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Manchester City player ratings in 5-0 win over Newcastle

By J.C. Gonzalez

Manchester City's English midfielder Tommy Doyle (R) greets Manchester City's Spanish midfielder David Silva (L) at the end of the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on July 8, 2020. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by OLI SCARFF/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester City's English midfielder Tommy Doyle (R) greets Manchester City's Spanish midfielder David Silva (L) at the end of the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on July 8, 2020. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by OLI SCARFF/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Manchester City were dominant again at home as they cruised to a 5-0 victory over Newcastle United following a disappointing ninth league defeat on the South Coast.

Manchester City were firing on all cylinders today with a comfortable win over Newcastle United, a great response following a ninth league defeat to Southampton. City struck early and often, with Newcastle on the back foot for the entirety of the match, and the Magpies looked completely incapable of challenging Ederson’s goal.

Defense

Ederson (GK): Almost grabbed an assist on a long ball to Riyad Mahrez, but aside from that, it was a simple and comfortable performance for the Brazilian, who had very little to deal with. (6.5)

João Cancelo (RB): Was not at his sharpest today, giving the ball away for much of the first half before being substituted by Pep Guardiola at halftime. (5.5)

Nicolás Otamendi (CB): I will admit that I was truly nervous for today’s match when I saw Otamendi and John Stones paired together at the back. However, the most basic and fundamental premise of the Guardiola style, that the opposition can’t score if they simply do not have the ball, came true today and neither error-prone defender had much of anything to do. (6)

John Stones (CB): Much like Otamendi, I was worried about a repeat of their Norwich disaster, but the midfield was in such control of the game that Newcastle failed to really challenge either of them. (6)

Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB): Looked much better today following a match-defining giveaway against Southampton. Involved in all phases of play today, and was the team’s best defender on a day without much defending. (7)

Midfield

Rodri (CDM): Allowed Newcastle next to nothing in terms of possession and opportunity to strike on the break. In essence, the midfield did all of the team’s defensive duties today by simply keeping nearly the entire match in the attacking third. At the base of that midfield, Rodri looked solid, as per usual. (7.5)

David Silva (CAM): A Man of the Match performance from the captain, and one that was a sight for sore eyes. He hasn’t always been at his vintage best this season, but with a goal, two assists, and a dominant victory in the midfield battle, it was a performance a prime Silva would be proud of. (9)

Kevin de Bruyne (CAM): Continues to chase Thierry Henry’s assist record with one today, although the climb to 20 appears to be a tough road with just four league games left to play. The Belgian was back to his best today, but it will unfortunately in all likelihood take him breaking Henry’s record to win a deserved PFA Player of the Year award. (8.5)

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Attack

Riyad Mahrez (RW): Had a good day and grabbed his 10th league goal of the season to make City the first team in Premier League history with five players to hit the ten goal mark. A remarkable campaign for the Algerian star. (8)

Gabriel Jesus (ST): Struck early for a much-needed goal to get some confidence back. As City’s first-choice striker heading into some big matches following the end of a meaningless league season, City will need him at his very best. (7.5)

Phil Foden (LW): Attacking midfield, right wing, and now left wing, City’s local star is beginning to show he is one of the most versatile attacking pieces Guardiola has in his arsenal. He was heavily involved from the start, and nearly managed to score yet again. There isn’t much more to be said that hasn’t been said already; he is a star in this team with superstar potential. (8)

Substitutes

Kyle Walker (RB): Steady and solid for half of the match, and would likely be Guardiola’s first choice if Real Madrid came to the Etihad tomorrow. (6.5)

İlkay Gündoğan (CDM): Came in and continued the steadiness of Rodri in midfield, preserving the clean sheet for the Blues. (7)

Bernardo Silva (RW): Still has not quite found his footing, and is quickly falling behind Sterling, Mahrez, and now Phil Foden in the pecking order out wide on current form. (6)

Raheem Sterling (ST): Grabbed a goal, and has looked capable as a deputy for Jesus as City’s central forward option, a position which has felt very unnatural in the past. (8)

Tommy Doyle (CAM): Got his Premier League debut in a masterclass by club legend David Silva. Potentially the start of something big for the youth academy product. (6)