QPR 2 – 2 MAN CITY – PLAYER RATINGS
8 Nov
Hart - Made a couple of important stops to prevent defeat, most notably in the first half from Austin, and in difficult conditions his handling was sharp - 8
Sagna - Competed well and looked to spring forward at every opportunity, showing signs of a better understanding with Navas than has previously been the case - 6
Demichelis – Unfortunate with the own goal, but found it tough to have any real authority at the back. Of the two centre-backs, he was the more assured and composed - 6
Mangala - Another struggle for him as he takes longer than expected to adapt. Zamora’s physicality proved a handful, but Mangala should relish that sort of battle. Generally hesitant on the ball, but did manage to pick out Aguero superbly for the Argentine’s first goal - 5
Clichy - After his nightmare in midweek against CSKA Moscow, he won’t sleep much better tonight. Could have got tighter to prevent the cross coming in for QPR’s second goal and was given the runaround by Vargas and Isla - 5
Fernando - Solid for the most part and a few decent touches in midfield, but then very lightweight in the challenge during the build-up to Demichelis’s own goal - 6
Fernandinho - Caught out of position a few times in midfield as he tried to add some energy to the side, although he did improve in the early stages of the second half. Still nowhere near his best - 6
Y. Touré - Provided a delicious, inch-perfect pass to release Aguero for City’s second strike and seemed to enjoy the extra freedom he was granted in his more advanced role, but there were also some sloppy passes and careless moments - 6
Navas - Offered a threat with his pace in behind, yet he lacked that crucial touch of guile in the final third to take advantage of the dangerous positions in which he found himself - 6
Nasri - A passenger in the first half when we needed to scrap and fight for control, but as we began to show our class in the opening exchanges after the break he became more influential - 6
Aguero - Outrageously good. Both goals highlighted his runs in behind, his touch and his composure, and they were two moments of genius to rescue a point. Even aside from his brace, he was a constant menace. It’s just a shame his teammates offered such minimal support - 9
Subs
Dzeko - Erm… - No time to mark
Lampard - Couldn’t quite work his way into the game - 6
Milner - Almost grabbed a goal with a late header - 6
Not sure I’ve seen a player regress as fast as Clichy is doing atm. When he wasn’t slipping over he was miscontrolling the ball. When he wasn’t miscontrolling it, Vargas was stepping inside him like he wasn’t there. Sagna was almost as poor. Always hesitant, sloppy in possession and offering nothing going forward. Navas continues to see plenty of the ball but is never a difference maker.
You do wonder if players like Aguero and Silva won’t be tempted if the big Spanish clubs come calling ?
In both Aguero goals, the technical skill was outrageous, the margin for error infinitesimal and the determination/instinct/hunger/focus he showed was truly impressive.
Let’s face it, only a handful of Premier League strikers could have scored from either of those opportunities, even if they had several bites of the cherry.
The fact he scored both of them, is just silly.