MAN CITY 5 – 0 Barnsley – PLAYER RATINGS
10 Mar
Pantilimon - Made one excellent stop with his feet in the second half but was largely a passenger as City bossed proceedings. His handling was generally secure and he’ll hope that Mancini retains him for the semi-final rather than install Joe Hart - 6.5
Zabaleta – A solid showing defensively and eager to advance down the right throughout. Offered width when Nasri or Silva drifted inside. He’ll have far tougher afternoons coming up - 7
K. Touré – Steady and reliable, as he has been since stepping into the side recently. Not tested a great deal by the likes of Harewood or Scotland but he was comfortable bringing the ball out of defence - 6
Lescott – One awkward pass but generally fine. We all know his qualities as a defensive defender and he was his usual physical, combative self - 6
Kolarov - Heavily involved in the final third on the left, scoring one and instrumental in others. A willing threat going forward, as always, and Barnsley weren’t able to exploit his defensive weaknesses. The perfect match for him - 7
Barry – After a short absence, he was restored to the side and was magnificent. His reading of the game, ability to get his body between man and ball, and positional awareness were first class. A key figure in this side - 8
Y. Touré - In one of his petulant moods, picking up a booking for dissent and continuing to moan. Provided a delicate chip in the build-up to the first goal and was in cruise control after that - 7
Nasri - Some bright moments of interplay around the Barnsley box and produced a couple of dangerous deliveries from wide. The visitors were defensively weak so we didn’t require too much guile to break them down but Nasri was threatening enough - 7
Silva – Another lively display, linking up well with those around him and scoring a simple goal to round off proceedings. Taken off early so as not to risk injury - 7
Tévez - Thrived on Barnsley’s lack of defensive quality to score a hat-trick and continue his impressive recent goalscoring form. Was strong throughout, running the channels well and holding the ball up to bring others into the game - 8.5
Džeko - A more aggressive, hard-working display and he looked all the better for it. Desperate to grab himself a goal and that caused him to be greedy on occasions but he was a vibrant spark - 7
Subs
Sinclair – Before this game, he had played more minutes at the Etihad Stadium for Swansea than he had for City. Given an opportunity in the second half but couldn’t really take it. Not helped by the fact we had the game sewn up and the tempo had disappeared - 6
Razak – Buzzed around in midfield and will benefit from the experience. Needs to be playing regular first-team football, though, and he won’t get that at City - 6
Milner – Hit the post with a fierce piledriver near the end - 6
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As much as I like Yaya, I would take a point off his rating due to his big mouth. He was this close to be red carded. Not sure why Bobby did not sub him after his yellow card, as he looked very unstable.
Agree with Siamack, but Id take another two points off him for the way he ambles around as though his legs are in splints, especially when he has lost possession.
Couldnt agree more. So lazy, even Nasri had to pick him up at one point because he had sat down for so long when a decision did not go his way. Rarely fouled but hobbles around for 5 minutes like he has broken both legs! Plus he was guilty of losing possession too easily again, or berating others for something he did wrong himself!
As good as he did last season, I’m afraid it was an example of Lescott’s severe limitations on the ball and a stark reminder of how composed Nasty is at such a young age. Kolo has impressed me much to my surprise and he was 1 or 2 points better than Lescott who is now atsolid squad player and rightly 4th choice centre back.
Nasri actually was useful in this match, looked like the player I thought we were getting from Arsenal. He actually ran at the defense and seemed like he was more aggressive. Maybe this change was just due to the opposition, but I hope not. Maybe being on the bench has given him a new attitude
Completely agree here. Nasri was absolutely fantastic, and his build up play second to none. Willing to run at people, take them on and a delightful assist for the hattrick goal. Well said Ryan
Plus, I actually thought Dzeko was phenomenal and deserved to score in this game. He worked so hard on the halfway line, winning the ball back countless times when midfield had lost it, i.e. for kolarov’s goal, some superb runs and touches. Only last 5 minutes did he decide to be ‘greedy’ (although this is definitely not the right word, because he wanted a goal and who can blame him after all of his effort. More of the same please Edin