Savinho and Erling Haaland’s goals gave Manchester City a much-needed 2-0 win at Leicester City on Sunday, the champions’ first win in five Premier League games.

The result meant Pep Guardiola celebrated his 500th game as City manager with a win, in what proved to be one of the most difficult periods of his successful career.

City’s second win in 14 games in all competitions meant they climbed two places to fifth in the Premier League standings with 31 points, 11 points behind leaders Liverpool, who still have two games in hand. Leicester remain in the relegation zone in 18th place.

Savinho scored his first goal for City in the 21st minute when he capitalized on a rebound from Phil Foden’s long-range shot after Leicester goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk had pushed the ball into his path. The Brazilian international shot into the net from a tight angle.

DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images

---

Haaland, who scored just two goals in eight league games during the worst period of his Premier League career, doubled City’s lead in the 74th minute when he headed in a cross from Savinho, who was taking advantage of a pass from Kevin De Bruyne brought home.

However, the victory was anything but child’s play.

Leicester fans were screaming for a penalty early on when Jamie Vardy found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Stefan Ortega following a counter-attack. Ortega brought down Vardy in the penalty area but Man City were saved by the offside flag.

Josko Gvardiol almost cost Guardiola’s team a goal in the first half when he intercepted a disastrous header back to Ortega. City’s disorganized defensive line meant Facundo Buonanotte’s shot rattled off the crossbar a few minutes later.

Leicester had another great chance early in the second half when Vardy headed into the box and James Justin touched it so it went into the net before Manuel Akanji cleared the ball on the line.