Frank Lampard has struck shortly before the break to give Manchester City a 1-0 lead over Leicester City at half time in their game at the King Power Stadium.
The visitors were dealt a blow before a ball was even kicked as Edin Dzeko picked up a calf injury in the warm-up and was replaced by Jose Pozo.
Nonetheless, they had the first chance of the game, but Eliaquim Mangala couldn't connect properly with Vincent Kompany's header across the box from Samir Nasri's deep free kick in the third minute.
In the absence of Leonardo Ulloa, Jamie Vardy led the Leicester line and his pace caused the Premier League champions problems.
In the 11th minute, he sped away from three markers and only a lunging challenge from Mangala turned the forward's shot behind for a corner.
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Esteban Cambiasso then almost embarrassed Joe Hart with a free kick in the 22nd minute. The England goalkeeper was expecting a cross as the midfielder stepped up to strike the ball from 35 yards out, but instead the 34-year-old went for goal and Hart was relieved the see the shot graze the near post on its way out of play.
City almost put themselves ahead in the 31st minute after a flowing move involving clever flicks from Lampard and David Silva ended with Ben Hamer making a stretching save from Yaya Toure's goalbound strike.
Hamer was helpless to prevent Lampard from putting City 1-0 ahead in the 39th minute though, as the midfielder turned home Nasri's low cross.
Kristian Johnson
