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Player Ratings: Manchester City comfortably beat Chelsea

By J.C. Gonzalez

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 03: Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on January 03, 2021 in London, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 03: Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on January 03, 2021 in London, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /
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Manchester City poured on three first-half goals to grab a massive win against Chelsea.

Manchester City put in one of their best performances of the season to kick off the New Year with a resounding 3-1 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea have been in putrid form of late, but City compounded their misery further with an excellent showing to pull within four points of the top of the table, with the chance to reduce the gap to one if they win their game in hand.

Defense

Zack Steffen (GK): A solid Premier League debut, and so close to a clean sheet, being denied only in stoppage time. (6)

João Cancelo (RB): Whichever flank he’s on, Cancelo should absolutely be first choice for this team. What he provides both going forward and defensively is immense. He is the future after Kyle Walker at right-back and is the team’s present at left-back. (7.5)

John Stones (CB): Another rock-solid performance from arguably the story of City’s season so far. His turnaround has been incredible, and nearly had another deserved clean sheet today. (7.5)

Rúben Dias (CB): City’s star defensive signing continued an incredible debut season, martialing Chelsea’s talented attack with ease. (7.5)

Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB): Looked comfortable on his return to the side and contributed well in all phases. (7)

Midfield

Rodri (CDM): Had some frightening moments, but also won the ball back in good areas and had a header that was really well saved by Edouard Mendy. (6.5)

İlkay Gündoğan (CDM): Three goals in four, a true striker’s turn and finish in this game, and a commanding performance in the middle of the park. Has this player been in there all along? (8.5)

Bernardo Silva (CAM): Played in a free role for much of the game and had a solid but not spectacular outing. (6.5)

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Attack

Raheem Sterling (RW): Badly fluffed a one-on-one chance by waiting far too long to shoot, but in the end hit the post and was bailed out by a great finish from Kevin De Bruyne. However, he looked involved and comfortable in a constantly-shifting attacking setup. (6.5)

Kevin De Bruyne (CF): At the heart of City’s attack, the Belgian put in a Man of the Match performance. With a goal and an assist, he absolutely dictated play in the final third in the sort of false nine role we’ve seen him play at times over the last two seasons, but this was by far his best outing in that position. (9)

Phil Foden (LW): A goal, an assist, 95% pass completion. City’s homegrown star had it all today, and on current form should be starting just about every match. (8.5)

Next. Chelsea 1-3 Manchester City: A Turning Point?. dark

Substitutes

Fernandinho (CDM): Helped City see out a straightforward result at the end of the second half. (6)

Sergio Agüero (ST): Another cameo for the star striker as he works his way back to full fitness. More to come against Manchester United in the Carabao Cup semi-final? (6)

Riyad Mahrez (RW): A quick appearance for Mahrez with City comfortably in charge. (6)