The drought is over, and the weight still lingers. Manchester City finally found their way to victory on Sunday, defeating Leicester 2-0 in the 19th round of the Premier League. It was a day of relief for Pep Guardiola, who reached an amazing milestone of 500 games at the helm of the club. More than just stats, the victory offered a breath of fresh air to a team that had been adrift.
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Relief, not joy "It's not joy, it's relief," Guardiola said in the post-match news conference. The phrasing perfectly encapsulated a team's spirit that has felt like a chained giant in recent weeks. Without a win in the past 13 games, the once undefeated coach saw his record marred. His words were far from joyful, signaling a long journey ahead.
The weight of that moment
On the other hand, Ruud van Nistelrooy's Leicester came into the game under a lot of pressure after four consecutive defeats. The scene was set: whoever of the two teams made fewer mistakes would emerge as winners. Shaky defending and moments of doubt notwithstanding, City made better use of their chances.
Savinho and Haaland: the game-changers
In the 21st minute, Savinho proved why he is thought to be a star on the rise. The young forward netted his first goal with City, one to always remember. He didn't stop there as, shortly after, he found Haaland, who broke his four-game scoring drought, nodding home with precision. Two crucial plays that sealed the result and reignited the fire in City.
Unrewarded Leicester toil
Accordingly, Leicester completed more passes in this game—530—than they have in any league game this season. Regardless, it didn't bring results. Jamie Vardy had the best chance for the visitors but came up short. It has been that kind of inefficiency up front, coupled with defensive lapses, which have kept van Nistelrooy's team in trouble all season long.
Guardiola and the future
With 500 games as Manchester City's coach, Guardiola joins the ranks of Premier League legends like David Moyes, who reached the milestone in 2013 with Everton. But Guardiola knows past achievements don't guarantee future success. "We need to improve," he insisted. And he's right. The win, while crucial, doesn't hide the team's ongoing struggles.
The standings
The victory brought City to 35 points, four behind the fourth-placed Chelsea, while Leicester remain in the 18th position with only 14 points, and that is a sure danger sign for a club that had seen much better days.