Erling Haaland cracked another brace - setting up what Pep Guardiola called a ‘Premier League final’ against Arsenal.
The Norwegian took his Premier League tally to 32 - level with record-holder Mohamed Salah - as lowly Leicester were sentenced to a 3-1 defeat. Manchester City now lie just three points behind their title rivals and the visit of Mikel Arteta’s men will be their next league encounter.
But before then, they face a Champions League return against Bayern Munich and FA Cup semi-final against Sheffield United. Guardiola said: “We spoke one month ago about having the chance to be close to them. We wanted this opportunity.
“They have had an incredible run. It’s just been win, win and win for us. What you have to do is to be in there. And we are. I would say it’s a final - for the chance to play more finals - because if you lose this game, it will be almost over.
“So this was important for us, for the final we have against them.”
Guardiola defended himself after making just three changes to the side that beat Bayern Munich in midweek, starting Haaland, despite saying before he needed to wrap the striker in cotton wool.
He was rewarded as Manchester City raced into a three-goal lead inside the first 30 minutes. He said: “In general, after the Champions League game, you always have the tendency to think about that competition.
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“I wanted to make more rotation but my experience of that, if you rotate, the team drops a lot.”
Haaland has now scored 14 goals in his last six matches as he took his tally for the season to 47, although he was denied a hat-trick as he was withdrawn at half-time.
Guardiola added: “He can break all the records possible, that will help him. It’s impressive. He’s close to breaking all of them records. You can put all the statistics you like in front of me - all I can say is that I’m impressed.
“He accepted the decision. He was excellent as always. He played 90 minutes in midweek, it was good for him to rest.”
Leicester boss Dean Smith said: “We came with a game plan - it was to stay in the game. My natural instinct is to go and press them. But I’ve seen too many top teams do that and come away with a hiding.
“Bayern Munich came to have a go at them - and were beaten 3-0. You do fear the worst when you give them a one-nil lead in the first five minutes, it’s two after ten and three after 20.
“But if you look at the goals in isolation, John Stones has put one into the net with his left foot from 20 yards, then there was a handball - I’m not sure where he had to put his hand - and all of a sudden we’re two down.
“Obviously, I’m disappointed but our season won’t be defined here. We have a run of games where we have to win matches and a two-goal deficit to the best team in the world isn’t the end of the world.”
