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Manchester City: Player Ratings in 4-0 win over Watford

By J.C. Gonzalez

WATFORD, ENGLAND - JULY 21: Aymeric Laporte of Manchester City celebrates after he scores his sides 4th goal during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Manchester City at Vicarage Road on July 21, 2020 in Watford, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Adrian Dennis/Pool via Getty Images)
WATFORD, ENGLAND - JULY 21: Aymeric Laporte of Manchester City celebrates after he scores his sides 4th goal during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Manchester City at Vicarage Road on July 21, 2020 in Watford, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Adrian Dennis/Pool via Getty Images) /
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Manchester City rebounded from a difficult FA Cup defeat with a big win over Watford that has put the Hornets in major relegation danger.

Manchester City looked strong as they put four past Watford at Vicarage Road following their shock sacking of Nigel Pearson. Following a difficult loss to Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final, City responded well and put Watford level with Aston Villa on goal difference, who play the Gunners later today and can go above Watford with a win.

Defense

Ederson (GK): Did not face much of a challenge, but looked excellent in his distribution going forward. (7)

Kyle Walker (RB): Grabbed an assist on the cross for Sterling’s first, and overall looked excellent on both ends of the pitch. (8)

Eric García (CB): Looked comfortable defensively today and much more composed than he has in recent matches as he helped City to a clean sheet. (7.5)

Aymeric Laporte (CB): Grabbed his goal off a Kevin de Bruyne free kick and once again looked to be solid as he tries to put this season’s injury woes behind him. (8)

João Cancelo (LB): It was extremely exciting to see Cancelo playing left-back and being paired with Walker, and the Portuguese delivered with an excellent showing, both going forward and containing Watford on the counter. (7.5)

Midfield

Rodri (CDM): Firmly in control in midfield and looking at the peak of his powers. He’s City’s best option at the base of midfield, and it showed again today, and even forced a brilliant save from Ben Foster. (8)

Bernardo Silva (CAM): Once again got the opportunity to play in midfield and looked stronger than he has for much of the season. While it was not the hat-trick that he scored in the reverse fixture against the Hornets, it was a good performance. (7)

Kevin de Bruyne (CAM): Not his best game, but picked up an assist to pull within one of Thierry Henry’s Premier League record with one match to go against bottom of the table Norwich City. Here’s hoping he can grab a couple in that match and take home a deserved PFA Player of the Year. (7.5)

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Attack

Phil Foden (RW): Switched flanks with Raheem Sterling and caused the Watford defense real problems culminating in his goal, and looked back to his very dangerous best. (8)

Gabriel Jesus (ST): Did just about everything for the team except find the back of the net, and was very involved in the build-up throughout. (7.5)

Raheem Sterling (LW): A Man of the Match performance as he grabbed a brace with a thunderous opener and a lucky second following a rebound from a saved penalty, but capped off his best-ever season. (9)

Substitutes

Riyad Mahrez (RW): Saw play out with the result already done and dusted. (6)

Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB): Got involved going forward where he’s most comfortable and looked good in a limited appearance. (6.5)

John Stones (CB): With reports of new defenders coming in, Stones could be making some of his final appearances in a City shirt. (6)