Manchester City: Player ratings matchday 25
Pep Guardiola and Manchester City moved a step closer to the Premier League title last night with their victory against the Baggies. It wasn’t without its controversies though with another couple of bad tackles going in, and a ‘stamp’ from Fernandinho going unpunished.
New signing, Aymeric Laporte, had a decent introduction to Premier League. The Frenchman, Pep Guardiola’s only major signing in January, looks every bit the guy we had been missing. Although, after only one game, that is a little premature. Signs are good though, so how did he and his new team mates do?
Ederson – 7.
Wasn’t really tested, but yet again his distribution was fantastic.
Walker – 7.
Like Ederson it was more of the same from Walker with his pace down the right. Looked dangerous going forward, but really not a great deal to do at the back.
Otamendi – 7.
The older head of the Argentinian was needed tonight. With others out it was important, that if Laporte played, we had an experienced guy next to him.
Laporte – 8.
One media outlet had said that he could have played this game in his slippers. It turned out to be quite a robust training session for the new boy, but he looked very good. It should scare other sides that this guy and Stones are both only 23, and will have a good decade of potentially playing together.
Zinchenko – 7.
The more I see this guy the more I see he is improving. Tonight we saw confidence and some fantastic balls down that left. If he continues like this, maybe Delph will not be able to get back in the side so easily.
Fernandinho – 8.
First, the good. Defensively he was solid, and of course he got the opening goal. For me he was back to the Fernie we know and love, after a couple of below par games recently.
On the poorer side, there was that ‘stamp’. Whether he will face retrospective action we’ll have to wait and see. I am not sure if it was intentional or not, only the Brazilian will know that.
DeBruyne – 9.
KDB was fantastic tonight, and got on the score sheet. Fantastic, almost perfect performance and the guy seems to be just getting better. He has certainly had more than his fair share of kickings over the last few weeks, but he just keeps going.
Silva – 7.
Came off the pitch with only five minutes left of the first half. Did have his fair share of decent forward balls before being withdrawn after a clash.
Bernardo – 8.
Going from strength to strength, this guy is starting to show the form he had at Monaco. Looking forward to seeing just how vital this guy will be going into the final stretch.
Sterling – 7.
The Englishman is going through a lean spell for a moment. Even still he does provide that little spark every now and again, setting up a goal.
Aguero – 7.
Similar to some of his other, more recent games. The Argentinian may not be involved in a game for many minutes, then pop up with a goal.
Gundogan (sub on 39) – 7.
Came on a little earlier than he probably expected, but equipped himself well. Box to box running was good and filled in at the back when needed.
Diaz (sub on 78) – 7.
Didn’t get a great deal of minutes on the field, but looked good. On the receiving end of that horror tackle late on in the game, which was the focal point of most post match punditry.