Manchester City: Player Ratings in 2-1 win over Bournemouth

Pep Guardiola experimented heavily with his side against a Bournemouth team fighting for their lives in the Premier League and Manchester City just escaped with a 2-1 win.

With official confirmation that Manchester City will be playing in the Champions League next season, City continued their winning ways against Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium, although they were not totally in control.

City jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but Bournemouth peppered Ederson’s goal as they scrapped for survival in what was always going to be a difficult task. They managed to pull one back late, and almost even grabbed an equalizer, but Pep Guardiola’s men hung on to grab the result.

Defense

Ederson (GK): Showed that when he needs to be involved, he remains one of the world’s best goalkeepers. He showed brilliant forward passing ability with two long balls, and also made a huge diving save off the post against a free kick from Junior Stanislas. The Brazilian kept calm during the frenzy late in the match, although he did at one point create some danger by spilling a powerful cross. (8.5)

Kyle Walker (RB): City looked much better defensively when Walker was on the pitch, although he did not offer much going forward. (6.5)

John Stones (CB): A bit shaky, but not terrible from Stones. In my view, did not push himself any higher in the pecking order, but still appears an option that can play in certain situations with a comfortable partner such as Aymeric Laporte. (6)

Nicolás Otamendi (CB): Made a massive block against Dominic Solanke with Ederson out of his goal, although he did rashly rush into some challenges and got caught too square when he was run at by Bournemouth’s front men. (7)

Benjamin Mendy (LB): A quiet day for the Frenchman, and much like Walker, while he provided width going forward, he had very little end product in terms of crossing. (6)

Midfield

Fernandinho (CDM): Shielded the back four to the best of his ability, and looked to really be settling back into his natural role once again. (7.5)

İlkay Gündoğan (CAM): Efficient in midfield, and contributed well defensively. If Guardiola will set up defensively against Real Madrid, it looks highly likely that the German will be involved. (7)

David Silva (CAM): The Spaniard’s form is picking up towards the end of his Premier League career as he put in another Man of the Match performance. With a brilliant free kick to open the scoring and then the assist for City’s second, he was immense today. (9)

Attack

Bernardo Silva (RW): Couldn’t add much to the game today, and continues what has been a difficult slump in 2019-20. (5.5)

Gabriel Jesus (ST): Has been in top form recently, scoring once again and getting involved in the build-up. (8)

Phil Foden (LW): It was not Foden’s day today as his talents were effectively held in check by Bournemouth’s defense. (5.5)

Substitutes

Raheem Sterling (LW): Got involved and created some chances, but no end product. (6)

Eric García (RB): Playing at right back for the first time, struggled seriously and looked out of place. The young Spaniard is a quality defender, but this was a step too far from Guardiola against a side fighting for their lives and one that should be avoided moving forward with experienced options such as Walker and João Cancelo. (4.5)

Rodri (CDM): Helped see out a frenetic end to the match, and will need to be on top form as he sees competition from a revitalized Fernandinho. (6.5)

Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB): As City were defending nearly the entire time he was on, the Ukranian didn’t get the chance to go forward, where he’s at his best. (6)

Manchester City: Player Ratings in 2-1 win over Bournemouth

By J.C. Gonzalez | Jul 15, 2020

Pep Guardiola experimented heavily with his side against a Bournemouth team fighting for their lives in the Premier League and Manchester City just escaped with a 2-1 win.

Defense

Midfield

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