Leicester, Man City draw 0-0; Arsenal top going into 2016

Kompany returned from injury as a substitute on Boxing Day but soon limped off again and faces another three to four weeks out due to a fresh problem with the same calf.

But Jamie Vardy had the game’s best chance as Danny Drinkwater capitalised on poor play, dispossessing the Citizens deep in their half before passing to the England forward, who drove his one-on-one effort over the bar.

But considering City’s star-studded side, Ranieri and Leicester will be glad to get a point and end 2015 level with Arsenal and second on the log on goal difference.

But Manchester City are now without a win in six away games in the Premier League – a record that has prevented them building fully on their flying start to the season.

The clash between the division’s two top-scoring sides provided plenty of entertaining moments but keepers Kasper Schmeichel and Joe Hart were equal to everything thrown at them. We have to play 63 points more.

“It is another fantastic test for us against a great team”, added Ranieri.

“… Now we have an important game to finish the first round of the fixtures”.

He said: “I think we are returning to a very solid and consistent team, which is important”. I’d like my players to continue to fight like today.

The veteran midfielder scored his 175th Premier League goal after receiving a pass from Samir Nasri, and his side held on despite Jamie Vardy and Esteban Cambiasso going close for the hosts.

They are just one point away from manager Claudio Ranieri’s initial target of 40 points with their supporters beginning to dream of a genuine title challenge. “That’s it. We have the time”. The first half of the season is magnificent and I don’t have words to say how happy I am.

While Manchester City may be formidable at home, there is a missing link away from home that is undermining their chances of taking the Premier League title back from Chelsea. Manuel Pellegrini is aware that Leicester can not be taken lightly as they have moved up the table after managing to get results against the top teams. Marc Albrighton could not apply the finishing touch after a wonderful left-wing delivery from Christian Fuchs and, shortly afterwards, the ball was at Vardy’s feet in the position where he loves to be, bearing down on goal with the time to draw back his foot and pick his spot. “We showed good shape, we defended well and closed the space well, but we need to improve when we want to go straight away and score the goal”.

“I think that if they are the top of the table it’s because that they deserve it”, Pellegrini said. Leicester, the success story of 2015, gave the impression they still want to be in our thoughts in 2016, too.