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Player Ratings: Manchester City beat Sheffield United 1-0

By J.C. Gonzalez

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 31: Ferran Torres of Manchester City looks on during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Manchester City at Bramall Lane on October 31, 2020 in Sheffield, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Rui Vieira - Pool/Getty Images)
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 31: Ferran Torres of Manchester City looks on during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Manchester City at Bramall Lane on October 31, 2020 in Sheffield, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Rui Vieira - Pool/Getty Images) /
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Manchester City looked comfortable and confident in their 1-0 win over the Blades.

Manchester City needed to pick up three points away to relegation-threatened Sheffield United and did enough to get the win. The performance was better than the result would indicate, but Kyle Walker’s long-range goal against his former club was the only thing to separate the sides in the end at Bramall Lane.

Defense

Ederson (GK): Did not face a shot on target, but critically held onto a dangerous ball played across the area after a phenomenal run by Sander Berge. (6.5)

Kyle Walker (RB): Continued his electric run of form with a Man of the Match performance. He swept up just about everything Sheffield tried on his side, and added a goal with little celebration against the team he began his career with that gave City a huge three points. (8.5)

Rúben Dias (CB): Calm, composed, and collected defending, something City have been missing for some time. He and Laporte have now gone 180 consecutive minutes without conceding a goal, and could already be the league’s best defensive partnership. (7.5)

Aymeric Laporte (CB): He was solid once again, and limiting Sheffield’s opportunities and keeping everything in front of the backline in another clean sheet effort. (7.5)

João Cancelo (LB): I’ve said for some time that City’s best backline is the one we saw today, and Cancelo proved exactly why he needs to be the first choice left-back, even if its not his preferred position. He is a supremely talented footballer going forward, with dribbling and multiple dangerous crosses that found City players and exciting inverted fullback play. More than just his attacking prowess however, his recovery speed is world class and he is reliable defensively. These are things that Benjamin Mendy and Oleksandr Zinchenko simply cannot provide, even if they have more experience at the position. (8)

Midfield

Rodri (CDM): Another really good performance, shielding the backline, winning aerial duels, and making tackles. If he is not caught in transition, he’s a rock at the back. (7)

Bernardo Silva (CAM): Showed the work rate that I believe allows City to play just one holding midfielder and unleash the talents of Bernardo alongside Kevin De Bruyne. He nearly grabbed the second goal, but was efficient and effective today even if he didn’t find any end product. (7)

Kevin De Bruyne (CAM): Caused regular problems, assisting Walker’s winner. He placed a free kick beautifully under the one man who jumped in the wall that was just parried by Ramsdale. He did miss a couple of key passes, including one where he had both Ferran Torres and Riyad Mahrez in on goal, but overall it was a solid day from the Belgian. (8)

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Attack

Riyad Mahrez (RW): Looked confident and was able to get behind the Blades’ defense with some silky dribbling. He had a few chances to cross for an assist and one where he nearly scored through the entirety of the team, but it was an encouraging performance. (7)

Ferran Torres (ST): I’m beginning to wonder if City have stumbled upon Torres’ best position. Converted wingers becoming world-class forwards is nothing new, as seen with Antoine Griezmann’s move from Real Sociedad to Atlético Madrid, and Torres looks like a striker. His movement, instinct, and natural eye for goal once again seemed like he’s been playing up top for his entire career, and he was unlucky not to grab at least a couple goals thanks to Ramsdale. (8)

Raheem Sterling (LW): Another very good game where he felt liberated not being forced into a central role. He linked regularly with De Bruyne and dribbled past the Sheffield defense on multiple occasions. There was no end product, but this was a highly effective game for Sterling. (7.5)

Substitutes

Phil Foden (LW): Provided some late-game energy to help City see out the match while he personally eyed a second goal. (6.5)

İlkay Gündoğan (CDM): Helped give stability and control in midfield to see out the result after a solid run of form for the German. (6)