Fulham 2 – 4 MAN CITY – PLAYER RATINGS
22 Dec
Hart - Recalled to the side and produced a solid, and at times crucial, performance. Made a couple of very good stops in the first half and was an assured figure when crosses came into his box. Helpless with both goals - 7
Clichy - Chosen ahead of Boyata and Milner to start on the right of defence and he struggled. He seemed positionally uncertain, loss his footing on a few occasions and was given a tough time out wide. Didn’t offer anything going forward which was understandable enough but it would be a risk to play him at right-back against Liverpool - 5
Kompany - A comical own goal will dominate memories of his display, but other than that moment, he was in command at the back. Sharp to the tackle, powerful in the air and comfortable in possession, he was an authoritative presence - 7
Demichelis - He won’t receive many plaudits as attention will no doubt be centred on our attacking stars, but, despite Alan Hansen’s odd analysis on Match of the Day, he was quietly influential at the back. Overwhelmingly positive on the ball in looking to add impetus from defence and he showed all his nous and experience to anticipate danger - 7.5
Kolarov - His eagerness to bomb forward and powerful delivery into the box created a couple of chances but he was his usual iffy defensive self. Some of Fulham’s threat in the first half came down his side and Kompany’s own goal came after Kolarov had been beaten far too easily by a pass on his inside - 6
Y. Touré - Another sublime free-kick, his fourth of the season, but it took until the final few minutes before he really clicked into life. For much of the game, City’s midfield struggled to control matters as we often do and he looked a little leggy - 6
Fernandinho - A far quieter performance than the dynamic showings he has produced recently. He was nippy and darting but found it tough to stamp his authority on proceedings and he drifted through the match without a great deal of impact - 6
Nasri - Another one who didn’t make as much of an impression as he has done throughout this season. Unable to have much of an influence in key areas and was withdrawn in the second half - 6
Silva - Constantly involved but his final touch was lacking for lengthy periods. A largely frustrating afternoon for him but his perseverance and quality were highlighted by a pinpoint assist for Navas’s goal and then had a hand in the fourth - 6
Džeko - Afforded an opportunity in Aguero’s absence but failed to state his case for more regular chances. Wasted a couple of efforts in the first half and didn’t link at all with those around him - 5
Negredo - Improved when Dzeko was taken off and he was the sole target men with others buzzing around him. Hadn’t had a productive game until late on in proceedings when he played a role in the third and then produced an astonishingly good cross for Milner to finish - 6.5
Subs
Navas - His introduction made a difference, providing balance in attack and pace in the final third to a side which had hitherto seemed a touch predictable. Took his goal clinically - 7
Milner - Yet another impressive cameo! His technique and composure made his strike look simple but it was far from easy - 7
Garcia – Barely touched the ball - No time to mark
Silva 6? Goal.com rated him as MotM!He struck the crossbar and was our most daNgerous player! Harsh.
Not sure why Pellegrini does not use Boyata at RB, I remember he has his best performance against Chelsea and United as RB before he got crucified for his mistake in Arsenal game by Mancini and media. He needs to be shown a bit of trust and confidence. I am sure at the very least he will not be as bad as Clichy or even Milner as RB.
That is what happens when you overwork your best RB in capital one cup instead of giving a person like Boyata a starting chance! in such a game against a not very strong team. Anyways, in the end we played most of game with Boyata and won the game, the proof of pudding in its eating
I usually largely agree with VFAB but we have big discrepancy with our player analysis for this match. Silva has divided opinion a little on his level of performance so I will let that go, cant help but feel because he gave it away on edge of their box for their first goal though that this is sticking in the memory for some.
Without breaking each player down its hard to see we could score 4 and create so many chances yet all attacking players score 6.5 or less, irrespective of how we didn’t control the game as we can.
‘will let that go’ I’m shaking my head at myself for that one
Totally disagree with Dimi, for a man built up to have such an intelligent reading of the game all he seems to do is chase the ball like a lost dog, dive in at every opportunity and leaves his defensive partners exposed. I hope he improves because on this form he’s no better than Lescott as a backup option. Silva and Negredo are 8′s for me as they dictated the game.
Re Demichelis.
Your assessment is utter rubbish FRAH, I don’t usually go in for destructive criticism/comment, but with your assessment it’s hard not to do so.
His positioning is excellent, his interventions usually well timed and well judged, he rarely commits when it isn’t necessary. He is comfortable on the ball, comfortable and measured in his passing and is frequently the starting point for springing defence into attack with intelligent passes that find our player, rather than our customary ‘English’ belting the ball up field to get rid of it thus gifting it to the opposition.
Comparing Demichelis with Les is like comparing a Volvo to Massey Ferguson, you know, the ‘old grey Fergie version! Let me guess, your preferred style of CH’s would be a fine blend of the pace of Ged Wiekens and the sbtlety of Andy Morrison.
I think VfaB got up feeling a bit grumpy before he wrote up these players gradings. The adverse comments about the midfield pair of YYT and Fernie failed to take account of the attacking 442 formation which left these two playing against 3 opponents for most of the game. Yaya’s free kick goal alone was worth 6!
AK was better than the comments or score suggest; come on, he can’t be in two places at once and the way Pellegrini demand his FB’s play means (a) we score more and (b) we sometimes leave ourselves a bit short at the back.
So far matey it’s working for me; I haven’t enjoyed better football played by City at any time in the history of the Premier League.
I rather feel that whoever gets picked at RB against Pool are in for a torrid time. That would have gone for Micah too had he been fit. The loss of Zaba is every bit as destructive to out balance and confidence as the loss of Vince was. The sooner he is back the better.
As much as I disagree with Alphie on many points but I totally agree with him on this one and I think your assessment is utter rubbish FRAH
We struggled a bit because Aguero was out and there’s no pace in the attackers. Navas is a must start with Aguero out
I think we all often take Silva and YaYa for granted and apply a higher measure to their performances; if you ask any other team which players they would like in their team David and YaYa feature prominently. I think the game changed after YaYa’s free kick,(the response from Taarabt after the ball curled around him is priceless!) our players lifted and Fulham dropped. As for David’s touch; to be blessed with that talent, we expect too much!
I agree on the whole far from our best performance , but it is great to see us going on with the job after the loss of momentum from the own goal, I don’t think this would have happened earlier this season or last year.
That incisive pass from Negredo was the assist of the season!! Totally world class
I totally agree that Dzeko was a mess in the game. Too bad he ruined his chances.
Boy, i’d agree with VFAB about Demichelis. He really was an imposing figure. Fulham threatened mostly from the flanks. Clichy was in the wrong foot and he found not a moment peace.
As for playing Boyata, he looked outta shape when he played in that position too. He (as i recall) is not a RB but a centre back. I’d go with Milner to fill that void, he won’t be that bad, am sure.
If I try hard enough I might just be able to forgive Silva for giving the ball away three times in the game. I mean, he’s probably not given it away more than 10 times in his whole City career. I may also forgive him for winning the free kick for YaYa’s goal; forgive him for assisting the third goal; and forgive him for playing a major part with Negredo for the fourth. C’mon chaps! For me he’s the best player I’ve ever seen live in a City shirt – just edging out Wayne Biggins….
Beautiful free kick from YaYa; so typical of him this season. Just as typical was his complete lack of effort in tracking back for their first. Great going forward; shocking in defence.
I can sort of see what Hansen was getting at in that our defence was very open at times – but I think it was more a case of playing two up front and Fernandinho having to hold the midfield defensively on his own. Maybe Pellegrini thought he could get away with it against Fulham and he was proved right (but not against Villa; Cardiff and Sunderland…).
Demichelles was ok but does have a tendency to dive in and chase after the ball when holding position would be better; which is a surprise for someone so experienced. I’d be tempted to play Lescott there as he is quicker; more experienced in the Prem more experienced playing with VK albeit he is awful on the ball!
Defoe Milner right back. Has played well there for England and we all know he could do a job (Clichy was awful) – with his engine he could overlap like Zaba too.
Our most difficult game coming up on Boxing Day….
Good post Crispy, I don’t entirely agree with all of it but well argued, points well made.
Crispy, that’s a really good and fair assessment of Silva, Yaya and Demach. Well said! Maybe you should be writing VfaB! It’s true that the defensive midfield work is mostly carried out by Fernandinho. It did work with Fulham but it was very borderline until the last 15 minutes. Demach. DOES dive in and often leaves Kompany covering for him.I blame the first goal on Demach.(and definitely not on Silva) as he dived in at the halfway line and was nowhere to be seen when they scored. If he had held his line they would never have scored. My main worry is whether MP tells him to do this and I agree that Lescott would be a better bet against Liverpool. Must hope that Clichy is not at RB against Liverpool.I can see Liverpool scoring 2/3 if MP goes with 2 upfront again. So lets hope we can score 4/5 again!!
do i need to mention again that clichy was abysmal?
no defending, no attacking nothing.
lazy to track Taarabt on the first goal we conceded.
5 is a very overestimated rating, 3 should be okay.
Dzeko once again showed that he does not deserve a chance ahead of Negredo and even Jovetic.
I was expecting to see Jovetic start given that Dzeko wants to be a key man (he thinks he deserves it? NO WAY) and will probably leave at the summer transfer window. Also Jovetic is a very promising talented player and only 21 years old so he should play to develop.
Totally agree about Clichy. M.P’s error for playing him there in the first place. How can you play a player who can’t kick or tackle with his right foot at RB? This is yet another error made by this manager and could have cost us the match,were it not for some outstanding play for the 3rd and 4th goal!
By the way MP’s errors are starting to mount up:
Loaning Barry (in my opinion the best Defensinve Midfield player in England) to Everton and making them into a title contending team. They could even win the League at the rate they are going at! Well done, MP great decision.
Playing Garcia in defense for several games and losing us valuable points.Also playing him in midfield instead of Milner or Navas.
Not know the rules in Champions League football. Will be great to see FCB at Eastlands but in terms of progression to the next round….. ??
Then playing Clichy at RB – he just about got away with that one! But it was a very poor decision by the manager.
Finally someone has come realize the value of Barry. He has been massive in Everton. Too bad he was under-appreciated in City.
I like Pellegrini and am very happy he’s at City.
15 pts in the champs league, exciting attacking football, on pace for record goals..
I agree Barry is a good player, but realize that Fernandinho is Gareth Barry on crack. Barry would just be getting the minutes that Garcias getting, so I don’t understand all the Barry talk