Ruthless Haaland helps Manchester City make quick work of Leicester

Manchester City did what they desired: beat Leicester to keep their title defence in their hands, just as Arsenal rove into view for a seismic showdown here next week.

For Dean Smith, this first match of a tenure that will finish at the end of the season was always going to be one to chalk off in his side’s fight to beat the drop. Towards the end Kelechi Iheanacho tapped in after a mix-up between Kalvin Phillips and Ederson but it was a consolation only.

Before that, Erling Haaland scored twice to take his tally to 32 in the Premier League this season, the competition’s best return since Alan Shearer’s 34 in 1994-5. John Stones, too, registered in a flying start from those in blue.

A maxim when taking on City at home might be “do not concede early” as they could then steamroller you. Sadly, the Foxes could not heed this as first Stones and then Haaland beat Daniel Iversen before 15 minutes were gone.

For the opener, Leicester’s goalkeeper beat away a Riyad Mahrez shot to concede a corner, which his defence subsequently failed to clear. The ball ping-ponged about the area, Rodri beat Jamie Vardy in the air to back-head it to Stones, and the centre-back hooked home a sweet left-foot volley.

This was after five minutes. Another eight had ticked by when Haaland beat Iversen from the spot to the keeper’s left. The penalty came after a Jack Grealish cross hit Wilfred Ndidi’s arm in the area. Darren England said no to the appeals but the VAR ordered him to the pitchside screen and, on review, he changed his ruling. Haaland did the rest for a 14th goal in his past six outings, despite Iversen diving the correct way.

In the late-afternoon sunshine it felt like the contest was already over. Yet soon Leicester moved upfield and