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Player Ratings: Manchester City draw 0-0 with Porto

By J.C. Gonzalez

FC Porto's Portuguese midfielder Wilson Manafa (L) vies with Manchester City's English midfielder Phil Foden during the UEFA Champions League group C football match between FC Porto and Manchester City at the Dragao stadium in Porto on December 1, 2020. (Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA / POOL / AFP) (Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
FC Porto's Portuguese midfielder Wilson Manafa (L) vies with Manchester City's English midfielder Phil Foden during the UEFA Champions League group C football match between FC Porto and Manchester City at the Dragao stadium in Porto on December 1, 2020. (Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA / POOL / AFP) (Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Manchester City did not put in a vintage performance against Porto, but did enough to secure top spot.

Neither side had much riding out the outcome of this match, but Manchester City ended any hope of Porto sneaking into top spot. City have thoroughly dominated an admittedly weak group, and will once again have the opportunity to exorcise their Champions League knockout woes under Pep Guardiola.

Defense

Ederson (GK): Only faced one shot during the entire match, but had some clumsy moments. (5.5)

João Cancelo (RB): Another performance to prove why he should start for this team each and every week, no matter which flank he’s deployed on. He looked solid and comfortable in defense and carrying the ball forward. (7)

Rúben Dias (CB): Looked rock-solid at the back next to another new partner, and kept a clean sheet that in the end was enough to give City the result they needed. (7)

Eric García (CB): I believe John Stones should be given opportunities over García moving forward, but the wantaway Spaniard was fine next to the experience of Dias. (6.5)

Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB): As a sometimes-forgotten piece in City’s left-back equation, he got the start today and got forward regularly, although he couldn’t find the end product. (6.5)

Midfield

Rodri (CDM): Effectively shielded the backline once again after a poor start to the season. (7)

Fernandinho (CDM): Helped City dominate and control the game in midfield against inferior opposition, although perhaps the double pivot hurt City’s chances of finding a winner. (7)

Bernardo Silva (CAM): Looked really energetic running all around the pitch, making a real effort both going forward and going back. (7.5)

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Attack

Raheem Sterling (RW): A very up-and-down performance where he had some bright moments but was also shut out of the game in others. (6.5)

Ferran Torres (ST): A more quiet game for Torres up top, where he has emerged as a legitimate option for this team. (6)

Phil Foden (LW): Came in from the left side and made an impact, always coming close to finding the end product. (7.5)

Substitutes

Gabriel Jesus (ST): Unlucky to see his potential winner chopped off by VAR. (7.5)