First half goals from Jack Grealish and Omar Marmoush were enough for Manchester City to beat Leicester City and move into the top four of the Premier League.
Grealish’s third minute goal was missed by many supporters in the ground, who were boycotting the first nine minutes of the game by staying in the concourse to protest against City’s official partnership with Viagogo, a ticket touting agency.
The second half brought little excitement, other than a cameo for Oscar Bobb, who was making his first appearance since August 10th due to being sidelined with a broken leg.
Here are three things we learned as City triumphed against the Foxes:
Protest makes a statement - but is unlikely to change anything
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It must be said - even from someone who didn’t protest - that the scene of Grealish scoring in front of a half empty South Stand was very telling.
That’s one of the reasons I didn’t boycott; my seat is off camera so wouldn’t make the intended visual impact, and I felt it’d be too much of a punishment on the players to not show them my support from the first whistle.
Particularly in this case, with Grealish scoring his first Premier League goal in more than a year on the 25th anniversary of the death of his little brother.
The club will likely not care one jot about the protest - we’ve seen too many times their lack of regard for the people who’ve had season tickets stretching back over a few decades.
But fan group We Are 1894 have achieved their goal. They’ve made the national news, attracted sympathy from other supporters, not caused any trouble, and made a very necessary point in a peaceful and respectful manner.
The next step will be merchandise boycotting, more demonstrations outside the stadium, removal from the cup schemes and eventually full match boycotts and eventually for some, not renewing their season ticket.
Grealish in line to start the derby?
Manchester City FC v Leicester City FC - Premier League Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images
Starting in what’s believed to be his preferred position of central attacking midfield, Grealish impacted the game with more than just his goal.
City’s number ten was everywhere; gliding around the midfield and linking up well with his teammates.
He attacked the box well for his goal too, which will increase his confidence, and with City’s current midfield shortages, it looks as though he could be in line to start against Manchester United at the weekend.
I’d personally go for a lineup of experience after Jeremy Doku and to a lesser extent Savinho frustrated against the Foxes, which for me would include Grealish on the left.
It may not be his best position, but he’s increasing his form and confidence and anyone who can’t say they’re delighted for him is lying.
Gvardiol is proving himself as a centre back
Manchester City FC v Leicester City FC - Premier League Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images
One player I didn’t quite anticipate being the solution to City’s centre back issue - largely because of his performances all season at left back - is Josko Gvardiol
The 23-year-old started in what was his most natural position before joining City in 2023 from RB Leipzig: the left hand centre back in a back four.
He was partnered at the back by Ruben Dias, with the once again impressive Nico O’Reilly starting at left back.
It seems like something of a waste to put him at centre back when he’s so accomplished going forwards, but there’s always the prospect that he could develop into the kind of role that John Stones made his own when City won the treble two years ago.
He’s one of a few players that the present and future of Manchester City should be built around; along with Erling Haaland, Rodri an in form Phil Foden and increasingly Marmoush too, he sits at the highest table when it comes to City’s most indispensable players.