Man City avoid Leicester scare in nine-goal thriller

Manchester City survived a scare but ran out 6-3 victors in a Boxing Day classic against Leicester as Pep Guardiola’s team moved six points clear of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.

The hosts raced into a 4-0 lead inside 25 minutes but Brendan Rodgers tweaked his system at the break and Leicester sensationally got the game back to 4-3 after three goals in 10 minutes, but two late City goals took the game back in their favour.

Kevin De Bruyne got things rolling after five minutes before Riyad Mahrez scored from the spot on 14 minutes. Two more goals followed before the 25th minute as Ilkay Gundogan and a Raheem Sterling penalty put City in a seemingly unassailable lead.

But Leicester came roaring back when James Maddison, Ademola Lookman and Kelechi Iheanacho scored three quickfire goals after the break to leave the Premier League leaders a little panicked.

Ayermic Laporte eased those nerves by heading home for 5-3 before some more poor defending from Leicester from a set-piece allowed Sterling to poke home from close range.

City have now won their last nine Premier League games, scoring 30 goals in the process.