Manchester City travelled to Leicester knowing that three points would keep them comfortably in the title race.
The Foxes, meanwhile, found themselves just a point above the relegation zone at kick-off after five winless games.
An easy three points for the visitors, then, even without the suspended Sergio Agüero? Not quite.
Instead, the hosts were 2-0 up within five minutes, and three to the good before the clock read 20.
Guardiola getting a taste of last season’s Leicester. Incredible start!
— Ravi (@ravi_hiranand) December 10, 2016
What on earth is Leicester 3-0 Manchester City. Have we gone back to last season again?
— Adam Brandon (@AdamBrandon84) December 10, 2016
Predictably, attention turned towards Pep Guardiola and his creative approach to the game, which included playing Pablo Zabaleta in a midfield role.
https://twitter.com/janhopis/status/807651721140994049
Whatever the former Bayern Munich boss was trying to do, it wasn’t working.
More innovation from Pep: City making the pitch as big as possible when they don't have the ball and as small as possible when they do
— Dion Fanning (@dionfanning) December 10, 2016
Wonder if Pep makes some of these decisions just to troll. Get the fan boys defending him regardless. #City #Mcfc
— Andrew 🦄🏴 (@thegibshow_) December 10, 2016
Altogether now. 3, 2, 1…FRAUDIOLA
— Archie Rhind-Tutt (@archiert1) December 10, 2016
Of course, Claudio Bravo’s input played a part, as usual.
https://twitter.com/andi_thomas/status/807646007110602752
Leicester managed to add a fourth goal in the second half, Jamie Vardy capitalising on a John Stones mistake to complete his hat-trick.
And at least that goal allowed people to take a break from the Man City pile-on. For about two seconds.
https://twitter.com/nathenmcvittie/status/807662656211525635
When do we acknowledge that Stones isn't a good centre-back?
— Joe Brewin (@Joe_Brewin_) December 10, 2016
https://twitter.com/_Zeets/status/807663017391337472
There was still time for Aleksandar Kolarov to pull one back with a free-kick and set up Nolito for a second Man City goal, but the damage was well and truly done.
And it didn’t do much to improve the Serbian defender midfielder defender’s evening.
https://twitter.com/TintinnyTins/status/807646975214632961
https://twitter.com/_Zeets/status/807644606770782208
We can stop calling Otamendi the weak link now I think. I'm yet to figure out where Kolarov is actually supposed to be playing
— Sam Parker (@SmParker8) December 10, 2016
It finished 4-1, lifting Leicester to 14th and leaving Guardiola’s team four points adrift from league leaders Chelsea.
That margin will become seven if Antonio Conte’s team beat West Bromwich Albion tomorrow – a stark contrast from earlier in the campaign.
End of September Chelsea were 8 points behind City…..
— Shivam Manghnani (@shivamLM) December 10, 2016
Catch up with this week’s episode of Football Friday Live
