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Manchester City: Player Ratings in loss to Southampton

By J.C. Gonzalez

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JULY 05: David Silva of Manchester City and Aymeric Laporte of Manchester City look dejected during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Manchester City at St Mary's Stadium on July 05, 2020 in Southampton, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Will Oliver/Pool via Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JULY 05: David Silva of Manchester City and Aymeric Laporte of Manchester City look dejected during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Manchester City at St Mary's Stadium on July 05, 2020 in Southampton, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Will Oliver/Pool via Getty Images) /
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Manchester City managed 26 shots on Southampton’s goal but continued their inconsistent season with a 1-0 loss at St. Mary’s.

Although it will not matter much in the end, Manchester City backed up their dominant 4-0 win over Liverpool in typical fashion this season: with a 1-0 away loss to Southampton. At least domestically, that has been the story of City’s season, as it seems every match is either a dominant win or a loss, never in between.

If City are not at their absolute best, every opponent they have played this year has been clinical and punished them by taking all three points, a trend that continued today. Winning when not playing at your best is a mark of champions, and something Liverpool have perfected over the last two seasons, while City have regressed to serious inconsistency in terms of results.

Defense

Ederson (GK): In this match we saw both the benefit and pain that comes with having an aggressive sweeper-keeper. While the Brazilian stopped a promising counter-attack, his advanced positioning allowed Zinchenko’s giveaway to be put into the back of the net from range without much resistance. (6)

João Cancelo (RB): Got forward well and often provided an option with his overlapping runs, putting in a brilliant cross that Gabriel Jesus put over the bar. (7)

Eric García (CB): Once again looked composed and the clear choice to partner with Aymeric Laporte at the moment. The defense looks much more sturdy with that partnership, and the potential for investment this summer could turn this season’s definitive weakness into a strength moving forward. (7)

Aymeric Laporte (CB): Not a perfect game for the Frenchman, but he held together the backline in a defensive performance that was quite good, as the long-range early goal had little to do with central defense. (7.5)

Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB): By far the main culprit for the result today. While the attack could have and should have scored more, Southampton’s only truly dangerous chance was converted on the back of his giveaway near the halfway line, which allowed Che Adams to pounce from distance and catch Ederson off his line. (4.5)

Midfield

Fernandinho (CDM): In his first game in midfield in some time, it became clear why Rodri is first-choice at the position even with García and Laporte solidifying central defense. Fernandinho has been massive for the team this season, but at this point he is no longer the best option at his natural position. (5.5)

David Silva (CAM): The captain showed his class in moving the ball and facilitating the play, but has shown his regression in his finishing ability and ability to drive through a defense in the way that Kevin de Bruyne or Phil Foden can. He did well to get into dangerous positions, but should have scored. (7)

Bernardo Silva (CAM): It was exciting to see Bernardo get back into midfield again after not featuring there much this season, but much like the rest of the campaign, it all just didn’t fall into place for the Portuguese. There remains a star player in there, but it’s been difficult to find him this year. (6)

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Attack

Riyad Mahrez (RW): When Mahrez plays, it seems he’s either absolutely electric or shut out of the game rather easily. Today unfortunately seemed like the latter, as the Algerian was unable to unlock the Saints’ defense. (6)

Gabriel Jesus (ST): Once again wasn’t able to find the back of the net and looked visibly frustrated. It’s been difficult for him to really ascend to the next level this season, and it has showed in Sergio Agüero’s absence. (5.5)

Raheem Sterling (LW): The best of City’s attack today, providing some incision and good crosses but ultimately no end product. (7)

Substitutes

Phil Foden (RW): Came a bit down to Earth today as he wasn’t able to put his mark on the match. (6)

Kevin de Bruyne (CAM): An uncharacteristically quiet day for the Belgian, but nothing to be concerned about for him personally. (6)