Stoke 0 – 1 MAN CITY – PLAYER RATINGS
27 Jan
Pantilimon - A slightly uncertain opening five minutes or so where his kicking was unsteady but recovered well to produce a solid performance. Was authoritative in the air, his decision-making on whether to catch or punch was spot on and his handling was excellent - 7
Zabaleta – I couldn’t be happier that he was the one to score the winning goal, such is the way he typifies the spirit and character fans love to see. Had hitherto produced an efficient display, bombing forward in the opening half hour before settling in to his role as one of the back three. Versatile, committed and the match-winner - 7
Kompany - Was shackling the physical threat of Jones with relative ease before suffering his calf injury and taken off. If I’m being pedantic, instead of walking straight off, he could perhaps have gone to ground, let the physio treat him for a couple of minutes and that would have given Mancini time to think about the tactical switch and allowed a substitute to warm-up - 6
Lescott – His extra physical presence and aerial ability was always likely to get him the nod against Stoke and he didn’t disappoint. Had to take on additional responsibility following Kompany’s departure and he excelled, organising his fellow defenders, proving a vocal centre-point and relishing the challenge - 7.5
Kolarov - Put in a couple of dangerous crosses when he managed to find space in the final third but this was yet another performance when he did nothing to suggest he’s anywhere near Gael Clichy’s league. Tends to stand off his winger, allowing crosses to come into the box and needs to learn to get tighter to his man - 6
Garcia – Perhaps his best overall showing in a City shirt. Operated both in midfield and defence, and was a resolute figure throughout. Not exactly blessed with pace but he read the game superbly and his positioning allowed him to pick up so many loose balls. Lucky to survive serious injury after Whelan’s horrific tackle - 8
Barry – Not his most influential performance but did what he so often does, keeping play ticking over, making interceptions and linking attacks. Managed to get forward, too, with Garcia offering that necessary protection behind him - 6
Milner – In short spells, he was inspired, his terrific movement along the forward line creating numerical advantages in key areas, but he couldn’t keep that up for too long. Worked hard to support Zabaleta, but by his recent standards, it wasn’t his most effective display - 6
Silva – Outstanding. The last month or so, he has been somewhere near his terrific best and he was there again yesterday. Oozed composure, had far more time on the ball than anyone else thanks to his spatial awareness, vision and movement. Struck the bar with one delectable effort and deserved a goal for his performance - 8.5
Tévez - Up until the part when he had to shoot, he was excellent. Looked lively, closing down defenders, acting as a link between midfield and attack and really tried to get at Stoke’s defence. But his confidence in front of goal seems shot. Was snatching at efforts, slicing them over, dragging them wide and not hitting anything cleanly. Needs a goal - 7
Džeko - A largely typical Dzeko performance, with some excellent touches, some awful ones and not too much in between. Offers an aerial threat up front but he could make so much more use of his frame. Brushed off the ball far too easily and doesn’t have any sort of understanding with Tévez - 6
Subs
Clichy – Brought an added spark down the left, coping soundly at the back and then when he moved to his more customary position later on. Got forward well in the final half hour or so - 7
Aguero – Gave the attacking part of our team a vibrancy, running at defenders, creating space for others and making a nuisance of himself - 6
Rodwell – A late substitute - No time to mark
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Zabaleta – 7. Are you mad? He was absolutely faultless, 9 easy.
I’d give him the same score as Silva and MoM by a whisker. He had to cope with three significant role changes and was, well you said it, faultless.
Im the worlds biggest silva fan but i would probably have just given it to Zab. I actually think Dzeko did o.k when on the ball yesterday, could have been more involved possibly but i thought his hold up play was much better.
I think Zabaleta was outstanding, he was my MOM though this does not take anything away from Silva’s brilliance
Was a very typical game for stoke, glad we came away with a win, could’ve easily ended up a replay.
Is anyone else noticing silva is that much better when operating without nasri? Is that just a coincidence, I hope so.. But he does seem to be able to run the show easier without him there..
Though Nasri and Silva do get in each other’s way, my guess is Yaya being away is the reason, When Yaya is present, the whole team movement is built around him, he controls the temp, distribution and a big chunk of space in the middle. In his absence, Silva seems to be getting a lot of space and the ball and he has been doing an excellent job so far.
Yaya is useless, waste of space
A few years you were nothing down and out like us Hammers now you just have everything best of luck and please beat Manu to the title again!ps can you loan us any defenders?
I thought u were just gonna slag us off when i saw your name but fair play. West Ham will stay up I would imagine. In terms of defenders, I really dont think we will sell this window but Kolo might be a possibility in the summer. You might be thinking someone like Kompany but we have to be realistic, Lescott at a push maybe, although I wouldnt want us to sell him personally.
I recall a few years ago when we were both struggling. Wham were just above the drop zone and we were in it when we played you at Upton Park. I was in the City end, packed as usual, we went a goal behind, you lot started singing,
“Going down, going down, going down!”
We all replied with,
“So are we, so are we, so are we!”
Actually we did go down, you didn’t, but that’s football.
I expect you to have a decent end to the season, you have a strong manager who knows how to keep a side which isn’t blessed with the greatest amount of quality in the PL.
Difficult to say if Silvas form is down to Yaya’s absence, personally I believe Silva was playing very well before Toure left for Africa. I think the scoring of the 2 goals at the weekend, is what has made people stand up and question this possibility. It is definitely true that much is built around the Ivorian and so if he doesnt play well it can have a really negative impact. If he returns from the ACN and Silva and our overall form dips, then his place in the team has to be seriously under question, not that Mancini would dream of dropping him though