Leicester City’s fine performance went unrewarded as they finished the calendar year with a defeat to Manchester City.

A contender for their best display of the season, City were confident and creative and unfortunate not to inflict another blow on the champions, as they twice hit the woodwork and saw other big chances go begging. And despite arriving at the King Power Stadium on the back of one win in 13, moments of quality still showed for Pep Guardiola’s men, with Savinho and Erling Haaland netting.

It means, for Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side, it’s now four defeats in a row. They begin 2025 in the relegation zone, but the full-time whistle was met with chants from the home crowd, suggesting there is hope among supporters that their fortunes can be turned around in the new year.

READ MORE: Pep Guardiola delivers surprising Leicester City assessment after Man City beat Foxes

READ MORE: Leicester City look to ex-Newcastle United man in bid for Premier League survival

Van Nistelrooy made two changes from the side that was defeated by Liverpool. Jamie Vardy returned from a knock to captain the side while Jordan Ayew’s suspension opened a spot for Facundo Buonanotte, the Argentinian making just his second start under the new manager.

City immediately settled into the same shape, sitting deep with all 11 men in their own defensive third. But on the ball, they were much more confident, and much more effective as a counter-attacking threat.

Harry Winks and Boubakary Soumare were willing to take the ball under pressure while Buonanotte and Bilal El Khannouss were creative and forward-thinking. Swift moves saw Stephy Mavididi curl wide, while Vardy was set free a couple of times, only for the skipper to be called back for marginal offsides.

City were causing mistakes too. Josko Gvardiol’s header back under pressure from James Justin was short and Vardy was alert to it, the striker denied from a tight angle by Stefan Ortega.

Man City threatened, and Leicester were given a warning when Erling Haaland rattled into a first-time shot, Jakub Stolarczyk saving with his feet. And just as Leicester’s confidence was growing, where they were enjoying longer spells of possession rather than counter-attacking, the visitors took the lead.

Phil Foden ran forward at speed and struck from 25 yards. Stolarczyk dived down low to save, but didn’t parry the ball far enough away from his goal, Savinho quickly following in to slam home. The City keeper will feel he should have done better.

But the Leicester fans, pleased with what they had seen, roared in response to going behind and their side continued to threaten. It was now Man City playing on the break, Haaland going close after a mazy run, but it was Leicester looking the most likely to score next.

Their best chance of the first came with five minutes to go. Pinball from an El Khannouss cross saw Buonanotte head at goal, the Argentinian’s effort bouncing off the post.

Into the second half and Leicester were dominant. It was one-way traffic and fans sensed an equaliser. A free-kick was kept alive and Justin flicked goalwards, only for Manuel Akanji to clear off the line.

Then came the big moment. Stephy Mavididi delivered the perfect cross to find Vardy six yards out. Having to leap up to volley at goal, the number nine’s touch sent the ball over Ortega and over the bar too.

And they were punished. Shortly afterwards, a rare Man City attack saw Savinho swing in a left-wing cross and Haaland was left in far too much space at the back post. The Norwegian doesn’t miss those sorts of headers.

That goal killed the atmosphere, although there was still time for Vardy to loop a header off the bar in the dying minutes, as City kept pushing. Their efforts appreciated, the home fans chanted them down the tunnel at the full-time whistle. Here’s how we scored the players.

Jakub Stolarczyk: He made a strong save to deny Haaland early on but will feel he should have done better for the opening goal. He has to push Foden’s shot out further, or even out for a corner. He was fine in the second half. 5

James Justin: He got forward well, especially in the first half, his energy causing problems for Gvardiol. But in possession, his final ball was poor and there were moments at the back where he put team-mates in trouble. 5

Conor Coady: He’s a player who goes under the radar, which is not all bad for a centre-back. It means he’s solid in every aspect of the game, and he moved the ball about the pitch well, particularly to the right flank. Maybe he could have been closer to Haaland for the second goal. 7

Jannik Vestergaard: His passing was really good, reminiscent of last season at times in the way he pinged balls through the lines into the forward players. At the back, there were a few times where Haaland was far too quick for him, making the Dane appear statuesque. 7

Victor Kristiansen: A strong showing from the left-back. He had options on the ball and used them well, finding team-mates’ feet every time. But he sometimes let De Bruyne in around the back, while McAtee beat him too easily for the second Man City goal. 7

Harry Winks: He was so calm under pressure in dangerous areas, and that was integral to City being able to build their attacks from the back. Ran hard too, and that’s perhaps why he was quieter in the second half. 7

Boubakary Soumare: He lost possession a couple of times early on and gave away plenty of free-kicks throughout. However, once he grew into the game, he was really good, advancing into dangerous areas, barrelling through challenges and serving good ball to the attackers. 7

Facundo Buonanotte: He hit the post as he continuously arrived into threatening positions and linked well with Vardy and El Khannouss. But he wasted a good chance by going down too easily and looking for a penalty. 7

Bilal El Khannouss: What a talent. His passing was crisp, his close control was superb and he was supremely confident in everything he did. A creative livewire and the man who got City ticking. Play like this consistently and he’ll be a superstar. 8

Stephy Mavididi: Threatened on the ball regularly in his running at Lewis and Man City defenders. The final ball wasn’t always there, but then he delivered the perfect cross for Vardy’s big chance. 7

Jamie Vardy: He was alert and looked ready to pounce, but he was sometimes too eager, getting caught offside too many times. Should he have done better with his second-half chance? He may think so. 6

Hamza Choudhury: Put in a great cross and generally did a decent job at right-back. Van Nistelrooy may think about starting him there next game. 6

Caleb Okoli: Battled in the few moments he had to. But the defence was more ragged when he came on, perhaps because City were chasing an unlikely comeback. 5

Patson Daka: Attacked crosses and looked keen to get involved. But when Vardy’s still on the pitch, he has to find a different position, and that can sometimes prove difficult. 5

Will Alves: A little timid in the few minutes on the pitch. It was nice for him to make his Premier League debut, but a loan spell where he can get regular minutes may be required. N/A

Who played well? Who underperformed? Click HERE to have your say.