Goals from Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva were enough to beat Arsenal at the Emirates in the season opener as Manchester City started their Premier League title defence.
Three points earned in a tough fixture when City were never really put under enough pressure to threaten the clean sheet.
An average performance when no individual performances were enough to take the limelight. No one will remember this performance but the three points are on the board.
Now is the chance to look at the individual performances in the game.
Ederson
Didn’t have much to do in the first half except comfortably deal with a Hector Bellerin’s strike, which was straight at the keeper. Was not pressed into too much as Arsenal chances went either side of the goal in the second half. His passing that is required of a Guardiola keeper was not up to his usual standard and gave Arsenal too many chances. 5 out of 10
Kyle Walker
The English right back stopped any threat from Arsenal’s left flank and was good going forward as much as he was in defensive positions. 6.5 out of 10
John Stones
Failed to assert himself in the centre back position following his World Cup performances but, to be fair, he never had too much to do. Will look to press on given more opportunities. 6 out of 10
Aymeric Laporte
Was solid in defence and found himself in good positions when Arsenal attacked to keep City’s clean sheet. Had more to do in the second half but his clearances allowed City to keep their clean sheet. 6.5 out of 10
Benjamin Mendy
The left-back came back with a World Cup medal and was good enough in his attacking play. His crossing into the box let him down and never found his target in the box. Chipped in with two assists. His defensive positions were more central at times but as Arsenal played centrally, it proved important. 6.5 out of 10
Fernandinho
Both deeper central midfielders were not effective enough for them to shine throughout the game and put in a commanding performance. A clean sheet was good enough for the ageing player. 6.5 out of 10
Ilkay Gundogan
Same as Fernandinho. Not much words are needed in an average performance. Will likely be relegated to the bench as De Bruyne and David Silva regain their places in the starting eleven in the coming games. 6.5 out of 10
Bernardo Silva
It was a close call for the man of the match award with Raheem Sterling but the Portuguese star won on the day as his versatility in midfield . City’s second goal was powerful and gave Cech no chance with his direction. Never failed to look out of place in a more central role in the first half and timed his run perfectly into the box to Bernard Mendy’s pull back. 7.5 out of 10
Riyad Mahrez
The Algerian looked comfortable in Guardiola’s team dynamic and impressed before he was substituted after 58 minutes, conducting the slowest walk in the history of football. In the first half, a free-kick on target was well saved and an effort inside the box went wide. Overall, he impressed and will likely want to kick on with his performances. 7 out of 10
Raheem Sterling
He scored the goal that set City on their way to victory and also had a great chance in the first half but was prevented by Petr Cech. Looked threatening throughout the game and warranted Guardiola’s selection, even though he only had a full week of pre-season training.
Walked off to be replaced by Leroy Sane with a few minutes left to spare. 7.5 out of 10
Sergio Aguero
At 1-0 up in the second half, an error from Guendozi’s sent the Argentine forward through on goal. He had two options, square it to a surging De Bruyne or have a shot on target. He chose the wrong option and couldn’ t capitalise on the error. Pressed well from the front and pushed the City players up the pitch in an attacking position. 7 out of 10
Substitutes
Kevin De Bruyne
The Belgian midfielder replaced Mahrez on 58 minutes and moved into his more favourable position, to command the attacks. Arsenal dominated the chances from there on, in between, Bernardo Silva’s goal, but the minutes were more important than his individual performance. A blistering shot stung the keeper’s fingertips in the final action of the game – a sign of things to come. 6 out of 10
Gabriel Jesus
Replaced Aguero and never had enough time to stamp his authority on the match. More minutes will forget his World Cup. 5 out of 10
Leroy Sane
Sterling walked off and Sane took his replacement for a brief run out. Never had enough time to impress or disappoint. 5 out of 10