Manchester City remain five points clear at the top of the table, after a win at the Hawthorns. City opened the scoring through a wonderful strike from Leroy Sane. That was relinquished through poor defending minutes later, before Fernandinho restored the lead with a shot from outside the area. Deflected on the way to goal, and kissing the post on the way in, it was beautiful.
In the second half Raheem Sterling increased our lead shortly after coming on. A wonderful passage of play ended with a beautiful first time cross from Walker, leaving Sterling with a simple tap in. As the game entered the final moments, Nicolas Otamendi decided to chest the ball back to Ederson. Intercepted by their striker, the game finished a lot closer than it should have been. So how did the players do?
Ederson – 7.
Didn’t really have too much to do in the game, yet conceded twice. Certainly not much he could do about the second goal, and his general play was up to his usual standard.
Walker – 7.
Provided the cross for Raheems goal, City’s third. Looked very good down that right hind side, but got himself booked quite needlessly by kicking the ball away towards the end of the game.
Stones – 6.
Not his best game. Was caught out a couple of times, including letting Rodriguez in on goal for their first. I will still expect to see him play on Wednesday, and a much better performance.
More from Man City Square
- Rodri believes City can have even more success this season
- Grealish, Stones, and Kovacic will NOT play tomorrow
- My Manchester City UCL Group Stage predictions
- After Injury Guardiola is back in Etihad
- Phil Foden Scores Opener for England Against Scotland
Otamendi – 5.
Actually did quite well, as a whole, throughout the game. Was there when he needed to be but also got a yellow for a very reckless challenge. Add to that the random chesting back to Ederson disaster, and that’s why he slipped to a 5.
Delph – 7.
Solid at the back and got forward in support quite well. I don’t remember him losing the ball and, with Danilo not in favor, he is doing a competent job back there.
DeBruyne – 6.
Quiet compared to his usual defence-splitting-pass self. He didn’t have a bad game, but some of his touches were off. Hopefully this game helped work the kinks out for the midweek game.
Fernandinho – 8.
This guy was fantastic. Provided the ball for the opener and scored the second. Controlling the midfield well, he is one of the work engines of the side and vitally important.
Silva – 7.
Again, like KDB, he was quiet today. That said, he was involved in the build up for, what would be, the winning goal. I expect maybe instructions for both was to be measured and calm in this game. We’ll need them ready to go Wednesday.
Bernardo – 5.
Wasn’t impressed with this guy today at all. I forgot he was even playing at points in the game, and that’s never good. Didn’t look a threat going forward and that maybe emphasised when Sterling came on and scored within minutes.
Jesus – 6.
Put himself about, bullying their defence, without creating any real chances. A few loose balls didn’t help with his rating either.
Sane – 8.
Up there with Fernie as Man of the Match. Guy just seems to keep growing in confidence with each game. The finish for his first goal, through the defenders legs and leaving Foster static was just a dirty piece of skill.
Next: A preview look at Matchday 10
Sterling – 7
Came on, scored a goal. Where as Bernardo tends to drift in field during an attack building up, Sterling is all over the place. Adding that option to the side, sometimes he would be wide. Other times, as with the goal, he was more central.
Gundogan – 6
Gave the guy a six because he really wasn’t on long enough to do too much. At that point, which was before their second goal, we were happy with three. Probing for another, certainly, but not with the same intensity as earlier.