MAN CITY 2 – 1 Newcastle – PLAYER RATINGS

Hart - Couldn’t do anything to prevent Gutierrez’s equaliser, a vicious shot from close range. Was relatively untroubled after that, and handling and distribution were good. Very vocal as well - 6 

Boateng - Played his second game in a short space of time after a long-term injury so good to see him come through both. Attacked down the right, and put in a couple of decent crosses, but not altogether convincing in defence. Good in the air however, and won an important late header with Carroll. Will be better with more games under his belt - 6 

K. Touré – As mentioned in the previous article, he wasn’t quite at the high standards he has set himself so far this season. Failed to track Gutierrez for the goal, but was otherwise competent. - 6 

Kompany - Very similar to that of Touré’s review. Not at his imperious, Drogba-snuffing best, but competed manfully and made a pair of forward runs with was nice to see. A monster in the air - 7

Lescott - Not the most comfortable on the ball which was clear to see, but he ventured forward as much as he could. Very fortunate not to concede a penalty for a tackle in the box. He’s done a decent job as cover in the left-back role, but will be displaced surely when Bridge or Kolarov, or indeed Zabaleta, return - 6 

Milner – The former Newcastle winger had been under the weather all week and unfortunately it showed. Lacked the energy, drive and workrate which are his trademarks, and although he tried hard, it just wasn’t quite his day - 6  

De Jong – Will make headlines for all the wrong reasons after his tackle on Ben Arfa resulted in a broken leg for the Frenchman, but he won all his tackles, breaking up many Newcastle attacks. Had a solid, no-nonsense game but could do with quickening up the tempo a little - 7

Y. Touré - Very underwhelming. Just when you think that Yayá is starting to find his feet in English football, he produces a performance like this. Insipid and lifeless would arguably be too kind. Lacked any creative instinct or desire. Should have been replaced earlier - 5 

Barry - His passing was on the money today, as he controlled the game from the middle of the park, but the tempo was too slow for my liking. Worked hard and tried to influence play, but it didn’t click for the Blues yesterday - 7 

Silva - Looks bright, trying to be on the ball as much as possible. His intricate play with Tévez could at times be shortened by actually shooting instead of passing repeatedly! But, like with Boateng, will get better with time  - 7

Tévez - Tried hard as is the norm with our captain, and got into a couple of dangerous positions, but the end product wasn’t there. Should have shot instead of passing on occasions, but he dispatched the penalty with power, making it seven out of seven successful spot-kick attempts for the Argentinean - 7 

Subs 

Adebayor - I’ve not exactly been his biggest fan in recent times, but just like against Juventus, he worked hard, harrying the Newcastle defenders. Still continues to be caught offside which is mightily frustrating but it’s pleasing that he looks to have turned his attitude around - 7 

A. Johnson - I said he should have been on from half-time, replacing Touré, but despite being given only twenty minutes, he came up with the goods yet again to continue his fine goalscoring form. Is making a point to Mancini, and is going about it in the right manner! - 7 

Vieira - Brought on in the closing minutes to help see out the game, and he did just that - No time to mark