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Humbling defeat
Manchester City’s defensive woes came back to bite them tonight as they were hammered 5-2 by Leicester City.
A hat trick from Jamie Vardy was enough to see the Foxes remain unbeaten on the season.
Fast start
Despite the scoreline, City were the better team early on and got the breakthrough in the 4th minute with a superb half-volley from Riyad Mahrez.
The Citizens had 80% of the ball in the opening 25 minutes but couldn’t capitalize on their opportunities.
Rodri thought he’d put City up 2-0 in the 35th minute however his headed goal was canceled out for offside.
Giving it away
City would rue those missed opportunities.
Kyle Walker tripped Vardy in the box in the 37th minute leading to Vardy equalizing from the spot on the Foxes first shot of the game.
Their second effort on goal produced their second goal when Vardy’s stunning flick from close range beat Ederson.
In the 58th minute, Vardy was brought down by Eric Garcia leading to another penalty kick.
Vardy stepped up for the hat trick, putting Leicester in front 3-1.
Substitute James Madison made it 4-1 with a cracking effort into the top corner in the 77th minute.
Nathan Aké scored his first goal in City colors with a nice header in the 84th minute but it was too little too late.
Belgian Youri Tielemans rounded out the scoring from the penalty spot in the 88th minute.
Shocking defending
Before the start of the season, we said City’s, biggest question mark was at the back.
The central defense was caught flat-footed and a step behind Leicester’s counter-attacks in this game.
Walker, Garcia, and Mendy all gave away unnecessary penalties by being overly aggressive.
The backline who are still without Frenchman Aymeric Laporte couldn’t handle the pace of Leicester for 90 minutes.
Despite scoring Aké age at 25 still seems to be getting the better of him as his over-exuberance left City short at the back several times.
Mendy was guilty of the third penalty giveaway late in the match.
Firsts
In 686 matches this is the first time a Pep Guardiola side has conceded five goals.
The last time City allowed five goals was on February 22, 2003, at Main Road when Arsenal beat the Blues 5-1.
Missing in action
Bernardo Silva, Joao Cancelo, Gabriel Jesus, and Sergio Aguero did not suit up for City due to injury.
Hat Tricks
Jamie Vardy scored a hat trick to put his goal tally this season to five, that’s tied with Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin as joint top-scorer.
Brendan Rogers’ side converted three penalty kicks as well.
This is also the team’s third win of the season.
What to do?
With what we saw from City’s defense tonight there will be calls from fans to do something on the transfer market before it’s too late.
Will they pay up for Kalidou Koulibaly?
The transfer window closes on October 5th so there’s not much time to make these decisions.
What’s next?
The Blues will head to Burnley for round 4 of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night at 7 pm.
They’ll hope for a much better showing when they resume EPL play next Saturday night at 5:30 against Leeds United. (JSL)
