Hull 0 – 2 MAN CITY – PLAYER RATINGS
15 Mar
Hart - Despite being reduced to ten men so early in the game, we were never put under spells of pressure by the home side and as a result, the only saves Hart had to make were relatively comfortable stops from headers. He did well not to bring Boyd down in the second half but his overly aggressive reaction to the Hull man’s dive earned him a yellow card. Slow-motion replays, however, showed Boyd spitting in Hart’s face: a reprehensible action that goes some way to explaining our goalkeeper’s anger - 6
Zabaleta - One thunderous volley rattled the bar and that effort was typical of his willingness to burst forward from the back and provide an outlet in attacks. Defended solidly and was a committed, organised member of a determined rearguard - 7
Kompany - Dallied on the ball, trying to be too clever and twist his way out of danger. Caught by Jelavic and the foul should undoubtedly have been awarded in his favour, but once that didn’t happen, the referee had no choice but to send our captain off - 4
Demichelis - The much-maligned figure of fun was outstanding yesterday, and after Kompany departed so promptly, he displayed all his leadership qualities. We operated with a slightly deeper defensive line than usual for most of the game and that suited him. In the air, he was imperious and on the ground, Hull’s strikers obtained no joy. It was just the performance he needed - 8
Clichy – He had been at fault for one of the goals against Wigan but this was a return to the dynamic Clichy we have become accustomed to since he joined the club. He was a bundle of controlled energy at the back, harrying the home side’s wingers and he was a dogged presence as we battled our way to a clean sheet - 8
Garcia - Another oft-criticised player who produced an excellent showing. Started off in his holding midfield role, which freed up Fernandinho and Yaya to wreak havoc further forward, but dropped back alongside Demichelis following the red card. And, unexpectedly, he was assured, composed and dominant. Hull didn’t stretch him as they may have done but Garcia did just what he needed to and he accomplished it effectively - 8
Fernandinho - After the exertions against Barcelona, he was forced into another driven and tiring performance but he coped well and was still buzzing around by the final whistle. Snatched at one glorious chance but he provided us with control and life in front of the back four - 7
Y. Touré - To a large extent, he was carried by those around him. At the start of the game, he was deployed in his more threatening advanced role but had to drop back once Kompany received his marching orders and he struggled to impose himself on matters. Seemed exhausted and lacked any sort of bite in the middle - 5
Nasri - Plenty of pretty touches in possession and he flirted with Silva around the Hull box on a few occasions but his effort in midweek impacted heavily on his ability to track back and support Zabaleta. Tired dramatically after half-time and was replaced by Navas - 6
Silva – It’s hard to conjure up enough superlatives to describe Silva and his performance. We all know about his finesse, touch and vision – and those magical characteristics were in evidence throughout, as highlighted by his goal and then sumptuous assist for Dzeko – but he allied those technical abilities with an indefatigable workrate. Got stuck in, tackled, tracked back, gave his all for the team and I’ve given him only my fifth ten out of ten in four seasons - 10
Džeko - Given a thankless task to lead the line on his own with support a touch deep at times, but in that situation he had to use his physical strength to battle for the ball and then demonstrate the ability to hold it up and bring others into play. Unsurprisingly, he did none of that. Barely won a header all match, gave away possession at times and missed a glorious chance towards the end. Then scored. It was classic Dzeko - 5
Subs
Lescott - Another solid cameo, adding aerial prowess to the backline - 6
Navas - Didn’t see much of the ball - 6
Kolarov – Only on the pitch for a couple of minutes - No time to mark
Harsh on Dzeko. Yes he is frustrating, but he was consistently drawing space away allowing Silva to operate.He’s no Aguero, but I think he’d get into any Premier League side.
Silva is the MAGICIAN
Thought Dzeko played well today and looks a far better bet for the run in than Negredo.
Do you always smoke crack on GameDay?
MIXING CRACK WITH PSYCHIATRIC MEDICATION WAS ALWAYS GOING TO TAKE ITS TOLL ON HIS POST
Other than the poor first touch on the first big chance, Dzeko was excellent today. He ran down defenders, even the keeper, won numerous headers (did the article’s author even view this match?), defended well in our box and passed accurately.
Crazy rating for Yaya, also, as he and Merlin (superlative!) ran the midfield with exquisite exchanges of passes in tight quarters.
Negredo has suffered from his shoulder injury, and Dzeko has struggled with first an ankle, then a knee, but they have soldiered on in Aguero’s absence. Edin is already on the way back, and the Beast will come good soon also. They will carry us forward for the next few weeks – you will see…
Merlin was simply magnificent. It was such a pleasure to see him weave his magic in possession.
ARE YOU SURE COSTARICA ????????????
I missed the game but I’m seriously disturbed to find out that Nasri was flirting around the box with Silva, particularly as we were down to 10 men. These modern day players are paid a prince’s wages and to be caught chatting each other up whilst fans have paid all that money to get there is, quite frankly, disgusting.
Flitting I can take but as for flirting – sickening.
Annoyed, of Tonbridge Wells.
Dzeko held the ball up well at times and his movement was good. Thought he did well in midweek too. Definitely the man to spearhead the attack for the run in.
Possibly the biggest win of the season in the league still have a decent chance to,win the title even with the difficult away games to come. Silva was simply world class must say Garcia looks better every game he plays
Grossly unfair on Dzeko! He worked hard, made intelligent runs and closed down space intelligently.
Ref didn’t give him any help, he was constantly barged in the back yet when dzeko used his strength, the ref blew for a foul.
Dzeko never hides, is always available, finds space, gets on the end of things and led the line perfectly.
In a game where our team spirit and mental strength had been called in to question, yesterday was as good a performance as I’ve seen from city…shame yaya didn’t come to the party.
Great win, that’s what I’m after good old fashioned man stuff,demich was simply magnificent as he was away to Newcastle & Munich he was starting to look like the new Stefan savage, good young kid who made a couple of mistakes & was banished by the club/fans, Anyway that’s out of the way now, very impressed by the team surprised & encouraged to be honest, I feared the worse after the red card, Silva was very good there is no reason for him & nasri not to be grabbing between 10- 15 goals a year, one in 18 for silva ,1 in 9 for dzeko is not good enough… We get that sorted out we’ll be laughing…. I would like isco in the summer smashing player, fit,young & a very good finisher’ nice result for villa, come on city.
Usually I’m heavily in aggreance with vfab. And I usually get frustrated by dzeko but I felt he yaya and Nasri all worked so hard today for the team. Nasri and yaya with silva with intricate passing and triangles to help maintain possession. Then dzeko with his hold up play, plus running the channels to free up space for those 3 behind him.
Just so proud of the team performance. The discipline of the back line was unbelievable. Massive props to demechelis who i am usually so critical of. They held that high line so consistently well.
Great job by the lads. Roll on the rest of the season.
CTID
MATT PLEASE TAKE YOUR MEDICATION BEFORE YOU POST IN FUTURE !! MANY THANKS
ManCity will never win anything once Dzeko leaves next year you unthankful b……..
View from a blue that doesn’t have a clue and smells to much glue.
Mmm!
Pratter from a twatter who’s as mad as a hatter and doesn’t really matter.
That said I thought Edin has a decent all round game. He put a lot more effort in and although he isn’t at his bestm which at times is very good indeed, he still kept the CH’s engaged, made space and earned his corn. He missed a couple of chances he should have put away but the one he finished as classic.
Good to see Martin Demichelis and Javi Garcia getting recognition from all quarters. Both players have had their moments to forget, but grown to become valuable squad members who provide excellent cover and options from the bench and who give 100% when called upon. We tend to eulogise the Merlin’s of this world, and why not, but teams need players like these if they are to win silverware in the course of a 60 game season.
Yaya looked a bit jaded and in need of a break but he still did a lot that was very good. We are less effective when he isn’t there and we have no other player anywhere near his quality or stature who can play in that role, so he gets over played.
Good analysis! To win away playing with 10 men for 80 minutes demands good good team effort. All players at least 7. Dzeko was great.
Important win – it could have been so different – but we won & Chelsea lost (didn’t play as well with 10 men)- so it’s well & truly in our hands now.
Only the away matches against United, Arsenal & Liverpool to worry about!
this result went a little way of ridding that awful wigan result. ..Fulham next so cooooome on city strong finish to the season
Hmmm…two things.
Dzeko played well.
Timothy is drug expert.
But sadly not much of an authority on the beautiful game! CTWD