Pep Guardiola's team will be without Erling Haaland for up to seven weeks because of an ankle injury, but the Norwegian's absence proved a minor inconvenience here.

Grealish's first league goal in almost 16 months – since a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace in December 2023 – put City ahead before two minutes had passed.

After Jeremy Doku's driving run through the centre, Savinho's intelligent cutback found Grealish and he side-footed home with confidence.

Bilal El Khannouss curled just wide to cap a rare Leicester attack, the first of just two shots the Foxes attempted in the game, but City went 2-0 up in the 29th minute.

Mads Hermansen dropped Ruben Dias's chipped pass under pressure from his own team-mate Wout Faes, and the grateful Omar Marmoush rifled off the woodwork and in.

Savinho was denied by Hermansen shortly afterwards and a strong block from Faes kept Nico O'Reilly – on his first Premier League start – off the scoresheet in the second half.

But City was largely content to play in front of a beaten Leicester team, as it moved two points above Chelsea, ahead of the Blues facing Tottenham Hotspur on Friday (AEDT).

Grealish dedicated his goal to his brother on the 25th anniversary of his death.

"With me always, especially this day. That was for you, Keelan," he wrote on his Instagram account.

City boss Pep Guardiola paid tribute to Grealish's bravery after the game, describing him as an "incredible human being".

Guardiola was also full of praise for his midfielder's performance and suggested that more opportunities in a central role could be forthcoming.

Guardiola said: "I didn't know [about the anniversary]. I can't imagine how tough it can be for mum and dad, his sister and all the family.

"Jack is an incredible human being. It's good that this day he remembers him. I'm pretty sure they remember every single day.

"He scored a goal and made a good game. He likes to play in the middle.

"He's a guy who used to play free. He's comfortable playing on the side. Always between the lines, he has ability. I'm happy for him.

"I know it's not easy when you don't play regularly. Last game in the FA Cup he played really good."

Leicester remains 19th, 12 points adrift of 17th-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers with just eight games remaining.