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Manchester City’s Premier League title bid took a huge blow on Saturday evening when they paid a visit to the King Power Stadium, where they were beaten 4-2 at the hands of Premier League Champions.
Through a mixture of Leicester brilliance and Manchester City’s shambolic defending, Pep Guardiola’s men found themselves 3-0 down within the first twenty minutes of the game. Jamie Vardy ended his scoring drought early on in the piece to fire the Foxes ahead before Andy King doubled Leicester’s lead a few minutes later.
Vardy bagged his second of the game twenty minutes in before Manchester City started to take control of the game, enjoying more than three-quarters of possession in the first period. City continued to dominate beyond the break, but it was Leicester who scored the fourth goal of the game. Vardy bagged his hat-trick as John Stones’ backpass was a weak one, the Englishman took full advantage, his shot creeping over the line.
Aleksander Kolarov scored a delightful free-kick to make it 4-1 which in fact was City’s first shot on target of the game, and Nolito bagged another consolation goal as the game finished 4-2.
It was yet another shambolic performance from the City defence, and big money signing John Stones, who received a lot of criticism for his latest showing. Despite making three clearances and three interceptions, the Englishman failed to win a tackle or an aerial duel.
It is more than fair to say that Stones has not lived up to his reputation following a high profile £47.5m move to Manchester City, and he has been ripped apart on Twitter following his latest horrific display.
John Stones? Do me a favour. Most overrated English player I’ve ever seen. Positionally poor, struggles reading the game.
— Tom McDermott (@footballmcd) 10 December 2016
John stones is garbage
— craig weale (@craigweale1979) 10 December 2016
John Stones… what a disaster of a defender.
— Matt Thor (@JakesBakesCakes) 10 December 2016
John Stones is potentially one of the worst centre backs in the Premier League.
— Jordan (@JordanVarty) 10 December 2016
John Stones wasn’t good enough to make Hodgson’s XI in the summer. The comparisons with Rio Ferdinand were are absurd. Rio could defend
— Steve Moore (@steve4good) 10 December 2016
John Stones is still guaranteed to do something daft at least once every other game. Could be his last start for awhile. #LCFCvMCFC
— Mark Usher (@3Lions4Ever) 10 December 2016
Manchester City’s title hopes have taken a huge hit following this defeat at Leicester, and if Spurs win at Old Trafford they could drop out the top four as well as potentially dropping seven points off top spot. If they are to make a surge to the top of the table again, their defence will have to improve, and players like Stone will have to step up and improve.
