Leicester vs. Manchester City: Winners and Losers from Premier League

Leicester City and Manchester City played out a scoreless draw in a matchup of Barclays Premier League title contenders on Tuesday night at the King Power Stadium.

Man City created the better chances for most of the first half but couldn't beat Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. The Foxes then missed a couple opportunities shortly before half-time, with Jamie Vardy notably blasting over the bar from the edge of the box following a giveaway.

The result left Leicester in second place on goal differential behind Arsenal. Man City are third, three points behind.

Loser: That Penalty Decision

Rui Vieira/Associated Press

A draw was a fair result on the balance of play, but the game might have turned out quite differently if referee Craig Pawson had spotted a penalty for Manchester City in the 63rd minute.

That was when Sergio Aguero, in his final involvement of the match, went to ground under a challenge from Leicester's Gokhan Inler. Aguero fell theatrically, but replays showed that Inler had not made contact with the ball and was guilty of a foul.

So why didn't Pawson award a penalty? It's tempting to say that Aguero's dramatic fall might have swayed his decision, but another explanation feels more likely. As the ball rolled over the line, Pawson awarded Man City a corner, meaning the referee thought Inler had won the ball fairly.

That wasn't the case. Pawson got this one wrong.

Winner: Leicester in 2015

ADRIAN DENNIS/Getty Images

Tuesday's match marked Leicester's final 90 minutes of 2015. What a year it was for the Foxes.

From last season's remarkable relegation escape to this season's improbable title challenge, Leicester have written some of the most compelling stories in English football over the last 12 months.

This latest story showed Leicester in full title-challenge mode, with manager Claudio Ranieri playing somewhat conservatively for the first hour before introducing Leonardo Ulloa as a second striker in the 67th minute. The goal here was to produce a positive response following defeat at Liverpool, and although the result wasn't exactly what Leicester wanted, a draw is hardly a disappointment.

Ranieri and his players should take some satisfaction in the knowledge that this fully resembled a high-stakes tilt between two legitimate title contenders. Manchester City refused to take Leicester lightly, and that paid tribute to what the Foxes have accomplished this year.

Loser: Man City Against the Top Half

ADRIAN DENNIS/Getty Images

In contrast to their opponents, Manchester City must feel a tiny bit of disappointment as 2015 concludes. Though the title is by no means out of their grasp, Manuel Pellegrini's men haven't performed up to expectations.

There have been extenuating circumstances, to be sure. Vincent Kompany's injury-enforced absence has hurt City's back line to a terrifying degree. But for all money spent to build a squad packed with talent, this team should expect more.

Part of the problem has been the Sky Blues' form against the top half of the table. According to NBC Sports' coverage on American television, Man City have taken just eight points from their nine games against teams in the top half of the table at the halfway point of the season. Against the bottom half, that record is much better—28 points from nine wins, one draw and no defeats.

"We are not where we want to be, but we are right up there without playing very well," goalkeeper Joe Hart told BT Sport (h/t BBC Sport). "We are in a good position and the two teams above us deserve to be above us. We have to win all our home games and be damn hard to beat in our away games."

As Hart points out, City have reason to be optimistic despite not playing their best football. With an improvement in 2016, the title could very well be theirs.

Arsenal currently top the table on goal difference ahead of Leicester, but none of the top three have been able to exert control on the title race this season. With only three points between themselves and the top of the table, Man City's players must know that a little improvement can make a major difference in 2016.

Winner: Man City's Clean Sheet

ADRIAN DENNIS/Getty Images

As the previous slide hinted, Man City have struggled—desperately at times—in the absence of captain Vincent Kompany. Without the injured center-back in the lineup, the Sky Blues had failed to record a clean sheet this season.

That changed with this scoreless draw, and while that's not the most exciting stat, it could be great news for Manuel Pellegrini. Leicester have earned their reputation as entertainers, scoring 37 goals this season (tied for most in the league with Man City). Keeping Riyad Mahrez, Jamie Vardy and others goalless has been no small feat in 2015.

If the back line can show continued improvement, Man City's title hopes will increase substantially.

Loser: Sergio Aguero's Match Sharpness

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

First, a disclaimer: Sergio Aguero is a top-class striker. When fully fit, he ranks among the world's best at his position.

At the moment, however, Aguero is not fully fit—and Tuesday showed it.

As he continued his return from an injury layoff, the Argentina international lacked full-match sharpness against Leicester. In an illustrative moment early in the second half, Aguero missed a chance that you'd expect him to bury.

At BBC Sport, Phil McNulty wrote:

"

The 27-year-old Argentine is a striker of undisputed world class but his edge has been blunted by a succession of niggling injuries that have interrupted his season.

…

Aguero is a player of such quality that it is only a matter of time before the brilliance returns but he seems to be struggling for full fitness - and as City search for the victories that will give them consistency, it is a vital missing ingredient.

"

When Aguero regains full fitness, he'll torment Premier League defenders once again. For now, though, he's off the pace.

Winner: Kasper Schmeichel

ADRIAN DENNIS/Getty Images

Kasper Schmeichel was the busier of the two goalkeepers, and the Leicester City man kept his side in the match with a few good saves.

Schmeichel didn't have to make a world-class stop, but when he was called upon, he was more than ready. His presence in goal gives Leicester a strong foundation on which to build.