City Vs Chelsea: Player ratings as City advance to next round

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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 09: Jack Grealish of Manchester City battles for possession with Hakim Ziyech of Chelsea during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Manchester City and Chelsea at Etihad Stadium on November 09, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images) /

Stefan Ortega – 8.5

The man can’t be beaten and denied Chelsea at every opportunity. The best came from two Lewis Hall efforts – breaking an 18-year-old’s dream quicker than a crush with options. MOTM

Outstanding.

🔵 2-0 🦁 #ManCity | @EASPORTS pic.twitter.com/hKhgvHCQdF
— Manchester City (@ManCity) November 9, 2022

Rico Lewis – 6.5

Was good on the overlap going forward but was sometimes left exposed in defence from Mahrez – Lewis Hall was the man to give him problems.

More clinical in his final ball through his development and he will be a fantastic player.

Ruben Dias – 6.5

Both centre-backs never commanded their defensive responsibilities. Could’ve been different if Chelsea were more clinical and wasn’t for Ortega. Kept Broja quiet though.

Aymeric Laporte – 6.5

Made a good last-ditch tackle, however conceded too many chances as a defensive unit to warrant a seven or plus.

Sergio Gomez – 6

Looks much better going forward than having to defend. Being done by Hakim Ziyech for a good Chelsea chance was my only memory.

Rodri – 6.5

Never influenced the game as much as he normally does.

Ilkay Gundogan – 7

A solid rather than spectacular 50 minutes. Looked probing in the first half.

Cole Palmer – 6.5

Seemed to follow the crowd more than finding space. Had a good spell for ten minutes in the second half but was never influential in the position he was given.

Riyad Mahrez – 7

Chalk and cheese in the two halves. Won the free kick after a good run and then scored. Wasn’t influential in the whole game though.

Julian Alvarez – 8

Another fantastic performance and we would be waxing lyrical about him if it wasn’t for a certain Norwegian.

His pass to Mahrez for his goal was delightful, and had the desire to run in for a chance – probably knew Mahrez wouldn’t score.

Jack Grealish – 8.5

Certainly one of the best performers in the first half. Two shots in the first half, the one to the far post was only matched by Mendy’s impressive save.

The only thing lacking was a clinical edge. If he had it, then could have been a hat-trick hero and the out and out MOTM.

Substitutes

Bernardo Silva – 6.5

Was bright in the midfield. You could argue his introduction was the catalyst for the goals but that was never the case – two goals nine minutes after his introduction.

Kalvin Phillips – 6.5

Played basic but needed the minutes after a long injury layoff.