PLAYER RATINGS: Walker was near-perfect in defence while Iheanacho was a virtual spectator

Manchester City took another huge step towards becoming Premier League champions once again after comfortably beating Leicester City on their own patch.
Goals from Benjamin Mendy and Gabriel Jesus wrapped up all three points for Pep Guardiola‘s men, which sees them move to within 11 points of claiming yet another top-flight title.
Sportsmail’s IAN WHITTELL cast his eye over both sets of players during their clash on Saturday evening.

Manchester City eased past Leicester to take one step closer to winning the title
Leicester City (3-4-1-2)
Kasper Schmeichel – 5.5
Terrible kicking added to Leicester’s problems as they were penned in for long spells but made some good reflex saves.
Daniel Amartey – 6
Fearless display and threw himself in the way of plenty of City attacks but struggled with their mobile and intelligent forward play.
Jonny Evans – 6
Needed all of his experience to marshal his over-worked defence. His positional sense and know how bailed him out of tricky situations.
Wesley Fofana – 5.5
Highly-rated youngster battled hard against Mahrez but could not cope with City’s aggressive press on the ball.

Foxes defender Wesley Fofana (right) could not cope with City’s aggressive press on the ball
Marc Albrighton – 4.5
Spent most of the game as right-back in a back five, rather than wing-back in midfield. Could have done more to stop Mendy before his shot.
Wilfred Ndidi – 6
Booked for a foul on De Bruyne, one of several, and looked overwhelmed by Fernandinho and City’s midfield.
Youri Tielemans – 7
His 48th minute shot forced Ederson into his first save and another effort was blocked soon after, rare moments of creativity he was able to muster.
Timothy Castagne – 6
Poor clearance almost led to a goal as it was blocked by Mahrez but put in a real shift of defensive work from wing-back.
Ayoze Perez – 6
Like all his team, was mostly used in defensive mode but his neat pass set up Vardy for his disallowed “goal.”
Kelechi Iheanacho – 5.5
Armed with a new contract announced before kick-off, was a virtual spectator but led a great break which set up Tielemans after the break.
Jamie Vardy – 7
Little service but showed what he was capable of with a great finish for a disallowed first half effort. Worked tirelessly.

Kelechi Iheanacho (left) was a bystander at times while Jamie Vardy (right) worked tirelessly
Substitutes
Ricardo Pereira for Albrighton 71mins – 5
James Maddison for Iheanacho 71mins – 5
Nampalys Mendy for Ndidi 83mins
Subs (not used): Ward, Choudhury, Praet, Thomas, Daley-Campbell, Suengchitthawon
Manchester City (4-1-2-3)
Ederson – 6.5
Spent long periods with literally nothing to do but was alert when occasionally forced into action.
Kyle Walker – 9
With Leicester sitting back, had plenty of space to show off his amazing range of passing and showed perfect concentration in defence.

Kyle Walker show off his amazing range of passing and had perfect concentration in defence
Ruben Dias – 7.5
Made a great block to deflect a rare Tielemans shot behind and coped easily on the odd occasion Leicester got out of their half.
Aymeric Laporte – 7
Faultless display from the centre-half, who had to be wary of Leicester on the counter. Solid and disciplined.
Benjamin Mendy – 7.5
Unlikely scorer of the opening goal, with a rare right-foot shot, but deserved for a solid display in which he made big attacking contribution.
Fernandinho – 8
Hit a brilliant long shot which was ruled out early and bossed the midfield as a the lone man in front of City’s back four.
Kevin De Bruyne – 8.5
Hit the cross-bar with a sensational free-kick, one of many brilliant set-pieces, and passing was as peerless as usual, had a hand in both goals.

Kevin De Bruyne (right) had a hand in both goals and was imperious as always in a City shirt
Rodri – 7.5
Played more advanced than usual but added rock solid presence to midfield and looked keen in the final third too.
Riyad Mahrez – 6.5
Former Fox had a couple of good openings, one hit straight at Schmeichel, but his second half shot, saved by Schmeichel, led to the opener.
Sergio Aguero – 5
In the week he announced he’s leaving, showed he is still way short of his usual sharpness. Volleyed his best chance wide and subbed early.
Gabriel Jesus – 8
Hit one great opening meekly at the keeper but showed some nice touches in and around the box before claiming a deserved goal.

In a week he announced he’s leaving, Aguero showed he’s still way short of his usual sharpness
Substitutes
Raheem Sterling for Aguero 62mins – 7
Ferran Torres for Mahrez 78mins – 6
Phil Foden for De Bruyne 88mins
Subs (not used): Stones, Ake, Gundogan, Silva, Cancelo, Carson.
Referee: Anthony Taylor – 6