Ayoze Perez: 6/10

A player who showed a lot of desire playing as the no. 10, Perez nearly grabbed an assist before Jamie Vardy was pulled back for offside. Looked to make things happen, even if they did not pan out as envisioned at times.

Kelechi Iheanacho: 5/10

The man in form for Leicester, Iheanacho was under the spotlight ahead of the game, but hardly managed to find his way into the proceedings. The former Manchester City striker failed to muster up a single shot on goal and will hope to move on from this failure quickly.

Jamie Vardy: 5/10

A player in desperate need of a goal, Vardy’s movements caused some threat, but it was not enough to make a telling impact. Managed just 14 touches all game and completed a paltry 5 passes.

SUBSTITUTES

Ricardo Pereira: 5/10

On for Albrighton, Ricardo was barely involved as Manchester City saw the game out without much of a fuss, meaning the Leicester players were hardly in the game.

James Maddison: 5/10

Did not see a great deal of the ball after being sent on in place of Iheanacho. Looks like he could take some time to get into full flow.

Nampalys Mendy: N/A

A late introduction, Mendy barely had any time to turn things around for Leicester.

Manchester City

Ederson Moraes: 6/10

Easy as you like for Ederson, who only had to make a couple of regulation saves on his way to keeping a clean sheet. Precise as ever with the ball at his feet.

Kyle Walker: 6/10

An ordinary display by Walker, who barely carried a threat going forward while not being called into action a great deal by Timothy Castagne. Completed 73 of the 77 passes he attempted, though. Needs to step up in the final third.

Ruben Dias: 8/10

There was not a lot of defending that Dias had to do, with Manchester City firmly in control of the proceedings. The Portuguese international, though, made one brilliant last-ditch tackle to keep Vardy at bay. Barely misplaced a pass, completing 95 percent of those he attempted.

Aymeric Laporte: 7/10

Favoured ahead of John Stones, Laporte was solid enough in his performance, keeping a check on Iheanacho with aplomb. Won 3 duels while making a couple of important tackles and completing 90 percent of his passes.

Benjamin Mendy: 8/10

Mendy unlocked something from his locker that even he might not have known he possessed, such was the brilliance of his finish. Nevertheless, it was a superb touch, turn and finish by the French full-back, who enjoyed a rare joyous moment on the pitch for Manchester City. Hardly troubled defensively.

Fernandinho: 8/10

He might be in the twilight of his career and perhaps, even approaching the end of his time at Manchester City, but Fernandinho was simply delightful against Leicester City. There were a few wasteful passes, but the veteran Brazilian was a rock off the ball, winning 7 duels.

Rodri: 8/10

The Manchester City central midfielders played a major role in ensuring their dominance in the game. Rodri, in particular, was always prepared to press high up the pitch, which ensured quick transitions. Made 5 interceptions in addition to winning 5 duels and even playing a key pass. What a workhorse.

Riyad Mahrez: 5/10

One of the form players for Manchester City heading into this game, Mahrez endured a game to forget, struggling to create many openings while miscuing a couple of efforts when set up with fine chances. A rare blip, perhaps.

Kevin De Bruyne: 7/10

An outing that ended with him seething, De Bruyne was purposeful in his display, with no player managing more key passes than his 3. Came close to scoring with a free-kick, which smashed the crossbar.

Gabriel Jesus: 7/10

It was a game that appeared to be heading in the wrong direction for Jesus, who either did not get into scoring positions or miscued his efforts. Was in the right place at the right time to round off the win for Manchester City.

Sergio Aguero: 5/10

In a week that has seen the announcement of his future being made, Aguero’s showing was indicative of why he is set to leave Manchester City this summer. Lacked sharpness in the hour or so he was on the pitch and never really looked like scoring.

SUBSTITUTES

Raheem Sterling: 7/10

It almost seemed as if Sterling had squandered the chance after getting to run at the Leicester defence, but he pulled the trigger for the final pass perfectly, eventually grabbing the assist for the goal that Jesus scored.

Ferran Torres: N/A

On for Mahrez, Torres helped see the game out.

Phil Foden: N/A

A late introduction, Foden did not have enough time to make an impact, with Manchester City in cruise control mode at the time.

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