MAN CITY 4 – 1 Tottenham – PLAYER RATINGS
19 Oct
Hart - His penalty save will grab the headlines and understandably so, but his stop in the opening minutes to deny Mason was outstanding and he thwarted Soldado again after the break, this time from a swivelled effort. The scoreline looks thumping, yet it could have been very different had Hart not produced a magnificent display - 9
Sagna - Defensively, the biggest compliment that can be paid is that we did not miss Zabaleta. Sagna covered inside superbly, always anticipating danger and making a series of key clearances. Going forward, he was a willing runner but struggled to link up to great effect with Navas. At times, they seemed to get in each other’s way - 7
Kompany - Given the odd shaky moment by Tottenham’s fluidity in attack and tried to be too cute on occasions at the back. For the most part, however, the game was played in the other half - 6
Demichelis - A couple of typically crisp passes to initiate forward moves, but also a couple of full-length slides to cut out attacks that didn’t pay off. Unfortunate to give away a penalty - 6
Clichy - Often seems to drift under the radar, but he’s a solid member of the back four and an energetic spark down the left. Frequently bombed on past Milner into crossing positions and had the sense to keep the ball safe and on the ground, rather than aimlessly lift the ball into the middle - 7
Fernando - His first start in a while after injury and then the international break, and it showed. He was culpable for Tottenham’s goal, caught on the ball in midfield, and that wasn’t the only time he dallied and saw his pocket picked. He did put in a few crunching tackles, but this was a rusty performance - 4
Lampard - Started well and seemed as happy as ever to burst forward and join attacks, but then succumbed to injury and was forced off - 6
Navas - There were plenty of eye-catching runs and dribbles, and his pace was a valuable outlet to stretch the game, but his final delivery was severely lacking. He has a knack of taking up inviting positions, but just as you want him to attack his man, he often stutters and feints inside. He has the directness and speed to get to the byline every time – he just seems to lack the self-belief - 7
Milner - Hart and Aguero were the obvious standouts, but Milner was not too far behind. Over the past month, he has turned himself from a fringe player into an absolutely vital ingredient to the way we play. Equally happy to stay out wide or drift infield, he has been a star recently - 8
Silva - In a game in which we scored four and could have had plenty more, it seems odd that our best player was nowhere near his peak. He found it tough to get into the game in the first half, which is unusual when he operates just behind the striker. Slightly more prominent after the break, but his passing lacked its usual guile - 6
Aguero - When he has that hunger and drive to his game, he’s unstoppable. There are days when he turns it on and plays as if he needs to prove himself, and yesterday was one of those. Missed one penalty and a couple of presentable chances, but the way in which he took his first and last goals was clinical. He’s a joy to watch when in the mood - 9
Subs
Fernandinho - Struggled, as has often been the case this season. He was deemed not quite fit enough to play two games in such a short space of time ahead of the clash with CSKA Moscow, but he was introduced early due to Lampard’s injury and he found the pace of the game just that bit quick - 5
Jovetic - Good to see him back - 6
Y. Touré - Eased through the final few minutes - 6
I dont Milner deserves an 8 He wasnt as influential as against Villa Everytime he plays I get the feeling hes trying to emulate Silva
Spot on marks and comments for me. Only disagree about Dinho. Although he got caught once, maybe twice upfield, he won the ball and passed it crisply and played some lovely balls through to aguerooooooo. He was responsible for brilliant passes that led to two goals. A 7 from me. Otherwise spot on. Fernando on the other hand had a mare. Just one of those days for him. Forget it and move on
There already seems to be an anti Sagna brigade amongst certain fans, considering hes played about 3 or 4 games I find that staggering, although I know in reality I shouldn’t be too suprised considering what ‘football fans’ are like.
Fernando has just come back, no player is the same when they’ve been out for a while, I would’nt expect him to set the world alight next game either.
Reconcile these two statements if you will.
“yet it could have been very different had Hart not produced a magnificent display”
with
“In a game in which we scored four and could have had plenty more”
Totally disagree with Milners Pal. Milners was easily worth an 8 and I agree with Wattle that Fernandinho’s performance was far better than you appear to recognise.
We were an attacking threat all thru. We could have scored more, should have. But it is also a fact that Hart kept us in the game. Had they equalized, perhaps, the momentum of the game would have changed and the final scoreline may not have been palatable to us.
Just trying to marry the two expressions. And that is why, in my honest opinion, Joe Hart was my MOTM.
Many many games in the past have been changed by a goal; it is impossible to say what would have happened if Hart had not made the saves he did and frankley I dont want to know because it’s very possible the outcome would have been different.
I disagree with you about navas who I thought had an excellent game, I think he’s a great player’ his stats are very impressive, he has tons of assists’ milner & serg were excellent the rest bar hart were average or below. For sure exciting to watch but we have to lose the five aside mentality when it comes to c.l games. We’re way to open in the middle. We have problems in there – I think we sit off the opposition to much when they have the ball’ I have the top sides in mind here, anyway I enjoyed the game.
Permit me to agree with VFAB on Navas. True he has pace. His positioning is wonderful. He is an attacking threat. But when it comes to the final delivery, Navas wobbles. His crosses yesterday were feeble. Even when he should score, he lacks the impetus to do so, or the precision to tuck the ball in. Hope he improves on this
Same problem with Milner. Final ball is lacking quality
In 9 seasons with Seville….276 league games – 62 assists, there is nothing to argue over here. It took me a while to find that one, anyway all is good.
Agree with the other commenter that you’ve been a bit harsh on Fernandinho. Thought he did fine considering he was coming off an injury and thrust into the middle of a high intensity match.
Fernando has been hit and miss so far. I’d like to put part of it down to adjusting to the pace of the league. The team really needs him to come good and stay fit.
Hart 9
Sagna 7
Kompany 5
Demichelis 4
Clichy 6
Navas 7
Lampard —
Fernando 4
Milner 7
Silva 7
Aguero 9
Fernandinho 6
Jovetic —
Yaya Toure —