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Martin Rickett
AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Manchester City v Leicester City, Premier League

It doesn’t get much bigger than this — England’s top two go head-to-head in today’s early kick-off.

What a day of sport we have in store and it’s going to begin with a bang. The Premier League’s top two do battle at the Etihad Stadium with 14 games left to play this season.

Leicester lead by three at the moment. Can City reel them in today and really ignite their charge?

Here are today’s teams:

 

Manchester City make four changes with Fabian Delph, Raheem Sterling, Pablo Zabaleta and Aleksandar Kolarov coming into the side. Jesus Navas, Kelechi Iheanacho, Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy are the ones to drop out.

Kick-off is at 12.45 and this match is live on BT Sport.

Man City 0 Leicester 1 (Huth ’3)

And we’re under way at the Etihad, hold on to your hats folks.

Wow, what a start. Leicester won a free kick on the edge of the area. Man City looked asleep as Mahrez just stroked it low into the area and Robert Huth steered it home.

This is setting up beautifully for the neutral already.

This has started off at break-neck speed. End to end stuff, some glorious attacking play from some of the league’s best players.

Man City have looked a bit shaky at the back — Vardy’s pace, as usual, is causing serious problems.

This has been thoroughly entertaining. David Silva, what a magical man. A mazy run from the little Spaniard leaves Leicester mesmerized but Silva drags his shot just wide.

I’d be amazed if we don’t see another few goals in this one.

Man City have been getting into this a bit more and the tempo has finally eased a bit.

Schmeichel has been called into action on a couple of occasions but the Dane has looked assured in the Leicester goal. Ten minutes left in this half.

Just in case you need a reminder of how things stand, this shows how big a results this would be for Leicester. This underdog story just keeps on giving.

Leicester are happy to sit back and wait for their opportunity to counter-attack. They’ve defended well, even as City have started to lord the possession.

Kevin De Bruyne is a big absentee for City, the ideal footballer to have at your disposal when you have to chase the game.

The rain is teeming down in Manchester at the moment.

Danny Drinkwater congratulates Robert Huth after his early first-half goal. PA Wire / Press Association Images PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

HT: Man City 0 Leicester 1

Is this the day that everyone really starts to believe Leicester City can win the league?

It’s been an excellent performance from Claudio Ranieri’s side so far — they’ve been patient, organised and dangerous on the break.

Man City have dominated possession but have struggled to break Leicester down. They’re overplaying the ball at times, always looking for the extra pass. A more direct approach would be a welcome change from them in the second half.

City have no shortage of firepower in reserve  – Iheanacho will surely see action at some stage after his FA Cup hat-trick last weekend.

We’re back under way at the Etihad.

Man City 0 Leicester 2 (Mahrez ’48)

Pellegrini responds immediately by changing personnel. On comes Fernando for Yaya Toure. A strange one, the Ivorian star didn’t look injured.

Iheanacho on for Delph too. Game on.

YEP, you read that right.

Mahrez must be one of the greatest transfers in the history of football. The man jinks through the Man City rearguard with the delicacy of Messi and a stepover Cristiano Ronaldo would be proud of.

He beats three players before burying it in the corner with his right foot. Superb football.

I think I’m falling in love with this Leicester team — please don’t crumble and break my heart now lads.

In case you missed it, Jurgen Klopp has been struck down by a bout of appendicitis and will miss Liverpool’s 3pm clash with Sunderland this afternoon.

WHAT A SAVE — Fernando makes an immediate impact, winning a header from a corner. He directs it downwards to Schmeichel’s left but the Dane manages to steer it away with a strong leg. He’s been excellent so far today.

OH MY DAYS!!

Man City 0 Leicester 3 (Huth ’60)

Has all this Pep talk knocked City out of kilter or have Leicester just been that good? I’m going with the latter.

Huth again, the big man rises highest for a corner and loops a header back across goal into the far corner.

This is just stunning. Whatsapp is bound to break down at some point today if this continues.

Howard Webb has pointed out that it shouldn’t have even been a corner – sure look, you’ll take it anyway.

Serious kudos has to go to Claudio Ranieri for this performance. Not many teams can set up away to Manchester City and frustrate them like this.

They’ve showed great energy, discipline and organisation in defence. And that has laid the platform for the magical Mahrez and Co to do the job at the other end of the field.

CHANCE — Joe Hart saves from Jamie Vardy after a stunning ball over the top from Drinkwater. Vardy’s speed really is something else — he’ll win those deliveries into space all day.

Mahrez earns himself a rest. Best player on the pitch for me.

Gray on for him.

Man City fans are miserable in the rain but nothing can dampen the spirits of the away fans right now.

Leicester are still fighting away, not giving City any time on the ball and funneling back at speed.

David Silva off now – Celina comes on for him. The Spaniard looks like he’s picked up a knock though.

“We’re going to win the league,” the away fans sing. I’m believing it now too.

Vardy is still chasing everything. Serious shift from him.

Man City 1 Leicester 3 (Aguero ’87)

Sergio Aguero nicks one back for City with an excellent near-post header. Me nerves…only a minute later the Argentine is nearly in for another after a sloppy backpass. But he fires wide under pressure from Schmeichel.

FT: Manchester City 1 Leicester City 3

“You gotta roll with it
You gotta take your time
You gotta say what you say
Don’t let anybody get in your way.”

Noel Gallagher’s voice echoes around an emptying Etihad and his words sum up where Leicester are at right now. There’s no sign of nosebleeds yet, still 13 games to play but boy, they’ve given themselves such a great opportunity to win the Premier League.

Absolutely incredible stuff.

There won’t be a cow milked in Leicester tonight.

Thanks for joining us for the liveblog today, I need a cup of tea after that.

Report and reaction to follow on The42. It’s a massive weekend of sport; don’t fret though, we’ve got you covered here.

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