A moment of magic sent Manchester City back to the top of the Premier League as the champions held firm without Erling Haaland.

No Erling Haaland, no problem. If you're missing a superstar that can make a difference, just send for another one.

Kevin De Bruyne has been a Manchester City matchwinner ever since Haaland was still a fan watching at the Etihad Stadium.

It was the Belgian's moment of brilliance that made the difference in a tight 1-0 victory over Leicester City.

His unstoppable second-half free-kick dipped and kicked beyond Foxes' keeper Danny Ward to secure the three points that moved them above Arsenal for 24 hours at least.

Getty ImagesThe Winners

Kevin De Bruyne:

An easily forgettable game will be remembered for one moment of genius.

Clear opportunities were difficult to create as Leicester defended deep, and winning a free-kick 25 yards' out represented a decent sight of goal.

Still, it needs something special and particularly against a goalkeeper in Danny Ward who had not conceded in more than five hours and was starting to look unbeatable.

Up stepped De Bruyne with a perfect strike that deviated in the air before smashing into the inside of the post and across the line for a crucial breakthrough.

The man is just incredible.

Ederson:

Just as crucial as De Bruyne's brilliant goal was a stunning save from Ederson less than 10 minutes later.

Leicester had a gameplan for any dead-ball positions around the box and it almost worked to perfection.

Youri Tielemans, who scored with a spectacular strike at Wolves last week, connected perfectly with a volley on the edge of the box from James Maddison's corner.

But Ederson managed to stretch out his fingers to touch the ball onto the bar and deny a second moment of Belgian brilliance.

Pep Guardiola:

Erling Haaland has made such an impact, today was a nice reminder that City are capable of winning without their talisman.

Leicester didn't make it easy with an ultra-defensive approach so missing a striker like Haaland that can find space in a telephone box was always going to be a blow.

But Guardiola guided City to two titles without a recognised striker so it was a return to a patient style of play rather than searching out a central focus.

City dominated possession and got the goal they needed to take a familiar spot at the top of the Premier League.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesThe Losers

Julian Alvarez:

All eyes were on the Argentinian as soon as it was confirmed that Haaland wouldn't be fit enough to be part of the squad.

But while Brendan Rodgers said he was sliding on his knees when he found out the Norwegian wasn't starting, it didn't alter his approach.

Leicester's onus was very much on the defence with 10 players permanently stationed around the box for 75 minutes, giving Alavarez little space to work in.

He broke through in the 15th minute to face a save from Ward, although he was narrowly given offside. Openings were difficult to come by and should Haaland miss out again, it's now unclear if Guardiola will keep faith with Alvarez.

The fans:

Man City's Premier League matches had seen 47 goals – and Leicester's 45 – going into the game so this should have been an entertaining match.

Except that the home side seemed to be settling for a goalless draw from the very first minute.

Leicester remain in a relegation battle so a point against the champions would have been very welcome, with their recent upturn having been built on solidity.

What was perhaps more surprising was that recent results saw them look a real danger in the final 15 minutes and Rodgers may wonder what might have happened had he gone for it even earlier.

Gareth Southgate:

England's first World Cup game is just over three weeks away and the Three Lions' boss is closing in on his final squad.

Among his big decisions over who is on the flight to Qatar and who is left behind is around places in midfield.

Jack Grealish and James Maddison are fighting for a spot and while both were neat and tidy, neither made a convincing argument to be a certainty.

Grealish won the free-kick for De Bruyne's goal and Maddison delivered Tielemans' chance, but both will hope to offer more in the final matches before the Premier League stops.

Getty ImagesRatings: Defence

Ederson (8/10):

Spent the majority of the game as a spectator but was alert when called upon, including his stunning save from Tielemans.

John Stones (6/10):

Switched to right-back and faced an intriguing battle against Leicester's biggest threat with the pace of Barnes.

Manuel Akanji (6/10):

Had to balance between going forward and making sure there was no danger on the break and got it right.

Aymeric Laporte (7/10):

Jamie Vardy has so often been City's nemesis down the years but Laporte shut down his threat on the counter-attack.

Joao Cancelo (6/10):

Played as a virtual left winger to offer an extra attacker but found little room whenever he cut inside.

Getty ImagesMidfield

Rodri (6/10):

Leicester's defensive tactics gave him a licence to get forward and he offered the aerial threat missing with Haaland's absence but couldn't find a goal, going close with one low drive.

Kevin De Bruyne (8/10):

Was prepared to take chances with quick deliveries that didn't always come off but stepped up to make the difference with a phenomenal free-kick.

Ilkay Gundogan (6/10):

So often the player that times his runs to make the difference in tight games but even he was shackled.