Player Ratings: Manchester City stunned by West Brom

Manchester City looked confident going up a goal, but West Brom fought back and held on for a difficult point at the Etihad.

After wins against Burnley and Fulham, Manchester City looked set to really put their name in the title race, but have now faltered in consecutive matches, drawing against rivals Manchester United and now bottom feeders West Brom by a score of 1-1. This is another poor result in what has been a difficult season to say the least for the Citizens.

Defense

Ederson (GK): Stepped up when needed, but could do little about a wild deflection off of Dias sending the ball into the back of his net. (6.5)

João Cancelo (RB): A rocky game defensively, but an incredibly influential one going forward, something City fans thought would be seen regularly after his signing. Thankfully, he has usually been much better at his defensive duties than he was today while remaining just as creative. (6.5)

Rúben Dias (CB): Failed to clear a dangerous ball in then unfortunately had the touch that put it past Ederson for the equalizer. (5)

Nathan Aké (CB): Finally made his return to the starting lineup and was decent, though questions remain about the status of Aymeric Laporte, which will take a huge turn on the weekend. (6)

Benjamin Mendy (LB): Had little influence going forward but did his part defensively, perhaps showing improved positional awareness from the beginning of the season: or simply the fact that he only is trusted enough to play against lesser opposition. (6)

Midfield

Rodri (CDM): Far less control without Fernandinho partnering him, but given the Brazilian’s age, he simply cannot play every three days, so Rodri must be able to pick up the slack. (6)

İlkay Gündoğan (CDM): Returned to the starting lineup and got on the end of a lovely cut back from Raheem Sterling for the team’s only goal. City need to find ways to get into these areas for these types of goals more often, and now more than ever. Also was just denied the winning goal with a late free kick. (7.5)

Kevin De Bruyne (CAM): Has yet to really turn up in a big way this season, and the lack of end product is beginning to become a worry. (5.5)

Attack

Raheem Sterling (RW): Looked so much more comfortable playing as a true winger on the right, getting into danger zones and cutting back for simple goals just like 2017-18 City did so well. We need more of this, although dropping the inverted winger concept essentially freezes the heavily left-footed Riyad Mahrez, whose main party trick is cutting in from the right, out of the team entirely. (7)

Gabriel Jesus (ST): A center-forward without the poacher’s instinct, and currently on full display with City’s lack of goalscoring. Games like these are precisely why City-related media and supporters are clamoring for Erling Haaland: it was crying out for a clinical, poacher’s finish to grab the winner out of a half-chance, something Jesus simply does not provide. (5)

Phil Foden (LW): Was left largely on the fringes of the game, and although he has been influential out wide since the restart, Guardiola’s commitment to the midfield double pivot has made the wings the only position he can play if the first-choice team is on the pitch. (5.5)

Substitutes

Sergio Agüero (ST): Needs to be handled with extreme caution: if he can get back to 80% of his best, he will be a massive upgrade on the team’s current options. (6)

Kyle Walker (RB): Came in late to create City’s best full-back partnership, and pushed forward well down the flank. (6.5)

Player Ratings: Manchester City stunned by West Brom

By J.C. Gonzalez | Dec 15, 2020

Manchester City looked confident going up a goal, but West Brom fought back and held on for a difficult point at the Etihad.

Defense

Midfield

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