Spurs 3 – 1 MAN CITY – PLAYER RATINGS
22 Apr
Hart - Off his line very quickly in the first half to smother an effort from Walker. Helpless for all the goals conceded and will feel a touch bemused that he let in three despite not being worked a great deal - 6
Zabaleta – A reassuring presence for the most part down the right, defending solidly and linking up well with Milner in the first half. Tried to bomb forward as much as possible but not hugely influnetial in terms of our attacks and was absent from his right-back position when Spurs went ahead through Defoe - 6
Kompany - A mountain at the back for most of the game, thwarting the home side’s endeavours with his strength and reading of the game. But he was too square on when the cross came into the box for the home side’s equaliser and then didn’t get tight enough to Defoe, allowing the striker to turn and fire Spurs into the lead - 6
Nastasic – Excellent for 70 minutes then found it difficult to regain control. Had been his usual calm and composed self, comfortable in possession and dominant over Adebayor, but then seemed a tad hesitant late on – 7
Clichy – Usually such a reliable and energetic force on the left but he struggled at times against the pace of Walker and the movement in behind him. Recovered well on occasions but found himself running back to goal far more than he would have liked - 6
Barry – An uncertain opening few minutes before he settled down into his regular routine. Sat in front of the defence, limited the space in which Bale had to operate and used possession dilligently, but then tired late on - 6
Y. Touré - Found it difficult to really impose himself on the game. His physicality and dribbling skills were matched by the impressive Dembéle and as such, Yaya had little influence going forward. Picked up his customary booking for petulance - 6
Milner - A bright figure in the first half, working hard to track back and double up down the right, and his withdrawal at the break, due to injury, affected our shape - 6
Nasri - Took his goal with composure and seemed a lively threat in the first half but then performed his disappearing act and barely figured after the break - 6
Tévez - The only genuine positive from the performance. He was magnificent early on, stretching the home side’s defence with his movement and workrate. A superb piece of perseverance, balance and vision for City’s goal and was still pushing at the very end when all others had given up - 8
Džeko - I’m not sure I have the words to describe just how woeful he was. He didn’t win a header all game, his first touch was always to a Spurs man and his work ethic was frankly laughable. If he’s having on off day, that can be accepted, but what is unforgivable is the lack of effort and total disinterest he displayed - 2
Subs
Kolarov – Replaced Milner at half-time but had little impact, as always seems to be the case - 5
Sinclair – A brief cameo - No time to mark
Lescott – Introduced as a striker for the last couple of minutes - No time to mark
Very disappointed in Džeko yesterday. Didn’t seem to finish anything, couldn’t maintain posession.
Not sure why Aguero didn’t come on. If he was healthy enough to be named to the bench, put him in for at least the last 30min.
If he wasn’t healthy enough to go, we should’ve had John Guidetti or someone else there instead.
Do you want Adebayor back??
So disappointed Tevez was are best player hate seeing him in a City shirt after what he did unforgivable especially without an apology. Dzeko has given up on City just like Mancinis given up on him hopefully he joins a team were he gets given a chance to show his talents but everybody can see hes been told he has no future by his body language. Next season we need a striker maybe Cavani and a winger Sanchez or Nacas maybe then get rid of Lescott and sign a decent back up centre back who will be happy to sit on the bench
Dzeko was truly horrible, but on the hindsight, you can at least take very little comfort for good points he has got for City. But what even confused me more than ever was the substitution of Milner with Kolarov esp when Sinclair was on the bench. The lad deserves a chance to make it or break it but it is very difficult when are given a chance for 9 to 10 minutes once in every 5 or 6 games. When I saw Kolarov I truely wondered what a *&#@)(*&& Mancini was thinking to give this useless thing a chance. As some other folks mentioned in other blogs, I wish there were a way to blindfold Kolarov and let him loose in the woods around hoping that he gets lost and never see him again.
Harsh on Kolarov there siamack yes hes bad but hes a decent back up and is good going forward
>>is good going forward
Please tell me one occasion that he has managed to beat a player going forward. He is a defender first and foremost who CAN NOT DEFEND. Except kicking the ball and the repetitive back-heel flick, there is nothing he can offer. He is a liability and had it not been for his skin color, I would have taken him as Joe’s twin
Who’s joe?
Gareth Bale was a defender who couldn’t defend…and look at him now. A massive comparison, granted, but your criticism is over the top.
Matt J – have you retracted that Bale Kolorov comparison yet?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
I meant the creature we owned once JO (João Alves de Assis Silva)
Strange that virtually every week I come on here and say get rid of Dzeko, Kolarov, Nasri and Garcia. Now all of a sudden the truth dawns!
I know Garcia didn’t play on Sunday (thank God) but he def needs to go.
I actually thought we had a really good first half but the decision (when I assume it was discovered that Milner was injured) to bring Kolarov on and move Nasri to the right basically cost us the game. We just completely lost our shape..
I agree that Sinclair should have been given a run and also that if Aguero was on the bench, he must have been fit enough to have a run out.
I just hope and pray that we can hold onto 2nd place!
Agree pretty much with everything….! Surprising!
In relation to a couple of comments above, Kolarov can be decent going forward and some of the criticism can be over the top, but the bottom line is he’s not good enough for us.
JJ, before you falsely claim to be ahead of the game in someway, most have said Garcia and Kolarov are not up to the mark, whereas Nasri still has something to offer for me. Dzeko will always be a super sub at city.
For large parts we were in control yesterday, and I still think we are in better form than in past months but its the score line that counts and there are still a few changes needed in the summer. Including cover for when we are without Silva as we don’t keep hold of the ball same, especially when it matters e.g. 2nd half yesterday.
“Falsely claim to be ahead…….”?
I’m not falsely claiming anything Blue Bullet ….. Just stating facts. I couldn’t give a damn about being ahead, behind, in line or anywhere else…..all I care about is City winning!
Please don’t “falsely” accuse me of something when you obviously don’t know me – just stick to facts please! Oh……and get rid of Dzeko, Kolarov, Nasri and Garcia! ;@)
To be fair, I agree with 50% of your ‘get rid of’ suggestions, and would also replace Dzeko if we could(Cavani being the obvious choice). However, Nasri has shown sparks of real quality for me recently even though its never lasted the 90 mins, I would definitely give him another season.
I do agree with you 100%
Dzeko was a total disgrace and I can’t forgive a player who shows such little respect for the shirt. Hope he is sold ASAP. Worst performance from a City striker I have seen… think of the ground that covers.
Just Enjoy the ride wev seen worse days…….. We’re not really here!! i wonder when people here will get off Dzeko’s case we dont play to his strengths people
agree with most of the ratings and remarks but surprised that there was no mention of Hart’s hopeless clearances which were numerous.
Was I the only one to notice a City player (did not reconize who) tying his shoelaces (!!!) b4 defoes goal.
If most of us agree that Dzecko was hopeless for the time he was on the pitch + Nasri’s disappearing act in 2nd half +the introduction of 3 very energetic spurs players against a tiring yaya/barry. Then we rcvd our just rewards.
QU. could it really be true that in Yaya ‘s contract he cannot be subsituted And if fit must play?