PEP GUARDIOLA HAS already had his fair share of criticism since arriving in the Premier League.
And he’s about to face a lot more.
His side were thumped 4-2 by Leicester City in tonight’s evening Premier League kick-off, with Jamie Vardy netting a hat-trick.
Claudio Ranieri’s side were in front after just three minutes when Vardy conjured his first goal for the club since September.
Within moments, Andy King had doubled the Foxes’ lead with a well-struck shot inside Claudio Bravo’s near post.
Vardy scored his second after 21 minutes, racing onto a pass from the impressive Riyad Mahrez before rounding Bravo and tucking home.
It was the first time since February 2003 that City had conceded as many goals inside the opening 20 minutes.
Inevitably, they swarmed forward after the restart but, dangerous as they were, the constant attacks came to nothing.
With City gambling in an effort to get back in the game, they became even more vulnerable to the counter-attack that ripped them to shreds in the opening period.
And, with 12 minutes left, Leicester grabbed a fourth as Vardy completed his hat-trick.
John Stones played a blind pass towards Bravo and it was easily read by the striker who took it around the goalkeeper and found the net from an acute angle, though Hawkeye was needed to confirm the ball crossed the line.
With the game done and dusted and Leicester assured of the victory, City put some respectability on the scoresheet.
Aleksandar Kolarov curled home a superb free-kick and then turned provider for Nolito as the guests cut the deficit.
But, they were carved open at will by Leicester and it could’ve been a lot worse.
Should Chelsea beat West Brom tomorrow, City will be seven points behind the leaders – hardly ideal heading into the well-documented frenzy of the festive schedule.
Meanwhile, Leicester’s win moves them four points clear of the drop zone and they sit in 14th place.
