MAN CITY 2 – 0 Hull – PLAYER RATINGS
1 Sep
This is a guest post by David Mooney, part of the award-nominated BlueMoon podcast and author of the recently published and highly recommended The Man Who Restored Pride, a book based on Roberto Mancini’s time at the club.
Hart - Seemingly shaky at first when he didn’t come to sweep up an early ball over the top, but a good take in a crowded box from a corner quickly rebuilt his confidence. He did enough to prevent Aluko scoring at a one-on-one and some great punches at the end to relieve pressure - 7
Zabaleta - Much improved after a difficult game in Wales, though did miscue a header to allow Graham a good chance to get in at goal. Otherwise solid and always involved in the play. Great cross for Negredo’s opening goal - 7
Lescott – Felt uncomfortable on the ball on the right side of defence and always tried (understandably) to manoeuvre it onto his left. Allowed Aluko in for a one-on-one that should have been the opening goal, but was strong in the air and could have had a goal himself – 6
Nastasic - Looked a little rusty following his injury and struggled to form a cohesive partnership with Lescott at centre-back. Caught out a couple of times communication wise and dived in too eagerly for his booking, but otherwise a steady return to first team action – 6.5
Kolarov - Gave the ball away cheaply at times, but was always a willing option wide on the left, despite finding himself isolated when Silva had drifted inside. Brilliant recovery tackle to deny Boyd, having found himself on the wrong side of the Hull man initially - 7
Y. Touré - Strolled around the pitch and showed little urgency at times, but pulled out some great touches and passes at others. A frustrating performance from a man who can do the business, but appeared disinterested at times. Great free kick to secure the points, however - 6
Fernandinho - Drifted in and out of the game and struggled when City’s midfield were flat and square with each other. Worked hard, but little was coming off for him – though did improve in the second half when the shape had been tweaked by the manager - 5.5
Navas - A willing runner and involved in some of City’s most dangerous moves. Showed a variety of crossing and was unlucky not to be rewarded with a goal for a brilliant, acrobatic volley from a swift breakaway. Probably City’s best performer of the afternoon - 7.5
Silva – Didn’t seem comfortable on the left flank and seemed to want to drift inside. Saw plenty of the ball, but couldn’t quite find the room necessary to pull the strings in a packed Hull defence. Great cross for Lescott, but probably the right move for him to be subbed in the second half - 5.5
Aguero - Found it difficult to find space, though he was lively and probably should have had a penalty late in the first half. Service to him wasn’t brilliant and he never looked likely to be the one to break the deadlock, but he was always involved. Made the wrong choices on a couple of occasions on the break - 6
Džeko - Crowded out for most of the first half and his first touch let him down on a couple of occasions, especially when surrounded by so many defenders. Tried to get himself into the game, but it never happened for him and was showed up by the performance of Alvaro Negredo in the same position in the second half - 5
Subs
Negredo – Another great display from the bench and was the difference in the second half to give the home side the lead. Has probably done enough to earn himself a start in the next match, though he probably should have scored much earlier than he did with an easier chance than the one he put away - 7
Nasri – Criticism from Cardiff seemed to leave him with a point to prove. A willing runner and caused Hull various problems (including winning the free kick to allow Toure to seal the game), though did pull his old trick of going half-heartedly into some challenges - 6
Milner – Added steel to the midfield for the final 15 minutes when the visitors were pressing. Several good breakaways from the left flank were led by him and his work rate was part of the reason the Blues were able to see out the game with a clean sheet, though difficult to mark too highly for the length of time he was on the pitch - 6.5
Great footwork from Joe in the second half, getting the ball clear to howls of laughter!
Well I’m sure he meant it…….England, England number one, England, number one!
Cheeseburger……£6.10…….queues…….some things don’t change (apart from prices!)
Oh…..and the other things that don’t change -
Kolarov, Nasri, Dzeko, Garcia……..get rid!
Fernandinho will also join that illustrious group unless he improves very, very quickly…….bring Barry back in!
Navas needs to have patience and stay out on the wings.
Yaya – as usual – needs a kick up the backside AND needs the captaincy taken off him so that he can receive that kick!
Highs? Negredo looks like he will knock us a few goals in if given the service.
Good to see Nastasic back in – he is going to be great.
Silva and Aguero? I’m not sure what they are doing at the moment and worst of all, I’m not sure they do!!!!
Who knows what goes on behind closed doors, but Pellegrini needs to get a grip!
(And please don’t people come back saying give it time etc etc – time we don’t have – that is what the per-season is for!)
Yawn!!!!
Spot on JJ. I think Fernandinho’s price tag is the only thing keeping him in the team. He’s been truly useless up to now. More like £30 than £30m. Rodwell should play instead of him to give us drive & bite. Milner as well not being ignored. Toure & Fernandinho isn’t working. Not enough from either of them.
Too right. Against Stoke put Milner in the middle instead of Fernandinho. If Rodwell fully fit then put him in to replace the ‘undroppable’ YaYa. His contract may state he has to play but it mustn’t state he has the armband as others have worn it so rip it off him and give it to Zabaleta. YaYa must never even see it again. Captain? Leading by example? Do me a favour.
Dzeko poor but I’d play him and Negredo against Stoke and drop Aguero, yes I’d drop him. Ole scored Utd’s biggest goal in recent times but remained a sub…
Hart;
Zab(c), Nasty, Barry/New CB, Clichy;
Milner, Rodwell;
Navas, Silva, Negredo;
Dzeko
First of all I’d love to say I love this site and the views on the games. Personally fellas fernandinho is a top professional, he has learned English already. He turns defence into attack so much quicker then Barry and has the pace in CM that was much needed last season. Give it a few games and he will be top notch.
Right on!!!
Negredo is a pure class, his is a true predator in the box and his movements are top class. Not sure how Kolarov and Negrode get the same score based on their contribution on the pitch. I get it, he had one very good tackle. But I guess he has been so horrible that such a rare sight of great tackle by him as a defender warrants a 7
Totally agree with many of the comments. Mr P has no idea of English football! Loaning Barry – big, big mistake! There is no cover on the left and the midfield will be overrun as it was at Hull. Just watch every team attack down the left. Why is Nasri still playing? He has been useless for 2 years!!! This team will may be ok at home but will lose a lot of away games. Mancini – don’t go too far away! we will need you back at the end of the season! He has a good understanding of English football. I will not go and watch a load of Spanish speaking players earning ridiculous amounts of money.