Leicester City played out a goalless draw against Manchester City at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday night.
A win for the Foxes would have ensured that they went into the New Year at the top of the Premier League but instead maintain second position in the league, level on points with Arsenal. Manchester City did move a position higher as the point took them above Tottenham.
Goals were expected as the league’s top-scoring teams faced one other but neither was able to break the deadlock over the 90 minutes.
Leicester finally slowing down
Barring the last week, it seemed like there could be nothing that could stop Leicester City as they continued their fine form this season.
But a loss against Liverpool, followed by a goalless draw over the busy Christmas period, has finally seen the Foxes stumble. Prior to these games, Leicester had scored in every league match, with only one loss to their name. The end of the year has seen many teams falter with the fixture list in England getting just a bit too hectic. The Foxes are still level on points with leaders Arsenal and there should be no reason to write them off just yet.
But Claudio Ranieri will want to see his team continue to fight on as they have for most of this season if they want to bag a Champions League spot that would mean so much to the club and its fans. We can only wait and see what the very unpredictable Foxes can come up with in the next few games.
City’s away form
Manchester City continued their dreadful away record as they failed to win on the road for the sixth game running. Their last win away from the Etihad came way back in September as they just managed to edge past Crystal Palace. The Citizens have been on fine at home but continue to struggle in away games for reasons unknown to many.
Pellegrini might have had another injury woe as Vincent Kompany’s return in their last match did not last more than 10 minutes, although he has welcomed back Sergio Aguero who does not look as sharp as he was prior to his injury.
The Sky Blues just cannot seem to get the three points away from home and that might just come back to bite them at the end of the season. With the transfer window not far from opening, one or two good signings might just add a much needed spark to the side.
What’s next in the Premier League?
As we look forward to ringing in the New Year, the Premier League also welcomed new league leaders in Arsenal. The Gunners have shown their level of inconsistency over their last two games, which saw them brushed aside by Southampton before cruising to a 2-0 victory over Bournemouth. Manchester City’s troubles have been mostly on the road and Leicester City have also faltered while Spurs and Palace have enjoyed the December period. Manchester United, who once looked like strong title contenders, now find themselves in in sixth position, nine points of the top of the table. Watford and Stoke City have also sprung into life and are steadily climbing the table.
The uncertainty of the Premier league has reached new heights this season and with almost half of it still remaining we can be sure to expect the unexpected. 2016 is bound to bring in more surprises as we look forward to another year of the excitement and entertainment of the world’s best league.
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