Manchester City: FA Cup player ratings
Manchester City made it through to the Fourth Round of the FA Cup against Burnley Saturday afternoon. The Clarets boss, Sean Dyche, had said in his pre game interviews that if his side were to beat City then that would be fantastic.
As the half time whistle went, he must have felt fantastic! A goal up, after a mistake from Stones, was probably more than even he dare dreamed of. Second half though. and without Kevin DeBruyne until late, City showed their class as they turned the tie on its head. Quick thinking and superb, skillful goals, left the game in no doubt as Pep rotated with quick substitutions.
Bravo – 5.
The Chilean didn’t have the greatest games in-goal, although the Burnley goal is not the reason for his score. I am not sure there was a great deal that could be done with that. Yes Ederson may have been able to stop it, but it was hit with such pace I am not going to be too critical.
There were distribution errors though, including kicking it out for a corner at one point.
Danilo – 6.
I was going to give the Brazilian a lower mark, then he went to the left and looked better. During the game as a whole he didn’t look comfortable and got himself a silly booking early in the second half.
Otamendi – 6.
Couple of poor touches early on and slow to react when Stones sliced for the goal. Other than that he was okay and did nearly get on the score sheet again.
Stones – 5.
Sliced the ball to let in Barnes, who scored before half an hour. Other than that he did dominate in the second half which goes to show two things 1) some rust after being out for so long maybe and 2) mistakes do not phase him.
Zinchenko – 5.
Couple of long-range shots but nothing to really trouble the keeper. Other than that I am not sure he looks like a left back. Comfortable further up the field but nervous looking at the back.
Fernandinho – 7.
Again, one of the solid and reliable performers for the Blues. Covers well for the guys at the back while providing a base for the creative guys up front.
Gundogan – 9.
Quiet for most of the first half he gets man of the match for two passages of play in particular which turned the game 180. Quick free-kick to Aguero for the equalising goal and a neat reverse pass to Aguero moments later. That second goal, which turned out to be the winner, was beautiful and had David Silva or KDB done that we’d have marvelled.
Silva – 8.
We can cope without KDB in the side and we can cope without David Silva in the side. We do, however, find it difficult when they are both missing. With everything going on outside the realm of football it was good to see Merlin in action.
Nice touch from the home crowd on 21 minutes let him know of the support he has.
Sane – 7.
A little disappointing if I am honest. Yes, he got the third goal and crossed for the fourth, but I would liked to have seen him running at the defenders a little more.
Sterling – 7.
Quiet game for Raheem. Did well when he had the ball and stayed on his feet after getting buffeted by Burnley players, not that it will get a mention. Did the job asked of him.
Aguero – 8.
Scored the brace which turned the game on its head. The more consecutive games he gets the better he looks. With Gabby Jesus out, he will be getting a lot of consecutive games!
Next: Predicted Lineup: FA Cup 3rd Round
Walker (sub 72) – 6.
Came on after the game was all but wrapped up to be fair. Walker did a solid defensive job but no forward runs to break the defense. At 3-1 though that probably wasn’t his instructions anyway.
DeBruyne (sub 76) – 7.
Like Walker, the game was done when he came on. Did provide a fantastic through ball to Sane though, who pulled back to Bernardo for the fourth goal. Good ‘keeping your hand in’ fifteen minutes.
Bernardo (sub 78) – 7.
Scored the goal, which will do his confidence the world of good. Looks excited to be in Manchester and playing football and will be fantastic in the future.