Leaders Man City hit six after Leicester scare

Manchester City powered six points clear at the top of the Premier League after quashing Leicester's comeback bid in a pulsating 6-3 win on Sunday.

Pep Guardiola's rampant side scored four times in the opening 25 minutes of a Christmas cracker at the Etihad Stadium.

Kevin De Bruyne struck first before Riyad Mahrez converted a penalty.

Ilkay Gundogan bagged City's third and Raheem Sterling scored a penalty of his own.

James Maddison, Ademola Lookman and Kelechi Iheanacho all netted for Leicester in the space of just 10 minutes early in the second half.

But Aymeric Laporte killed off the visitors' hopes of an incredible escape act by heading City's fifth goal before Sterling scored again in the final minutes.

It was the highest scoring match in the top-flight on Boxing Day since Manchester United won 6-3 against Oldham in 1991.

"It was a rollercoaster, a typical Boxing Day game with a lot of goals. For everyone it was an entertaining game," Guardiola said.

"It's another victory, so important to continue our run, but it was weird. At 4-2 the mindset of the players changed.

"At 4-3 the game was close to being equalized, or even them winning the game, because their mindset was high and we had doubts.

"But we were patient and we had chances, and from set-pieces we won the game."

With second placed Liverpool's match against Leeds on Sunday postponed due to the coronavirus, City were able to extend their lead over their main title rivals.