MAN CITY 4 – 1 Manchester United – PLAYER RATINGS
23 Sep
Hart - Will no doubt be bitterly disappointed to miss out a clean sheet but he’ll have been thrilled to watch the destruction that took place in front of him. One decent stop late on with his feet from Rooney and one acrobatic tip over from a Fellaini effort, but it was a very comfortable afternoon for him - 6
Zabaleta - At some point this week, he’ll have to let Ashley Young out of his pocket. Defensively dominant, he was committed in the tackle, quick to intercept and a constant presence down the right - 8
Kompany - Masterful. After a shaky moment when he gave the ball away within the opening minute or so, he was impenetrable. A rock at the back, he was so sharp in making interceptions and nipping in ahead of the striker and he was the leader a side requires in a derby - 9
Nastasic - Received an early booking which was a slight concern but settled down to become sound defensively. He was his usual composed self on the ball and his movement towards the left side to cover for Kolarov was first class - 7
Kolarov - Created the first goal with a sweet cross and his bursts forward in the first half were a feature of the match. Struggled a touch after the break when United were able to isolate him and Valencia, but it was a competent display from the weak link in the side - 7
Y. Touré - This was one of his days: one of the handful of occasions in a season where he turns on his power setting, builds up a head of steam and rampages for 90 minutes with physicality, finesse and brute strength. Dominated the midfield and scored the crucial second goal just before half time - 9
Fernandinho - Not the most eye-catching display but an important figure in the side in terms of providing some semblance of balance in midfield. A touch lightweight, however, and bounces off opposition players, but he’s slowly settling down in what is an unusual role for him - 7
Navas - Created the fourth goal with his blistering pace and was able to match his speed with the perfect delivery into the box. Stretched the game and provided us with width, his presence normally occupying two United defenders. Could work on his left foot, though, as he often tends to cut inside and is then forced to pass backwards - 7
Nasri - His best game in a City shirt by a distance and a sensational way to bounce back after his dismal showing in last season’s fixture. Needed to accept creative responsibility and did just that in a purposeful, motivated and influential display. Had the beating of Smalling throughout, moved well in the final third and offered guile and drive aplenty. There were many outstanding performers yesterday, but he was my pick of the bunch - 9
Aguero - There won’t be a City fan who doesn’t love him. Such an admirable workrate and matches that with tremendous quality, both on and off the ball. He was at his sublime best on Sunday, dribbling round defenders and terrorising them with his movement and pace. Fully deserved his two goals - 9
Negredo - Magnificent. Did everything but score. Combined physicality with deftness, power with vision and aggression with character. Never stopped working, he was the perfect foil for Aguero and the development of their partnership will be something to behold. The way he held off Vidic and then managed to deliver the delicate cross for Aguero’s second goal was remarkable and he’ll only go from strength to strength - 9
Subs
Milner - Did a holding job on both wings, firstly supporting Zabaleta and then Kolarov - 6
Džeko - Missed a couple of chances - 6
Garcia - Laughably dallied on the ball on the edge of City’s box and was dispossessed - No time to mark
Navas’s workrate was exceptional. A very clever footballer who saw and dealt with potential dangers when they broke. And, of course, capable of delivering the sprint and cross for the 4th goal.
Negredo played really well, tremendous work rate. His ball control up the field is better compared to Dezko.
Credit when credit is due. Kolarov had a very good game and it is the third game where he is showing great signs. It seems Pellegrini is getting the best out of Kolarov. For once I was truly proud of him way to go Kolarov
I’ve gotta say that both at the ground and on such weblogs, there is almost an obsession with Kolarov to the point of him being berated when he has done nothing wrong whatsoever. He did pretty well yesterday and is very dangerous going forward. Great result and some outstanding performances. United looked very limited indeed
The anti-Kolarov brigade is unrelenting in its insistence on pinning all flaws in our play on Aleks. This reviewer in particular is complicit in this regard, and always has been.
Kolorov had arguably his best game for us. If he performed like this more often than not for the season then my opinion will change. However, based on his usual play since he came to the club, this is most unlikely.
Interesting that Iniesta has not signed a contract – would still target a centre back mind. Yesterday not only highlighted how important Kompany is but how we need decent back up if he isn’t there.
Nastasic for me deserved and 8 as did fernandinho he stopped the counter which cost us so dearly in this fixture last year glad to see someone else thought nasri was motm silva gonna have a fight this year
Kolarov was also key in the 3rd goal. It was his overlap that drew Smalling which allowed Nasri to cut inside and open up space in the box for Negredo. Kolarov constantly makes these runs game in & out and they are just as important as they allow him to act as a decoy. Clichy is a better defender but Kolarov seems to make a far greater number of overlapping runs than Clichy which allows City to stretch the defense.
I feel bad for the guy as sometimes it seems that even if he could walk on water the boo boys would bitch about him not being able to swim…
Quote:
but it was a competent display from the weak link in the side – 7
I have no real argument with the ’7′ Vfabbers but on reflection don’t you think that the final comment was curmudgeonly and a bit demeaning?
I popped in here just to see if Crispy managed to swallow his bile long enough to write something positive about Kolarov’s very pleasing and committed display, a feature to one degree or another of all his games so far this season. Good old Crispy, true to form, ‘damned with faint praise’ and then stuck the knife in, how predictable!
That’s a shame but I’m pleased to see so many posters, (pjdemers, Blue Forever, Blue Bullet, Siamack) giving credit where it’s due without taking it back afterwards!
I come from a tradition of many decades of supporting those who wear the City shirt, through thin and thinner! I know that these days the expectations are higher and the patience shorter, and no I don’t think that Aleks is the best thing since Roberto Carlos, at worse he’s barely adequate and at best, like Sunday, he’s very good. Nevertheless, I am hard pressed to name any LB’s that have worn our shirt in the last 20 years that I’d rather have starting a game ahead of Clichy and Kolarov. He doesn’t shirk, he covers miles on that flank, he keeps the opposition FB honest and then he has a really terrific game, makes a great run, turns the defender inside out, perfect pass bent around the CH for the incomparable Kun to volley home, the pick of some fine plays in the opposition’s half.
Surely that’s worth a ‘well done Son’ without a snide caveat?
Holy fuck! I’m getting a following!
I’m glad Kolorov had a “committed” display. FFS! Thanks!
As I said, if he keeps it up (ie for more than one game – more like the majority of season) then ill change my mind. The basic problem is he cannot defend!!!
Also at a complete loss as to how his display against Plebzen was pleasing. Please enlighten me.
Better left backs than Kolorov in last 20 years? Hinchcliffe, Pointon, Phelan, Clichy, Zabeleta. I even think Bridge was better at defending, and Tarnant come to think of it!!
Well, every week I come on here and usually finishing with the same thing:
Kolarov, Nasri, Garcia, Dzeko out!
This week, I have to change my mind and make an apology to Nasri in particular and Kolarov to a lesser extent.
If only Nasri would put as much effort in every week – he could be a great player for us and, certainly in the first 60 minutes was my MotM.
Kolarov – well things worked out for him in this game, but I feel more because of United’s pathetic performance than his good one. He is just so slow defensively but hats off to him for that performance.
Dzeko? Supersub but that’s all.
Garcia? Get rid get rid get rid!
As for Yaya…..he did exactly as I predicted, big came cometh the man but I just wish he would do it all the time. Pellegrini needs to give him a kick up the backside.
A great performance and a great win – let’s just hope we can keep it up!
C’mon City!!!
Pelegrin will change most city players life better