Follow live coverage as Manchester City face Leicester City today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Manchester City look to make it an unprecedented five titles in a row come the end of 2024/25.
The likes of Arsenal and Liverpool will be chasing Pep Guardiola's side, but just as fascinating will be the race for Champions League places, with more teams than ever before having designs on top-four finishes. Chelsea remain big-spending, Manchester United's latest rebuild continues and both Tottenham and Newcastle will expect improvements this year - yet it was Aston Villa who snared fourth last term.
Meanwhile, it's Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:
Manchester City FC 2 - 0 Leicester City FC
Manchester City vs Leicester City
21:46Manchester City cruised to a comfortable 2-0 win over Leicester City in the Premier League to move back into the Champions League places. The hosts made a lightning-quick start to the match, with Grealish profiting from some slick play as he turned in his first Premier League goal since December 2023 in the second minute. City never looked back from there, with Leicester putting them under little pressure, and Marmoush scored the second goal just before the half-hour mark. A mix-up from Hermansen and Faes provided the opening, and he rifled in off the crossbar. It was a comfortable second half after that, with Marmoush missing a glorious chance for a second as he rifled over from close range, but Leicester offered little at the other end, managing just one off-target shot throughout the match. In fact, they managed just 0.02 xG in 90 minutes, while City created 2.44 xG as they ran out worthy winners. They move up to fourth, with the Manchester derby next up at Old Trafford on Sunday, while Leicester are on a seven-game losing streak without scoring as they remain 12 points from safety. Newcastle United are next up for them. That's all for today, goodbye!
Manchester City vs Leicester City
21:37FULL-TIME: MANCHESTER CITY 2-0 LEICESTER CITY
Manchester City vs Leicester City
21:35Substitution Joško Gvardiol Vitor de Oliveira Nunes dos Reis
Manchester City vs Leicester City
21:34Substitution İlkay Gündoğan Rico Henry Mark Lewis
Manchester City vs Leicester City
21:34We're into three minutes of added time here, and we'll start it with a Marmoush free-kick. He tries to bend it around the wall, but can't get the height on it, and it's comfortably blocked.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
21:32Yellow Card Oliver William Skipp
Manchester City vs Leicester City
21:32Grealish is urging his team-mates to be smart with the ball as Justin claims a free-kick deep in Leicester's half. It gives the Foxes a chance to knock it long upfield, but they can't make anything of it.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
21:28Substitution Sávio Moreira de Oliveira Oscar Bobb
Manchester City vs Leicester City
21:28Leicester have come to life, and though it may be too little, too late, they're putting City under some pressure. When O'Reilly knocks it back to Ederson, Buonanotte closes him down, and only just misses the ball as he attempts to block the clearance.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
21:25There's a long conversation going on over the set-piece, and eventually, Pereira floats it to the back post. Ndidi nods it down, but Grealish gets there first to hook it away.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
21:24Final roll of the dice for Leicester now, and Van Nistelrooy is throwing on a striker. Ayew comes on in place of Daka, and he'll be hoping to make a mark on this free-kick.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
21:23Yellow Card Nicolás González Iglesias
Manchester City vs Leicester City
21:23Gundogan's cross into the box is awkwardly met by Dias, but McAtee keeps it alive with a volley on the left. He's looking for Marmoush in the middle, but Leicester manage to clear their lines.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
21:21Substitution Jérémy Baffour Doku James John McAtee
Manchester City vs Leicester City
21:20Yellow Card Luke Jonathan Thomas
Manchester City vs Leicester City
21:20City have had 85.6% possession in the second half, and no matter what Leicester try, they just can't get a foot in. Their only shot came in the 16th minute, and they've still only had one touch in the opposition box.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
21:18Substitution Boubakary Soumaré Ricardo Domingos Barbosa Pereira
Manchester City vs Leicester City
21:17The resulting free-kick came to nothing, and City's short corner was only half-cleared. Savinho cuts inside from the right to curl it into the six-yard box, but Hermansen punches it to safety.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
21:15City aren't having to stretch themselves too far here. They're comfortable in possession, with no pressure coming their way, and they know this win is pretty much wrapped up at this stage.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
21:14Yellow Card James Michael Justin
Manchester City vs Leicester City
21:13Dias catches out two Leicester players with a reverse pass towards Savinho, who lets it run as he tries to turn Okoli. The defender pushes him out of the way and holds his hands up in apology as City win a free-kick on halfway.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
21:11That was more promising! O'Reilly is left on the floor as Leicester break and Buonanotte attempts to push through City's midfield. Doku tracks across the field brilliantly to cut him off, winning a free-kick in the process.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
21:09After Doku breezed away from Justin to set up Marmoush's last chance earlier, he is now being tightly marked by the wing-back. Every time it's switched out to the Belgian, Justin isn't giving him a yard, smothering his attempts to cross.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
21:08Leicester had not scored a single goal in their last six Premier League outings prior to this game, and they don't look likely to break that duck. They've still only had one shot, not on target, while Faes is the only player to have a touch in City's box.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
21:04OVER! Doku is in acres of space, but it takes City three attempts to get it out to him. When he does receive it, he drills a low cross into the middle, but Marmoush can't keep his effort down, blazing it over the bar from close range.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
21:04Substitution Victor Bernth Flesner Kristiansen Memeh Caleb Okoli
Manchester City vs Leicester City
21:03Substitution Bilal El Khannouss Facundo Valentín Buonanotte
Manchester City vs Leicester City
21:03Van Nistelrooy is preparing another change just as Leicester manage to force City back into their own half once more. Dias goes all the way back to Ederson, but El Khannouss shows no intent to rush him.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
21:03City are getting a lot of joy in their wide areas, with 37.5% of their attacks going down the left and 35.4% down the right. It's down the latter side that they're looking to create now, but Savinho is being tracked all the way by Kristiansen.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
21:00CHANCE! For all their possession in the second half, that's City's first real opening! O'Reilly, who orchestrated City's comeback against Bournemouth, is slipped in by Grealish, but his first-time effort is smothered by Faes.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
20:59City are put under a little bit of pressure here, but all it does is force them back into their own half. Leicester, with El Khannouss now leading from the front after Vardy's departure, can't get a touch on the ball, though.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
20:55Leicester are playing with a back six at the moment in their attempts to keep City from creating another opening. It's not the ideal way to play though as they desperately needs a goal.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
20:54The game is being played solely in Leicester's half, and City aren't having to exert themselves too much. They're happy to keep possession in front of the visitors, patiently waiting for the space to open.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
20:52City have picked up where they left off in the first half and Grealish makes a weaving run into the box. He goes down and throws his hands up in search of a penalty, feeling like he had his legs swept out from under him, but the referee shakes his head.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
20:49City get us back under way at the start of the second half!
Manchester City vs Leicester City
20:48Substitution Jamie Richard Vardy Oliver William Skipp
Manchester City vs Leicester City
20:44Manchester City have been good value for their goals this evening, yet could easily slip into another higher gear if required. They've operated above their 1.94 xG and it feels like a matter of time before they notch again against Leicester who are working from a mere 0.02 xG. Truth be told, the tempo of this game has certainly matched that of an end-of-season contest. It's no doubt been a pleasant change for the Cityzens, given their FA Cup challenge against Bournemouth at the weekend.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
20:40Manchester City enter the interval against Leicester with a comfortable 2-0 lead. The home side were lightning fast out of the gate as Grealish found the net after just one minute and 49 seconds. The Foxes were punished immediately for losing possession in the centre of the park before Doku and Savinho surged forward, with the latter squaring from the right byline. Grealish ghosted in to fire past Hermansen in the bottom-left corner and score for the first time since December 2023. The evening's second goal arrived in the 29th minute with Hermansen playing a massive part. A delicate central ball into the box by Dias caused carnage as the Danish keeper dived into the legs of Faes. It broke to Marmoush and smashed home via the crossbar in damning, slapstick style. While the stopper redeemed himself with a fine tip over from Savinho several minutes later, the two-goal deficit arrives as a tricky one for the so-far uninspiring Foxes.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
20:34HALF-TIME: MANCHESTER CITY 2-0 LEICESTER CITY
Manchester City vs Leicester City
20:33There will be two minutes of added time here.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
20:30Leicester City have not had a shot on target so far in this game.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
20:28After Savinho sees a shot blocked by Faes inside the box, City still seem determined to grab another goal before the break. Doku tries to drive to the left byline, but the defence knock it out for a corner on that side.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
20:26Leicester survive further pressure as first Vardy heads behind for another set piece, and then Hermansen claims the following delivery.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
20:24SAVE! Hermansen punches the near post ball out but City are quick to drive forward once again. Grealish slips the ball back from the left for Savinho and Hermansen tips over excellently!
Manchester City vs Leicester City
20:23The resulting free-kick from the right comes in and City continue to buzz about the Leicester box. Activity culminates with Doku going tumbling, yet referee England is unmoved as he awards City a corner on the left.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
20:20Yellow Card Jamie Richard Vardy
Manchester City vs Leicester City
20:19City fly forward once again, yet despite continued hyperactivity in the Leicester box, Savinho can only slam his effort comfortably over.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
20:18Manchester City have scored 34 first-half goals in 30 games, more than any other team in the Premier League this season.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
20:15Goal Omar Khaled Mohamed Abd Elsala Marmoush
Manchester City vs Leicester City
20:15Aside from El Khannouss's sighter, Leicester haven't looked like threatening here. City are just working the ball around in typical robotic fashion, searching for cracks in the East Midlands armour.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
20:13As City enjoy the majority of possession, this has forced Ndidi to attempt four tackles in this game, more than any other player. It's a real midfield skirmish.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
20:09Daka dummies Gvardiol well initially, yet just can't regain control as the Croatian ushers him out of danger for a City goal kick.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
20:07Before today, Manchester City had won nine of their last 10 Premier League games against Leicester, winning the last six in a row by an aggregate score of 15-4.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
20:05Leicester make decent progress up their left side. Ndidi then plays the ball in-field to El Khannouss, and the Moroccan looks to bend one for the far-right side, but it's a whisker wide of the right post.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
20:02City attack with a new wave of pressure now as Gonzalez blocks an attempted clearance. He then crosses before the Foxes just about manage to keep the ball where they want it.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
20:01Ndidi crosses early into the City box, yet Dias gets a strong foot on it to steer it from danger. The ball is then quickly back with Ederson in the next phase.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
19:58In come the fans who sat out the first nine minutes of the match in protest of Manchester City's latest deal with a third-party ticket resale company.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
19:58Doku looks to bob and weave on the left in signature fashion, yet stumbles and falls over. He then goes down again trying to get the ball off Justin. Soumare is fouled in the Leicester half and the visitors can try and start an attack.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
19:55Savinho nearly has Leicester backs up against as he slides in on Thomas. However, the Foxes just about recover. In the next phase, a long ball finds Justin on the right before City get the ball back, and Gundogan is eventually brought down by Daka tracking back.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
19:54While it was quick in this game, that goal had been a long time coming for Grealish. That was his first Premier League goal since December 2023 against Crystal Palace.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
19:53That goal arriving after just 1:49 means it's the fastest goal for Manchester City in the Premier League this season.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
19:49Assist Sávio Moreira de Oliveira
Manchester City vs Leicester City
19:48Goal Jack Peter Grealish
Manchester City vs Leicester City
19:47Vardy plays the ball back to Hermansen and we're off in Manchester!
Manchester City vs Leicester City
19:47After the Premier League anthem echoes around a steadily-filling Etihad, the players shake hands and the referee meets with the respective captains of Dias and Vardy. Leicester will kick us off this evening, playing from right to left.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
19:43Today's referee Darren England brings out the sides as the Etihad shines in the early evening haze. This is the first game played here since the clocks went forward, and it's really showing.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
19:28Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester have not played since 16 March when they lost 3-0 to Manchester United. They remain unchanged from that match.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
19:28Pep Guardiola makes six changes to the side that beat Bournemouth to reach the FA Cup semi-finals on Sunday. One is forced with Erling Haaland ruled out for seven weeks with an ankle injury, while Bernardo Silva, Mateo Kovacic, Phil Foden, Abdukodir Khusanov and Kevin de Bruyne move to the bench. Nico O'Reilly's brilliant performance at the weekend earns him a place in the starting XI with Jack Grealish, Jeremy Doku, Omar Marmoush Savinho and Nico Gonzalez also given the nod. A bit of good news for City fans comes in the form of Oscar Bobb, who is on the bench for the first time since breaking his leg.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
19:22SUBS: Jakub Stolarczyk, Caleb Okoli, Ricardo Pereira, Woyo Coulibaly, Oliver Skipp, Bobby Reid, Facundo Buonanotte, Jordan Ayew, Stephy Mavididi.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
19:22LEICESTER CITY (3-4-2-1): Mads Hermansen; Wout Faes, Conor Coady, Luke Thomas; James Justin, Wilfred Ndidi, Boubakary Soumare, Victor Kristiansen; Patson Daka, Bilal El Khannouss; Jamie Vardy.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
19:17SUBS: Stefan Ortega, Rico Lewis, Vitor Reis, Bernardo Silva, James McAtee, Kevin De Bruyne, Mateo Kovacic, Oscar Bobb, Phil Foden.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
19:17MANCHESTER CITY (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Nico O'Reilly; Nico Gonzalez, Ilkay Gundogan; Savinho, Jack Grealish, Jeremy Doku; Omar Marmoush.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
19:17Manchester City welcome Championship-bound Leicester to the Etihad tonight as they look to boost their chances of a Champions League finish. The Citizens booked their customary spot in the semi-finals of the FA Cup over the weekend, securing a 2-1 win from behind away at Bournemouth. The Foxes have been afforded two weeks to analyse yet another disappointing defeat in the top flight. Ruud van Nistelrooy's men suffered their seventh straight Premier League defeat at the King Power Stadium prior to the international break, with goals from Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes sealing a comfortable 3-0 success for Manchester United. Will this clash be a routine City win after a tricky FA Cup duel with the Cherries? Or, will the Foxes offer something a little more cunning to make their dismal season a little brighter?
Manchester City vs Leicester City
19:17Hello everyone, and welcome to live text coverage from the Premier League's 30th matchday. Today, it's Manchester City v Leicester at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
19:15Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
Manchester City vs Leicester City
17:45Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
