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Player Ratings: Leicester City 0-1 Manchester City

Sports Mole rates the performances of those involved in Manchester City's 1-0 win at Leicester in the Premier League.

Manchester City kept the pressure on Premier League leaders Chelsea on Saturday with a narrow 1-0 win at Leicester City.

The only goal of the game came at the end of the first half when Frank Lampard flicked the ball home from close range following a Samir Nasri cross.

The result has kept the champions three points behind Chelsea, while Leicester remain rooted to the bottom of the standings after extending their winless run to 11 games.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at the individual performances of those involved at the King Power Stadium.


Manchester City's English goalkeeper Joe Hart dives to cover a direct free kick from Leicester City's Argentinian midfielder Esteban Cambiasso that goes wide during the English Premier League football match between Leicester City and Manchester City at Ki© Getty Images

LEICESTER

Goal

Ben Hamer: Despite being called into action in place of the injured Kasper Schmeichel, Hamer performed solidly between the sticks for the hosts. (6/10)

Defence

Danny Simpson: Looked good going forward, but he could have done this more in order to help his side in attack. Did his defensive duties with admirable focus. (6/10)

Wes Morgan: Leicester's captain fought hard in defence and offered the hosts a good physical presence up front when they were pushing for an equaliser. (7/10)

Marcin Wasilewski: Struggled to assert himself in defence in the same way that Morgan did, but he did a good job in soaking up the pressure that Man City put on the home side. (6/10)

Paul Konchesky: An average afternoon for the full-back, who often found it difficult to cope with Man City's pace out wide. (5/10)

Midfield

Riyad Mahrez: The home side's best player on the day. The Algerian's blend of pace and trickery frequently bamboozled the opposition. (8/10)

Esteban Cambiasso: Was not involved in central areas as much as he could have been. Came close to scoring in the first half when his free kick went inches wide. (6/10)

Andy King: Had a minimal influence on the game, often looking like a passenger in midfield. (5/10)

Danny Drinkwater: Provided the hosts with some much-needed mettle in midfield against the likes of Toure and Fernando. Kept plugging away until he was brought off with 10 minutes left. (7/10)

Jeffrey Schlupp: Looked lively in wide positions, but he was too inconsistent to have a big say on the outcome. (6/10)

Attack

Jamie Vardy: Had a couple of sights at goal as he hustled in and around the Man City penalty box. However, he did not provide the kind of threat that Leicester needed. (5/10)

Substitutes

Leonardo Ulloa: Came on with 25 minutes left to give the hosts a slightly different dimension in attack before squandering a good chance late on. (6/10)

Nick Powell: Was brought off the bench for the final 15 minutes, but he did little of note as Man City were able to close out the game. (5/10)

Anthony Knockaert: Got stuck in during the final 10 minutes, showing good enthusiasm to make something happen. (6/10)


Frank Lampard of Manchester City celebrate Samir Nasri of Manchester City after scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Leicester City and Manchester City at The King Power Stadium on December 13, 2014© Getty Images

MAN CITY

Goal

Joe Hart: Was not called into action that much, but City's number one did his job professionally. (6/10)

Defence

Bacary Sagna: Bombed up and down the right flank impressively and rarely looked too troubled when having to defend. (7/10)

Vincent Kompany: Was superb at the back for the champions before he was forced off with an injury late on. As always, the Belgian led by example. (8/10)

Eliaquim Mangala: Looked in control in the centre of defence alongside Kompany. File this performance under 'Competent'. (7/10)

Gael Clichy: Hung back more than Sagna on the other wing, but the Frenchman went about his work in a typically-understated way. (6/10)

Midfield

Samir Nasri: City's most impressive performer, Nasri ran the show from midfield to keep up his good run of form. (9/10)

Yaya Toure: A curious afternoon for Toure, who drifted in and out of the game all too often in that languid style of his. (6/10)

Fernando: Anchored the away side's midfield well, allowing his teammates to push forward and express themselves. (7/10)

Frank Lampard: Made his mark on the match by scoring the winning goal six minutes before the break. Did not do a lot else before he was brought off with an hour played. (6/10)

David Silva: Took a while to get going, but the Spaniard looked like he had never been away following a spell on the sidelines through injury. (7/10)

Attack

Jose Angel Pozo: Thrust into the starting lineup shortly before kickoff due to an injury for Edin Dzeko, the youngster was starved of service and was only a peripheral presence. (5/10)

Substitutes

James Milner: Was introduced with 30 minutes left and worked tirelessly for the cause as Man City looked to protect their lead. (7/10)

Jesus Navas: Did not see a great deal of the ball when he came on for the final 15 minutes, though he caused Leicester a couple of problems down the right. (6/10)

Martin Demichelis: Joined the action for the final stages to replace the injured Kompany and helped to shore up the visiting defence. (6/10)


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Frank Lampard of Manchester City celebrate Samir Nasri of Manchester City after scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Leicester City and Manchester City at The King Power Stadium on December 13, 2014
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