Southampton 0 – 3 MAN CITY – PLAYER RATINGS
30 Nov
Hart - One goalmouth scramble in the first half was about as lively as it got for him. His punching was fine on the whole, but his distribution was typically wayward - 6
Zabaleta - Enjoyed a decent battle with Mane and thanks to his dogged defending and willing forward runs, he was the victor in that contest. Covered well at the back, relying on Navas to support him on the wing as he dropped in to make it tough for Southampton to play any intricate passes through City’s backline - 7
Kompany - A couple of vital early tackles that set a commanding tone and he was keen to play the ball out from the back with purpose. We just have to hope his injury is nothing too serious as, even if he’s not at his best, he’s still such a crucial component of the team - 7
Mangala - His first yellow card was for a needless foul and one that showed his sometimes rash nature. I have no complaints about his decision making for the second, however. He had to make that challenge after a shocking mistake from Yaya and, odd as it may sound, he was good apart from getting sent off! – 6
Clichy - He just seems to be finding some form after a challenging start to the campaign. Tadic and Clyne have been excellent for Southampton this season, but neither got a sniff out of Clichy, such was the Frenchman’s dynamism and composure. Great for him, too, to cap an impressive performance with his first goal for City. That he was the furthest player forward in the last minute after a corner for the home side typified his energy - 8
Fernandinho - Plenty of neat play from Fernandinho as he worked hard to establish control in central areas. Grew into the game and was a powerful runner in the second half - 7
Y. Touré - Asserted his authority and strength in the first half and then broke the deadlock, albeit with the help of a deflection. After that, a careless moment in midfield saw him robbed and Mangala sent off. Did muck in late on to secure the win - 7
Navas - In an attacking sense, he was fairly quiet and couldn’t provide a constant threat out on the right. Did his job defensively, though, tracking back well and thwarting Bertrand’s forward endeavours - 6
Nasri - A typical Nasri display, really, with plenty of neat touches but when he left the pitch, you’re not quite sure what he actually achieved - 6
Jovetic - Looked to give Aguero as much support as possible and had an important role in dropping on to Wanyama when Southampton had possession, but he still doesn’t influence matches as well he might - 6
Aguero - His shooting boots were missing for once, but whilst he couldn’t add to his tally for the season, his overall display was once again superb. Provided two assists as a result of his movement and ability to drift past defenders, and worked tirelessly to offer an outlet up front - 8
Subs
Milner – Made a difference, as is invariably the case, with his tough tackling and positional intelligence - 7
Lampard - There was an inevitability about him scoring when he picked up the ball just outside the area. Added a calm head at the right time - 7
Demichelis - Slotted in without problems - No time to mark
Pellers keeps on persisting with Navas on the right I would play Milner in that slot every time and for Navas to come on latter stages stretch the opposition with their tiring legs.
agree with Gandoff on Navas, Milner in my starting side every week. I thought Ferna was very good today…
Agree, agree, agree!
Bit disappointed to see Mangala being made the scapegoat in many papers across the UK, I agree with you, he had a fine game before his sending off…which as you mention, came from the lazy yaya.
Navas was disappointing for me, but it was nice to see Fernandinho have a good game today, was impressed with him. Also happy with performances of Clichy and Nasri.
The best team performance since hull away last year. We were absolutely excellent, I agree with you about mangala…what else could he do?? Yaya left him in the sh*TT*r’ we looked a right good side today- frank was great again-what a player he is, to be fussy I thought that jovetic was dreadful, he looses the ball far to much & takes needless extra touches which slows us down. I’d play frank in that roll no bother to him, a class act-delighted to have won against a very good side. Keep it rolling boys.
When players are brought in from foreign leagues, especially young ones, we should look for quality, technical ability and attitude, and then sit back and let them settle in before making judgements. If we heap pressure on them to instantly deliver, like seasoned PL pros, is doesn’t help them or the club.
In recent times, Aleks Kolarov got the treatment, so did Javi Garcia, now it’s Mangala and Jovetic too? Some notable exceptions amongst these are Fernandinho and Nastasic; but their wobbles came later. Fernie is an exceptional player who is fast regaining the performance levels of last season; Nasty an unlucky player who will soon be leaving us.
To descrive Stevan Jovetic as ‘dreadful’ is way OTT Glenn. The lad has had an injury hit start to his City career and is finding his feet in a league that has much more pace and much less space than he is accustomed to. He has to contend with doing this in a situation where he is not first choice in any position and doesn’t get a run of starts. He has enormous talent but has to learn to respect and protect possession of the ball more because against the best you give the ball away and don’t get it back any time soon. He needs to do this by curbing his over-ambitious innovation without sacrificing his creativity and vision.He really does have the qualities to be as important as players like Silva, Yaya and Samir Nasri.
RE Mangala, I said whilst watching, if he had managed to stay on his feet and just put his foot on the ball it would of been fine as would of just looked like good strength, but unfortunately he fell into the man and never touched the ball, get him bigger boots!
Think he is very similar to Kompany with trying to push the striker to win the ball early and nip in front, so one of them needs to read the other and drop back otherwise we can get caught out but that will only come with time!
Mangala’s decision was the right one to bring down Shane Long. With 15 minutes to go and 1 – 0 up, had Saint scored, they would have most likely edged the game. Mangala took one for the team and he had a good game. If you recall we lost to Stoke in a similar counter attack situation because Kolarov did not bring the player down (not to blame him as it is very difficult to make snap decisions in those moments).
Hart is far from his commanding self this season. He needs to be given specific instructions about kicking the ball. “DON’T”.
‘We have possession with the ball in your hands Joe. If you kick the ball to re-start play:-
* there is a 20-30% chance it will go out of play
* a 40% chance that it will be fielded by the opposition,
* a 10% chance it will end up with one of your own players’
We want to hear you organising your defence and calling for the ball – reserve punching for Costa or Van Persie.