MAN CITY 3 – 2 Spurs – PLAYER RATINGS
23 Jan
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Hart - Could arguably have stayed on his line for Defoe’s goal but he can’t be faulted too much. Apart from the two goals, he didn’t have a save to make - 6
Richards - Bale tended to drift inside rather than stay on the wing so Micah was often left with no-one to mark. On the few occasions Spurs advanced down our left, Richards’s positioning wasn’t great and he ought to have done more to prevent Lennon from laying off the ball so easily to Bale for the goal. Was a threat when attacking down our right - 6.5
Savic - For the first hour, he was assured, composed on the ball and countered the threat of Defoe. However, one misjudged header was then the catalyst for his performance to collapse and he looked a nervous wreck afterwards. Clearly not ready to play week in week out, but he’s shown enough potential to persevere with. Plenty are writing him off which is far too fickle and premature - 6
Lescott - Raised his game when he really needed to. In the absence of Kompany, he needed to assume greater responsibility and for the most part, he did. Dominant in the air, competent in possession and got his name on the scoresheet. One slightly unsavoury moment when he looked to have thrown an arm towards Kaboul and seemed a touch lucky to escape - 7
Clichy - Troubled by both Lennon and Walker in the opening exchanges and picked up an early yellow card. Fortunately, however, that didn’t affect his performance and he proved to be a willing runner down the left. Grew into the game and linked up well with Nasri - 6.5
Barry – After a couple of below-par displays, this was back to the Barry from the majority of the season. Was very disciplined in midfield, winning his challenges and providing secure protection in front of the defence - 7.5
Milner - Another one to impress and relished the battle in the middle of the park. One superb last-ditch tackle to deny Bale was testament to his workrate, whilst he nullified the threat of Modric with a dominant showing. Was effective in possession too, interchanging with Silva on occasions and managed to get forward at times - 8
Nasri - Arguably his most complete performance since his debut at White Hart Lane in the previous meeting between these sides. Was far more involved than usual, his movement was fluid and he looked a real threat going forward. Took his goal superbly and showed more intent than in previous games. Finally showing signs of settling down - 7.5
Silva - The best player on the pitch by a distance. So cultured in possession and committed in his defensive duties, he livened up a fairly turgid affair with a pass of absolute brilliance to assist Samir Nasri. All game, his touch was outstanding and was the focal point of all our attacking endeavours - 8.5
Aguero - We have now become accustomed to seeing his superb work ethic combined with a mesmeric first touch, and he produced another impressive display against yesterday. Saw a couple of shots either saved or deflected early on, but continued to press the Spurs defence and was often the link up between midfield and attack for the Blues - 7.5
Džeko - Tried his hardest but despite his winning goal against Wigan, he seemed totally bereft of confidence. Won a couple of flick-ons but his passing wasn’t crisp, nor could he bring others into play - 5
Subs
Balotelli - A typical Mario substitute appearance! Should have been sent off, in my opinion, for his stamp of Scott Parker but then showed immense calm to take the penalty. It was of such significance but Mario oozed composure and slotted it home. Loves being the centre of attention and he was certainly the talking point from the game! - 6
A few points …
- You have overrated Savic, he made another fatal mistake that almost cost us the game but we were very fortunate that Defoe missed the chance.
- Dezko was very poor and I do hope he gets enough support to find his best form, now that our super-mario is banned for 4 games
- Do not know what to say on Super-Mario, he seems to be thick to get through, mind you I love the lad and I am behind him 100%
- Milner was my man of the match. I believe he deserves to be in starting 11 game-in game-out
- Not sure why Nedum does not get a chance in CB, I am sure he will do better than Savic. Savic should be eased into these big games.
Ditto for Nedum and are we finally calling Dzecko a flop yet?
Have to say that where milner was very good, that Silva on the otherhand was at times a genius, so needless to say i agree with your motm call. IMO i would say you were a little harsh on Richards though. Dzeko we all know at the moment has good and bad games, and has undoubtedly made big contributions this year,therefore to answer the above question he definitely isn’t a’flop’, and we need to get behind him . If he’s a flop then what does that make them 2 at Chelsea and Liverpool?
Siamack – Overrated Savic? Never!!!! 2 or 3 mistakes aside he had a very good game. Let’s be honest, has any EPL player never made a mistake? No!! A fair rating IMO.
Silva (or da Silva, depending to whom you are talking *cough* Chris Coleman *cough*), is just a joy to watch. Totally composed on the ball and passes like a god (which he is!)
Siamack leave Savic alone and get behind your players. Savic was immense during the first hour and then made a mistake…you dont lambast Lescott when he makes a mistake…all you say is bring Nedum on or something like that when he’s mroe likely to make a mistake having only played in 1 league match for two years?
city should buy alex from chelsea for mean time or put richard along side with lescott and play zabaleta right back. for liverfoolish game i would put. : zabaleta,richard,lescott,clichy,barry,milner,silva,nasri,dzeko and aguero
we should let kolo toure play he’s got experience and can read the game easily
We would if he was not in Africa
Hart was as much at fault for the first goal as Savic was. Defoe was going nowhere until Hart gave him the easy choice of taking it around him? More should be said on that
nasri 8,5 richards 9 clichy 7,5 barry 8