Kevin De Bruyne sends Manchester City top of Premier League

Manchester City have climbed to the top of the Premier League after securing a 1-0 victory against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium this afternoon.

In a tightly fought contest at the King Power on Saturday lunchtime, Pep Guardiola's side secured "a massive win" thanks to De Bruyne's swerving 49th-minute free-kick 

As a result, City made light of the absence of the Premier League's top scorer, who had started every game this season following his summer move, scoring 22 goals, but had not recovered from an ankle knock in time to feature, to move a point clear of Arsenal at the top of the table before their home clash with Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

Leicester, meanwhile, saw their three-game unbeaten run come to an end and they remain 17th in the table, for now, two points above the relegation zone.

Pep Guardiola made seven changes to the side that drew 0-0 with Borussia Dortmund in midweek, with Julian Alvarez handed a start up front in the absence of Haaland.

City unsurprisingly dominated proceedings in the first half, but they were frustrated by Leicester's robust back-five set-up and struggled to create many clear-cut chances.

After an uneventful first 45, the game came to life after the interval and the visitors made the breakthrough in the 49th minute courtesy of a stunning 30-yard free kick from De Bruyne.

Man City failed to score in each of their last three away games across all competitions prior to their visit to the King Power Stadium, and even without the presence of Haaland, Guardiola's side found a way to record their ninth Premier League win of the season.

City will now turn their attention to Wednesday's Champions League clash at home against Sevilla before welcoming Fulham to the Etihad Stadium for their next Premier League fixture on November 5, while Leicester will prepare for next weekend's trip to Everton.