West Brom 1 – 3 MAN CITY – PLAYER RATINGS
26 Dec
Hart - Got his angles spot on when Berahino was through a couple of times in the first half. After the break when conditions were atrocious, his handling and decision-making were largely excellent, save for the one blip which cost a goal - 6
Sagna - Doesn’t offer the same attacking potency as Zabaleta, but he’s just as solid defensively. Covers very well, anticipates danger and has a yard of pace - 7
Demichelis - Very solid, as we have come to expect. Marshalled the back four and remained calm even when the weather made life tricky for defenders - 7
Mangala - Some good headers and tackles, but caught out of a position occasionally when balls were played down the side of him. One moment of poor, lackadaisical chest control almost allowed the home side in - 6
Clichy - The typically energetic and lively display we have seen over the past month. Neat in possession, he knows his limitations and doesn’t try anything too fancy - 7
Fernando - Who needs strikers when your defensive midfielder can open the scoring with an overhead kick… Even aside from his acrobatic finish, this was a commanding performance. Strong in the tackle, he showed intent on the ball and an eagerness to get involved further forward - 8
Y. Touré - Neat and effective, without ever needing to reach one of his top gears. Plenty of pretty, teasing football around the box and then eased off after the break - 7
Navas - Granted the freedom of The Hawthorns before the interval, he was a menacing figure out wide on the right. A vital component for much of our attacking endeavours, he was nifty and elusive with more than enough penetration - 8
Nasri - Now playing with a smile on his face. Looks so motivated and hungry both on and off the ball, and conjured up some delicate touches as he looked to break through - 7
Silva - Watching him play, it becomes more baffling by the minute that some observers wouldn’t place him in the ‘world-class’ bracket. He’s simply delightful on the eye, twisting and turning, probing and prodding, and orchestrating our attacks. Irresistible - 9
Milner - It’s not the goals or chances that catch the eye when he plays up front, but the selfless running. So often he drags defenders out of position and moves them into wide areas to free up the likes of Silva and Nasri. It is indicative of his team ethic - 8
Subs
Kolarov - Fitted in fine on the left - 6
Fernandinho - Went through the motions - 6
Lampard - It was hard to make anyone out by the end! - 6
Can’t argue with any of that.
It was a game of one half really!
this is a team to serously watch. remember how they have taken there last two epl trophies….
Hart’s performance was outstanding. It’s not an easy task ‘to get your angles right’ if City are going to win anything Joe has to be at the top of his game
we were lucky WBA haven’t got the cutting edge some teams have, because they cut us open, at will, too many times yesterday.
Mangala will be a great player but looks nothing like the footballer who played for Porto last year.