Manchester City secured a narrow win over Leicester City to move to the top of the Premier League, thanks to an outstanding Kevin de Bruyne free-kick.
No Haaland, no problem. Kevin de Bruyne scored to ensure Man City sealed three points against Leicester City.
Manchester City star Kevin de Bruyne expressed his happiness after his world-class free-kick helped break down a resilient Leicester City side on Saturday afternoon.
Brendan Rodgers changed the Foxes’ formation to contain the threat posed by the reigning champions at the King Power Stadium.
The system worked - for a while as the hosts frustrated the dominant Cityzens - until Belgium international De Bruyne curled in his 25-yard free-kick early in the second half.
The 49th-minute strike was De Bruyne's 25th from outside the box out of his 60 Premier League goals.
City’s hitman Erling Haaland was out of the game because he is having a sufficient period of convalescence after suffering a foot injury and fever, but there was no problem for Pep Guardiola’s men on the day.
Leicester almost equalised when midfielder Youri Tielemans volleyed the ball from a corner-kick, but the effort was turned on to the bar by Manchester City keeper Ederson, however, the Foxes did not have enough attacking threat to worry City, who have now leapfrogged Arsenal at the top of the English top flight table.
Although, Arsenal will return to the top of the table if they beat Nottingham Forest at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Man City can win without Haaland.
Kevin de Bruyne told BT Sport: "We made it difficult for ourselves, we were a bit tired. They were very negative for 70 minutes but then their changes made it a different game. We didn't keep the ball in their half but we still could have scored a second.
"The free-kick goes perfectly, luckily it's 1-0. Ederson has been great, sometimes we only talk about his distribution but he's a great keeper and he proves it every week.
Kevin de Bruyne is back, but we had to be patient.
Manager Pep Guardiola in his hoodie added: "They changed it and it was a difficult game because they had 10 players so deep and it's so difficult.
"After we scored the goal they changed their rhythm and in the Premier League, the last few minutes are always difficult. It's a massive victory for us.
"Kevin de Bruyne is back. He was not playing well the last few games but today he was amazing. He knows it. There was no space today, we had to be patient."
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