Frank Lampard's first-half strike has ensured that Manchester City have kept pace with Chelsea at the top of the Premier League with a narrow 1-0 win over Leicester City.
Despite picking up three crucial points, the Citizens were dealt a double blow as Edin Dzeko picked up an injury in the warm-up before Vincent Kompany hobbled off late on with a hamstring injury.
Eliaquim Mangala had the first chance of the game but he couldn't connect properly with 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.
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There were few chances in the second half as both sides cancelled each other out, although Leicester felt aggrieved that they were not awarded a penalty when Vardy went down under a challenge from Managala in the 58th minute.
Martin Demichelis replaced Kompany late on and the centre-back had to stand firm as Leicester piled on the pressure in the closing stages.
Ulloa arrived from the bench and his deflected strike on the turn fell behind for a corner while Cambiasso continued to launch dangerous balls into the box, but City held on to pick up their fifth successive league victory.
Kristian Johnson
