MAN CITY 1 – 1 Chelsea – PLAYER RATINGS
22 Sep
Hart - With two powerful centre-backs in front of him and with Chelsea showing relatively limited attacking ambition, he wasn’t involved too often. Made one comfortable stop from a header and saw Costa’s effort smack against his post - 6
Zabaleta - His defensive security and link up play with Milner whenever he drifted forward were typical of Zabaleta’s ever-impressive all-round game, and it was all gearing up for another high quality Pablo performance until his sending off. It was probably the right decision to caution him for his foul on Costa, but his first yellow card was debatable - 7
Kompany - Much of the post-match acclaim has gone to Mangala, but Kompany was just as sharp, just as aggressive and just as dominant. He completely overpowered Costa, bullying him in the air and showing his ability on the ground - 8
Mangala - Not a bad debut! It was a surprise to see him named in the side, such has been Demichelis’s consistency recently, but he more than justified Pellegrini’s faith. Relished the physical challenge, showing his strength and aerial prowess, yet it was his recovery pace, in sprinting out wide to cover or in bursting back from City corners, which really caught the eye. It is, of course, very early days, but his partnership with Kompany looks hugely promising - 8
Kolarov - Advanced into a couple of classic Kolarov positions, but couldn’t produce classic Kolarov deliveries. A fairly quiet performer in the overall scheme of the game - 6
Fernandinho - Buzzed around to great effect. He thundered into a string of tackles, yet allied that bite and dynamism with a cultured touch and the confidence to dribble through crowded midfield areas. Starting to find his standout form of last season - 7.5
Y. Touré - There was increased scrutiny on him after what happened during the week, and whilst he was not at his emphatic best, he was bright enough in the middle to help City control the game. Some of his passing from deep, when clipping the ball out wide or over the top, was delightful, but he can still step it up a few notches - 7
Milner - In a team of stars and when the man of the match award at the ground was given to Mangala, it would be easy to overlook Milner’s contribution. He was, however, absolutely superb. On the right wing for an hour, he added thrust to our game, charging into challenges, providing a threat out wide and support in the middle. At right-back briefly, he produced one crucial tackle and then, after a short spell in central midfield, he moved out to left-back. And he changed the game. Starting his runs from deep, he tormented Chelsea on that side, stepping wide, drifting infield and then providing the delicate assist for the equaliser. It was another big game and another magnificent Milner display - 9
Silva - We all know about his mesmeric quality on the ball, but often ignored is his tenacity and willingness to battle for the team. If not quite at his creative best yesterday, he was nonetheless an integral figure in our attacks and delivered the key pass to Milner for Lampard’s goal - 7
Aguero - Plenty of effort and running, but he couldn’t influence matters as he would have liked. For all of City’s dominance in the first hour, we didn’t fashion too many clear chances and Aguero then became a touch isolated following Zabaleta’s red card - 6
Džeko - Although it was, on paper, two strikers that Pellegrini had selected, Dzeko spent lengthy periods in a deeper role, acting as the link between midfield and attack. For the most part, he did a very good job. Occasionally he was just a little too cumbersome and slow to move the ball on, but he generally retained possession well and seemed lively - 7
Subs
Sagna - The obvious substitute when Zabaleta was sent off - 6
Navas - Lots of energy without too much end product - 6
Lampard - It was always bound to happen! - 7
I can agree with almost everything – as usual – we now have the best centre back pairing in the Country, and its good to see James Milner getting the credit he deserves, I just wish he was appreciated more by the management at City. Not too sure that Dzecko was a seven, and basically nobody will ever convince me that he is better than Negrado, or for that matter, Sagna better than the other one we’ve given away, Richards
From the healthy, 2011-2012 Richards no, Sagna is not better. From the highly injury prone and bad Richards (as he is now) he is way better.
It was hard to let him go, but it was time.
Well, I just can’t give a player who left his team with 10 players for almost 30 minutes a 7. Although his first card was harsh. It was a mistake for him to mesh up with Costa from the start.
Yaya gets a 6 from me.
Also, many people criticize you about rating Dzeko low, but as I see it, you where highly lenient with him today. He was nowhere to be found in the pitch and had little impact to the game. I could give him a 5, but I would have been a little tough on him, so he gets a 6.
If Dzeko was a 6 then Aguero deserves a 2. Dzeko did alright and held up play reasonably well considering he was playing in a much deeper role through no volition of his own. Pellegrini recognized Chelsea’s attacking threat so deployed him as almost an attacking midfielder. 7 is a fair score in my eyes. Aguero was the disappointing one today by far. You also have to criticize the midfield for not creating enough chances, in particular Silva and Toure(who was poor).
I’m one of Pablo’s biggest fans but he was rash and deserved to go. I’m getting a bit fed up with this tactical fouling which is not always necessary, is racking up cards and is not putting us in a good light.
I can’t believe you scored Jimbob sooooo low, 10 out of 10 performance if ever I saw one!!
Well done boys hell of a tough game Mr Miller was magnificent no wonder nasri was in the Screamers on the bench he might have to get used to it for a while. Mangala whow. He looks like a very handy cruiserweight.
Man Jimmy and Mangala were immense yesterday. loved seeing Kompany dominate Costa as well. thought yaya was much improved too, his vision from deep is just as great an asset as his powerful bursting runs in my opinion, particularly when teams are playing so compact centrally.
anyways thought we were the better team but because of the sending off, a draw was probably a fair result.
Milner awesome – nuff said!
james milner deserved man of the match. Mangala was brilliant aswell as fernandinho he did he’s job aswell as yaya’s job. Yaya really needs to raise his game and work harder he is costing the team with he’s laid back attitude and tame work. City have shown they are a better team when moving the ball quicker and pressing with some aggression. Nasri needs to be on the bench he slows the game too much. January lets get as dynamic good passing midfielder like modric to keep yaya on he’s toes he’s too comfortable. Upfront it doesn’t look too bad just allow silva to play centrally he picks the perfect passes. A good link up play striker is needed dzeko also slows down attacks, a cavani type of striker would fit perfectly. Best city team for me so far judging from the chelsea game and the past games. 4-3-3…. 1.hart, 2 zabaleta. 3. Mangala, 4 kompany , 5 clichy. Midfield i.d like some change. 6 fernandinho, 7 fernando, silva playing in front of those 2 pulling strings and passes. Forward 3 I’d like to see milner, aguero and navas. Toure needs to do more to get a place and then upfront can always change a bit depending on opponents. This team would and formation would work well in the champions league. Toure is just a passenger in the champions league even last season I saw that, so he looks so good in the premier league because he is respected and give room to shine while in europe nobody cares who he is and what he can do that’s when he looks useless he needs to prove himself in the champions league before anybody goes on about him not being seen because he’s african. He needs to do more and he’s being bagged that’s why he is playing at the moment he needs to be treated like joe hart a bit so that we know what he’s willing to do and not do at the club. Enough about yaya, Nasri needs to play a quicker game and do more shooting that would improve our attacks by miles. City would be a greater team in the premier league and champions league if these elements were there; pressing with some pace and aggression, shoot a bit more around the box instead of always trying to pass the ball into the net, pass with a higher intensity and move the ball quicker we have the players to do that but its all being wasted because we expecting yaya to do this while he’s on feddup leave or whatever season he’s on. City look good on paper and the squad size which everybody talks about but there’s passengers in this team that need a wake up call. Tough love required they are all paid well why must they have it easy. Mourinho gets things right at chelsea because players know what they need to do. City need to wake up if they want to win trophies this season.
I love Zaba but he was reckless. He knew he was on a yellow card but still couldn’t control himself. He always gives 100% but he needs to think about his actions. Thank goodness we equalised.
You folks are becoming very unreasonable on Zaba. He has been a very responsible player througout who has given well and beyond duty to the Club. Things like this happen once a blue moon to players esp when you play against a top team whose players are very direct and dive occasionally.
However; I partially blame Pellegrini who went into second half with 5 players yellow carded. I saw the red coming. He could have made changes and still a red coming but as a manager you need to do something about it esp with great bench we have!
No player is perfect as the word connotes.