Premier League Recap: Chelsea Inch Closer Towards Title, Leicester City Towards Relegation

Manchester United 3, Leicester City 0

Goals

• Henrikh Mkhitaryan (42′)
• Zlatan Ibrahimovic (44′)
• Juan Mata (49′)

Recap

Manchester United went from being frustrated offensively to putting the game away and sending Leicester City further into relegation danger all in the span of seven minutes. The loss marks Leicester City’s fourth consecutive loss in the league, while the win is United’s first in four games after drawing their previous three.

There wasn’t too much of note for the large majority of the first half, but two United counter-attacks changed the complexion of the game on the stroke of half-time.

It started with a great play from Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who took a good touch to get past Robert Huth. He then used his top-tier pace to race away from Wes Morgan, who couldn’t catch him before the finish ended up in the back of the net for a 1-0 United lead.

Mkhitaryan's opening goal against Leicester City#mufc pic.twitter.com/ffkz18RUG8

— Jugan (@jugan_is_red) February 6, 2017

Just two minutes later, Zlatan Ibrahimovic doubled the lead for the visitors with his 15th goal of the season. Antonio Valencia sent in a low, cut-back cross from the right wing. The pass found Ibrahimovic in the middle of the box, and he kept his cool to finish easily for the 2-0 lead.

Four minutes after the restart, Mata sealed the fate of the game.

A nice one-two between Mkhitaryan and Ibrahimovic in the middle of the park set up a nice counter-attack opportunity. Mkhitaryan drove at the Leicester City defense, and layed it off for Mata on the right wing. Mata cut in, played a one-two with Mkhitaryan, and being one-on-one with keeper Kasper Schmeichel, finished it near post.

32flags: Juan Mata goal: Leicester City 0-3 Manchester United NBC Sport… Premier League Soc… https://t.co/pInWgGBZD5 pic.twitter.com/bXz2PuSBew

— FanSportsClips (@FanSportsClips) February 5, 2017

United now sit only two points off the final Champions League spot.

Leicester City meanwhile, are in a world of trouble.

They’re currently launching the worst title defense ever by a defending Premier League champion. They currently sit in 16th, just one point above the relegation zone. They’re winless in their past five games, getting outscored 10-0 over that span, including three 3-0 thumpings. Claudio Ranieri has a real situation on his hands as some in the media have begun to question whether he should be fired in spite of what happened last season.

This match did nothing to alleviate those concerns.