MAN CITY 4 – 0 Newcastle – PLAYER RATINGS
31 Mar
Hart – Saw Cissé’s effort in the first half strike the post but was otherwise a spectator as the visitors offered such a limited threat. A couple of good, early throws to start attacks – 6
Zabaleta – Solid and powerful whenever called upon in defence, which wasn’t too often, and that meant he was able to exert himself in an attacking sense. A willing outlet down the right, providing width and a different threat – 7
Kompany – Great to see him return after a lengthy absence and he was a dominant figure. Comfortable at the back in terms of aerial battles and sniffed out danger as and when required – 7
Lescott – Benefitted from Nastasic’s injury (which isn’t thought to be anything serious) to produce a routine, efficient display. Neat footwork on a couple of occasions – 7
Clichy – So often the catalyst for our pressing game, such is his energy and workrate, and was a terrific option on the left. Delivered a superb assist for the opening goal and was a vibrant presence throughout – 8
Barry – After a couple of uncertain performances, this was back to the essential, severely underrated Barry of the past two seasons. Clinical and positive in his midfield duties, winning the ball and distributing it with purpose. Blazed one shot over the bear but that was the only slight blemish – 8
Y. Touré – An imposing, authoritative figure in the centre of the park, showing a willingness to burst forward and link play between the midfield and attack. Involved in all our build-up play but will see his ‘goal’ go down as an own goal – 7.5
Nasri – By his standards this season, this was an promising showing but that’s not saying too much. He showed a hunger at times in possession, running at Newcastle’s backline from wide but he was still too passive. When you look at his contribution compared to Silva’s, you realise they operate on different levels. There was, and still remains, a sense of bafflement that he was named man of the match at the ground – 7
Silva – When he produces a performance like this one, full of guile, ingenuity and heart, he really is a joy to watch. His touch, vision and ability to link with those around him mark him out as a special talent. His first touch to receive Nasri’s pass and then go on to score was magical and that was just the highlight of a sublime display – 8.5
Tévez – Seemed determined to get on the scoresheet, having a number of efforts in both halves, and got his just rewards for his perseverance by opening the scoring. Worked tirelessly even if he didn’t quite look at his sharpest – 7
Dzeko – Some wayward early flicks but he soon settled down and grew into the game. Controlled the ball delightfully on his chest twice in the second half and took up some decent positions but it’s clear he’s on a different, lower wavelength from the rest of our attackers – 6
Subs:
Aguero – Great to see him return and he looked sharp, running at, and committing, Newcastle’s defenders. Didn’t have a clear opportunity but should he be match fit, he’ll start against Manchester United, both in the league and the cup – 6
Garcia – Slotted in at centre-back to replace Kompany but had very little to do. Slipped on one occasion in our box but we weren’t made to pay – 6
Sinclair – Went ever so close with his first touch, a lovely, bending shot that the visiting goalkeeper tipped wide – No time to mark
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Lescott was better than that, the best he has played this season. I can’t see how you justify marking Clichy and Barry as significantly better than Kompo, Les and Zaba, but fair do’s, you call it as you see it and back it up accordingly.
I have been very critical of Nasri, but credit where it is due is important and I give full credit to Samir Nasri for his all round performance. Your comments were disappointingly grudging; he played very well, and complemented Silva in a way we had hoped and expected when he was signed. Yes, they do operate on different levels, because Merlin in a one off exception, but Nasri has immense ability and if he can get his game and attitude right, as he certainly did in this game, he’ll do for me.
MoM for me was a toss up but I think I’d give it to Silva by a whisker from Yaya. Masri was given the nod by the sponsors and whilst that wouldn’t have been my choice I can live with it
Shocking rating on Nasri who was outstanding today. Disagree completely with you and I agree with comment above. His willingness was second to none, ran at defenders, took them on, got past them, had brilliant close ball control highlighted by his contributions in a couple of goals, including silva’s and his excellent play on the wing to skip past two defenders only for Barry to miss a near open goal. Great performance by him, back to his best.
Again personal bias highlighting Garcia slipping once….if anyone else would have done that then you would have ignored it, like you ignore Yaya sat down in their box for a few minutes for no reason.
Barry for me was man of the match
im with you Matt. I loved the way Nasri played, and Ive been more infuriated with Nasri than anyone this season. I dont think its too crazy he won MOTM
Credit where it is due. Nasri has been rightfully subject to criticism recently but against NewCastle, he was fantastic. I can not call your rating of him as shocking but truly disappointing and questionable. Yaya, Nasri and Silva were all sublime and any of those 3 could be MOM.
Agree here, although I would add Barry to the list of those who excelled. Yaya was great second half
Agree with your assessment of Nasri. He was decent, better than usual but that’s it. To give him Man of the Match was over the top and it shows how poor he has been that when he lifts his game just a few notches, people lose perspective. Everyone knows what he is capable of, and his improved display on Saturday still left plenty of room for improvement.
Definitely a VFAB alias this is!
that was a great shot from sinclair. Wish it went in. (then maybe he’d have something to show for in his City career lol)
Nasri was the clear MOTM. A 7 is absolutely ludicrous.. he was worth a 9 at least. Any fan will tell you he has been horrible all season with the exception of the Community Shield and the Soton game, but he was absolutely electric on Saturday. Could not have asked for more, really.