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Player Ratings: Manchester City easily handle Fulham

By J.C. Gonzalez

Manchester City's English defender John Stones gestures during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Fulham at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on December 5, 2020. (Photo by Alex Livesey / 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 ALEX LIVESEY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester City's English defender John Stones gestures during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Fulham at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on December 5, 2020. (Photo by Alex Livesey / 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 ALEX LIVESEY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Manchester City racked up a second consecutive league win for the first time this season.

Manchester City may just finally have everything back on track. The Citizens looked comfortable at home, regularly creating chances and dominating the play against a relegation struggler for the second straight week, beating Fulham 2-0.

Defense

Ederson (GK): The Brazilian’s goal faced very little threat today, but he looked the part and picked up the clean sheet. (6)

João Cancelo (RB): Got forward into areas of serious danger, linking defense and attack and looking electric once again. (8)

Rúben Dias (CB): Fulham never really looked like scoring, and Dias has suddenly formed a formidable first-choice partnership between himself and John Stones that looks rock-solid. (7.5)

John Stones (CB): Currently ahead of Aymeric Laporte in the pecking order, an unthinkable idea around this time last year, and he has earned it with diligence and good form. (7.5)

Benjamin Mendy (LB): Now back to full fitness, these last two weeks he has shown what he can really do, and has been rewarded with game time, looking solid for the second straight game. (7)

Midfield

Rodri (CDM): When teams don’t test him with pace, he is one of the league’s best at shielding a back four while setting tempo in midfield, and showed it again today. (7.5)

İlkay Gündoğan (CDM): Helped City stay stable with the double-pivot in place, which did not end up hurting the team’s attacking or chance creation. (7)

Kevin De Bruyne (CAM): A Man of the Match performance and a really encouraging one at that. After some inconsistency earlier this season, the Belgian delivered with a goal and an assist to re-establish his place among the league’s best. (9)

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Attack

Riyad Mahrez (RW): A player on fantastic form. Although Fulham were unable to stop him from getting on the scoresheet as he did three times against Burnley, his magical touches and dribbling showed another glimpse of what the Algerian can do at his best. (8)

Gabriel Jesus (ST): Did not find much in the way of chances, but was heavily and regularly involved in the buildup as the team created a multitude of opportunities. (6.5)

Raheem Sterling (LW): Made a daring run right through the heart of the Fulham defense and got on the end of a brilliant De Bruyne pass to find the back of the net in stunning fashion. (8)