By Matt Burrows
Leicester City have concluded an unbelievable year tied first atop the English Premier League after a 0-0 draw with Manchester City at King Power Stadium.
The match was a hotly contested affair, with both sides playing for a win after going into the fixture sitting second and third on the table.
Leicester had the better of the first half, restricting the threat of Manchester City's capable frontline despite striker Sergio Aguero's re-emergence in the starting line-up following a month-long layoff with a heel injury.
City's best opportunities came when Raheem Sterling laid off to Kevin de Bruyne on the edge of the box, with Kasper Schmeichel saving well to his left, before Sterling had a chance of his own when Bacary Sagna's through-ball bounced into his path and he volleyed towards the far corner, only to be foiled by Schmeichel.
The first real chance of the match came from left-back Christian Fuchs, who showed great agility to jink past Kevin de Bruyne and whip a vicious low cross across the six-yard box – but Marc Albrighton's touch at the back post went wide.
Immediately after, Fernandinho was caught in possession from a goal-kick and was dispossessed, allowing the usually prolific Jamie Vardy a clean break on goal – only for the England international to blast over from the edge of the box.
Sergio Aguero had as good a chance straight after the break, a De Bruyne ball met by Sergio Aguero just two metres out – but in his desperation to lift the ball over the dive of Schmeichel the Argentine could only put it agonisingly over the bar.
While the Foxes looked dangerous on the break, the second half lacked any more clearcut chances until fifteen minutes from the end, when Christian Fuchs freekick tested Joe Hart at his near post and substitute Wilfried Bony saw his shot blocked by Leicester centreback Wes Morgan.
With both teams pressing at the close of the game, Manchester City sealed the stalemate with a disciplined defensive effort – the 0-0 result meaning Leicester finish the year second, level on 39 points with league leaders Arsenal, with the Sky Blues in third on 36.
Liverpool host Sunderland in 2015's final Premier League fixture tomorrow morning (NZT).
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