Manchester City was set to face Leicester City on December 22, and with both teams neck-and-neck in the league table, there was no reason for either side to hold back.
City wanted to top the league, while Leicester City was chasing a playoff spot. With the holiday fixture congestion looming, this match could very well tip the balance for the rest of the season.
As the players warmed up under the overcast skies of the Filbert Street Stadium, Emile Heskey jogged across the pitch, a quiet smile forming as he spotted a few familiar faces in the Manchester City lineup.
He exchanged quick handshakes and brief embraces with former teammates, the camaraderie still lingering despite the club switch.
Then, standing near the technical area, Martin O'Neill—his former manager—offered a nod and a knowing smile.
Heskey walked over, and the two shared a firm handshake, followed by a few words that only they could hear, rich with history and mutual respect.
