Season Review: Memorable Moments For City In December

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Season Review: Memorable Moments For City In December

Leicester City enjoyed Premier League victories over Burnley, Newcastle United and Southampton in December, but their Carabao Cup journey ended at the quarter-finals stage.

2018-05-27T08:00:00.000Z

Season Review: Memorable Moments For City In December

Leicester City enjoyed Premier League victories over Burnley, Newcastle United and Southampton in December, but their Carabao Cup journey ended at the quarter-finals stage.

2018-05-27T08:00:00.000Z

Season Review: Memorable Moments For City In December

Leicester City enjoyed Premier League victories over Burnley, Newcastle United and Southampton in December, but their Carabao Cup journey ended at the quarter-finals stage.

2018-05-27T08:00:00.000Z

Season Review: Memorable Moments For City In December

Leicester City enjoyed Premier League victories over Burnley, Newcastle United and Southampton in December, but their Carabao Cup journey ended at the quarter-finals stage.

2018-05-27T08:00:00.000Z

Season Review: Memorable Moments For City In December

Leicester City enjoyed Premier League victories over Burnley, Newcastle United and Southampton in December, but their Carabao Cup journey ended at the quarter-finals stage.

2018-05-27T08:00:00.000Z

Let's reflect on a month which saw the Foxes contest a remarkable eight competitive matches...

City 1 Burnley 0King Power StadiumPremier LeagueSaturday 2 DecemberGray 6'

Leicester City recorded back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time this season after defeating Burnley 1-0 at King Power Stadium.

After beating Tottenham Hotspur in midweek, Claude Puel, who made one change to his starting XI by bringing in Demarai Gray, prepared his side to face an in-form Clarets side on Filbert Way.

That switch in personnel paid dividends as after just six minutes, Gray bundled home Nick Pope’s parry from just two yards out – his third goal of the 2017/18 campaign.

Burnley responded, though, and Kasper Schmeichel was called into action with 20 minutes gone, as the Dane held onto Jóhann Berg Gudmundsson’s well-struck volley.

Robbie Brady, who scored his side’s second in the win at Bournemouth, was taken off on a stretcher following a challenge on Harry Maguire and that proved to be a blow for Sean Dyche’s men.

Shortly after, the magical Riyad Mahrez, who provided the cross in the lead up to Gray’s opener, picked the ball up in his own half before sprinting towards goal and unleashing a powerful drive that Pope was equal to.

After the break, Ben Chilwell fired just wide from the edge of the box, while only a well-timed challenge from Phil Bardsley prevented Gray from netting a second from close range.

Jamie Vardy, searching for his 50th Premier League goal for the Club, then hooked an effort towards goal that skipper Wes Morgan came just inches away from turning into the net.

Burnley grew into the game midway through the second period and only a big save from Schmeichel with his right leg denied Gudmundsson.

Two stops followed from Pope, first from Marc Albrighton and then Gray, before the latter struck the Burnley upright just moments later after good work from Wilfred Ndidi.

Chances came at both ends of the pitch late on. Substitute Sam Vokes headed off target, Vardy flashed wide of the mark and Mahrez had a strike denied by Pope, while Schmeichel was on hand in injury time to hold onto Ashley Barnes’ low strike at the front post.

Newcastle United 2 City 3St James' ParkPremier LeagueSaturday 9 DecemberJoselu 4', Gayle 73' / Mahrez 20', Gray 60', Perez 86' og

Leicester City recovered from an early setback to record a memorable 3-2 Premier League victory over Newcastle United at St. James’ Park.

The Foxes, unchanged from a 1-0 victory over Burnley, fell behind after just four minutes as Joselu converted Dwight Gayle’s low cross from close range.

City grew into the game, though, and after Demarai Gray went close on two occasions either side of Wilfred Ndidi’s 25-yard drive, they hauled themselves level.

Just as he had done against Tottenham last month, Riyad Mahrez picked up the ball midway in the Newcastle half, sprinted past one defender and hammered a superb drive into the top corner from distance.

Opportunities for Marc Albrighton, Danny Simpson and Jamie Vardy followed in the first half, while Kasper Schmeichel had to be alert to efforts from Jacob Murphy and Matt Ritchie as the interval approached.

A lovely team move from the Foxes on the hour mark produced their second goal of the game. Albrighton’s deft touch teed up Gray, who lashed a strike past Karl Darlow via a deflection to make it 2-1.

However, after a spell of pressure, the hosts were level 12 minutes later through Gayle. Another deflection, this time at the other end of the pitch, produced a second goal for the Magpies.

Gayle threatened again just moments later as he dragged a left-footed strike inches wide of Schmeichel’s upright, but City showed their resilience and, with four minutes to play, it paid off.

Vardy burst down the left and cut back onto his right foot before delivering into the box.

Substitute Shinji Okazaki put Ayoze Perez under pressure and the Spaniard could only turn the ball into the back of the net, handing the Foxes all three points in turn.

Southampton 1 City 4St Mary's StadiumPremier LeagueWednesday 13 DecemberYoshida 61' / Mahrez 11', Okazaki 32', 69', King 38'

A superb display at St. Mary’s Stadium saw Leicester City make it four Premier League wins on the bounce by defeating Southampton 4-1.

Claude Puel, making a return to the home of the Saints, made three changes to the side that beat Newcastle United 3-2 last time out.

After an even start, Riyad Mahrez worked his magic once again by conjuring up a fine finish from distance.

Despite losing his footing initially, the Algerian recovered before surging towards goal and driving past Fraser Forster on 11 minutes.

Shinji Okazaki went close on two occasions, as Forster denied the Japan international, before Mario Lemina raced back to clear his effort off the line midway through the first half.

Next to test the Southampton stopper was Jamie Vardy, who after playing a one-two with Mahrez, saw his close-range effort turned away.

City did not have to wait much longer for their second, though, as Okazaki was on hand in the six yard box to poke home Christian Fuchs’ deflected strike from distance.

Just six minutes later, Andy King, who made his first start since September, arrived at the back post to turn home Harry Maguire’s low cross for 3-0.

With a commanding three-goal lead at the break, the Foxes knew Southampton would get forward in their numbers in the second half and when Maya Yoshida’s header found its way in at the back post, a potential comeback was on the cards.

Kasper Schmeichel had to make a huge stop shortly after as he spread himself well to deny Charlie Austin and that proved pivotal as City had a fourth two minutes later.

Vardy delivered from the right wing and Okazaki fired his cross past Forster to eradicate any form of Saints revival, as the Foxes surged to another victory under Puel.

City 0 Crystal Palace 3King Power StadiumPremier LeagueSaturday 16 DecemberBenteke 19', Zaha 40', Sako 90+4

Leicester City were beaten for the first time in six outings as Crystal Palace recorded a 3-0 win at King Power Stadium against the 10-man Foxes.

Claude Puel made three changes to the side that beat Southampton so emphatically, but they couldn’t replicate that magnificent win.

From the off, Palace threatened on the counter attack. Kasper Schmeichel made his first save of the game on 11 minutes, denying Ruben Loftus-Cheek from range.

Vicente Iborra then lashed a half volley wide shortly after, but the Foxes fell behind on 19 minutes when Christian Benteke flicked Andros Townsend’s cross into the back of the net.

At the other end, City had a penalty appeal turned down as Danny Simpson’s through ball – aimed for Jamie Vardy – flicked up and hit the hand of Scott Dann, but there was nothing given.

Opportunities for Vardy and Harry Maguire followed, but Palace doubled their advantage with five minutes of the first half to play as Wilfred Zaha rounded off a lethal break.

Riyad Mahrez had a low effort saved by Julian Speroni early on in the second period and while Iborra headed home just moments later, his goal was disallowed.

Wilfred Ndidi, going close earlier on in the game following a powerful drive, was dismissed on 62 minutes after receiving two yellow cards – the second for simulation.

While City battled away to halve the deficit in the second period, with Demarai Gray and Ben Chilwell both sending strikes off target, they couldn’t break down a resilient Eagles defence.

Puel introduced strikers Leonardo Ulloa and Shinji Okazaki late on, but after Benteke had seen a header saved by Schmeichel, Palace made it 3-0 in injury time as Bakary Sako curled in off the post.

City 1 Manchester City 1 (3-4 on pens)King Power StadiumCarabao Cup Quarter-FinalTuesday 19 DecemberVardy 90+7' pen / Silva 26'

Leicester City lost 4-3 on penalties to Manchester City following a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes in the Carabao Cup at King Power Stadium.

The last-eight tie, a thrilling, end-to-end spectacle, ebbed and flowed in waves, with each side enjoying flurries of opportunities over the initial 90 minutes in front of a raucous crowd on Filbert Way.

When Jamie Vardy cancelled out Bernardo Silva's first-half opener, from 12 yards at the very end, the pendulum appeared to swing back in City's favour ahead of extra-time.

In the shoot-out, Vardy's spot-kick cannoned back off the post before Riyad Mahrez's penalty was also palmed away by Chilean shot-stopper Claudio Bravo.

Despite a valiant effort, it was Pep Guardiola's men who progressed - with İlkay Gündoğan, Yaya Touré, Lukas Nmecha and Gabriel Jesus all converting from the spot.

Claude Puel made seven changes from the side who lost to Crystal Palace in the Premier League, while Guardiola elected to bring in nine fresh faces.

After 19 minutes, the visitors went close as Silva clipped the crossbar, via the fingers of Ben Hamer, with the Leicester goalkeeper acrobatically tipping it out for a corner.

Gündoğan was clearly key to Man City’s stratagem and it was his intervention which led to the opener, galloping up-field and laying it off for Silva to slot it home.

A defining moment came just before the hour-mark as Vardy and Mahrez replaced Kelechi Iheanacho and Marc Albrighton, providing a spark for Puel’s men.

Amid a chorus of cries from both supporters for penalties, referee Robert Madley eventually elected to award one – to Leicester – at the end of eight minutes stoppage time.

Kyle Walker was adjudged to have bundled Demarai Gray to the floor. Vardy duly obliged to send the tie to extra-time - triggering pandemonium in the stands.

The real drama was to come, however, in a shoot-out. While Christian Fuchs, Harry Maguire and Vicente Iborra dispatched their spot-kicks, Vardy and Mahrez were cruelly denied.

City 2 Manchester United 2King Power StadiumPremier LeagueSaturday 23 DecemberVardy 27', Maguire 90+4 / Mata 40', 60'

Harry Maguire equalised in the 94th minute as 10-man Leicester City marked their final home match of 2017 with a climactic 2-2 draw with Manchester United.

On a night of landmarks, controversy and late drama, the Foxes exhibited their undoubted resilience to recover from a succession of setbacks to salvage a precious point at King Power Stadium.

In the 27th minute, England’s Jamie Vardy combined with Riyad Mahrez to become the first City player to reach 50 Premier League goals with a tidy finish past David de Gea.

The Filbert Way pandemonium was quelled by a Juan Mata brace either side of half-time, before substitute Daniel Amartey was dismissed after just 16 minutes on the pitch.

As Claude Puel’s men hunted a leveller, Marc Albrighton located Maguire at the far post in the final of four minutes of added time, sparking jubilant celebrations.

City were changed to the sum of seven from their 4-3 penalty shoot-out defeat by Manchester City in the Carabao Cup, with Vardy and Mahrez among those to return.

A fraught encounter simmered at first but burst into life just before the half-hour mark as Mahrez took his time to place it into Vardy’s path, before the England man made City history.

Jose Mourinho’s men, though, responded admirably and they restored parity on the scoresheet before the interval as Mata wriggled into space and poked it past Kasper Schmeichel with a smart finish.

The Red Devils’ fortunes improved further when the Spaniard curled a majestic free-kick beyond the Foxes stopper from 25 yards, before Amartey was dismissed for two bookings by referee Jon Moss.

The frustration of that decision gave City new life in their pursuit of an equaliser. While United undoubtedly enjoyed supremacy for long spells with a man advantage, Leicester dug deep.

The visitors hit the post through Jesse Lingard in the latter stages while Schmeichel also scooped the ball up from under Marcus Rashford's feet to stop him to racing in on goal.

But, when Albrighton’s cross landed at Maguire’s feet right at the very end, the defender sent the Filbert Way faithful home with an early Christmas present.

Watford 2 City 1Vicarage RoadPremier LeagueTuesday 26 DecemberWagué 45' Schmeichel 65' og / Mahrez 37'

Leicester City fell to a frustrating 2-1 defeat by Watford at Vicarage Road on Boxing Day.

Riyad Mahrez’s header opened the scoring in the 37th minute, his sixth goal of the campaign, but Malian defender Molla Wagué cancelled the arrears for the Hornets before the break.

Despite encouraging signs from the Foxes, an unfortunate own goal from Kasper Schmeichel, forced by tenacious play from Abdoulaye Doucouré, handed Marco Silva’s hosts a first win in seven.

After a 2-2 draw with Manchester United, Claude Puel made four changes with Aleksandar Dragović, Ben Chilwell, Andy King and Shinji Okazaki in for Danny Simpson, Christian Fuchs, Vicente Iborra and Demarai Gray.

A competitive early spell paid witness to three yellow cards in just 12 minutes, a caution for Harry Maguire among them, but the Foxes battled hard to break free of the midfield battleground.

Before Mahrez’s opener, a guilt-edged opportunity came Jamie Vardy's way in the 25th minute. Marc Albrighton located the England forward behind the backline, sliding it perfectly into his path.

However, Vardy was unable to pick his spot beyond Heurelho Gomes in the Watford net, sending a low effort agonisingly wide of the near post from the edge of the box.

Albrighton was also central to the move which led to Mahrez’s opener. He turned on the byline, crossed well and the Algerian arched his neck to nod it back across goal, into the corner.

Just moments after Brazilian ace Richarlison fired wide, Silva’s men levelled the scores through former Foxes loanee Wagué, who bundled a corner past Schmeichel at the near post in the 45th minute.

Tom Cleverley, who also enjoyed a temporary stay on Filbert Way in 2009, very nearly added another for the hosts before the interval, but his free-kick whistled just wide.

Richarlison was also denied by the post. After 20 minutes of the second period, it was 2-1 when Cleverley’s free-kick evaded everybody in the Foxes box - everybody but Doucouré - during an unfortunate sequence of events.

The Frenchman sent a shot back in the opposite direction, from a tight angle on the left. Despite his best efforts, there was little Schmeichel could do to stop it from ricocheting over the line.

A quick-fire double save from Gomes, stopping both Wes Morgan's volley and a smart header from substitute Leonardo Ulloa, only added to City's frustration in the latter stages.

Liverpool 2 City 1AnfieldPremier LeagueSaturday 30 DecemberSalah 52', 76' / Vardy 3'

Leicester City could not hold onto their early lead as Liverpool came from behind to record a 2-1 Premier League win at Anfield.

Claude Puel made four changes to the side that faced Watford on Boxing Day, with Daniel Amartey, Christian Fuchs, Vicente Iborra and Demarai Gray all returning to the starting XI.

It was the duo of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez that combined to put the Foxes in front on Merseyside, as City’s No.9 fired home the Algerian’s low cross on three minutes.

The Reds responded, though, as Mohamed Salah shot wide before Kasper Schmeichel was on hand to deny James Milner and Philippe Coutinho in quick succession.

The Denmark stopper then saw Salah send a chip off target, while Roberto Firmino had an effort saved midway through the first half.

Some fine defending from Harry Maguire and Amartey prevented Liverpool from levelling before the interval, but Jurgen Klopp’s men finally got their goal seven minutes into the second period.

A clever backheel from Sadio Mane found Salah, who cut inside before converting past the defiant Schmeichel to breach the City back line.

With momentum behind them, Liverpool went close to scoring a second on the hour mark as Salah lifted a strike onto the top of the net, while at the other end of the field, Vardy was unfortunate to see a low strike blocked following some good work.

A sweetly-struck half-volley from Wilfred Ndidi flew inches wide of Loris Karius’ upright on 67 minutes prior to another save from Schmeichel, who this time held onto a drive from Coutinho.

But for all of their resilience, the Foxes conceded a second with 14 minutes to play. Salah did well to get past Maguire before slotting into the bottom corner for his 17th Premier League goal of the campaign.

Puel introduced Shinji Okazaki, Islam Slimani and Matty James in the second period, but there would be no equaliser for City, who returned to Leicester empty-handed.

December in numbers:

LCFC goals: 13Top scorer: Vardy/Mahrez (3)League standing: 8th

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