Stoke 1 – 4 MAN CITY – PLAYER RATINGS
11 Feb
Hart - Handling in the first half was iffy, fumbling a couple of shots and relying on Stoke’s wayward finishing to bail him out. Improved markedly in that regard after the break, showing authority and presence in his box - 6
Zabaleta - Given a tough night’s work by the tricky Moses, whose ability to turn Zabaleta inside out at ease was reminiscent of Eden Hazard over the past couple of years - 5
Kompany - Ruffled at times before the interval, but nothing too strenuous for the captain. Confident on the ball and generally handled the threat of Crouch well - 6
Mangala - Again, as so often has been the case this season, looked vulnerable whenever any pressure was exerted on him. Awkward and lacking in composure when in possession, he was moved around uncomfortably by Crouch and Moses - 5
Kolarov - Typically opted to shoot from ridiculous distances twice in the first half, and should have done better when through on goal in the second. Defensively, he was fine for the most part - 6
Fernando - Came into this game on the back of some very mediocre displays, but did just what he needed to. Unfussy, picked up loose balls, shielded the centre-backs and kept play simple - 6
Fernandinho - There were signs at Stamford Bridge that he was ready to burst into life this season and this was another vibrant, superbly energetic performance. His decision making wasn’t always great in the final third, but the constant bursts forward were Fernandinho at his dynamic best - 7
Milner - More thoroughly deserved praise will come flooding in his direction after this. Operating as a striker when we had the ball and as a winger when we didn’t, he was everywhere. Always creating angles and providing an option, and capped off his night with a perfect run and guided header - 8
Nasri - On the periphery in the first half, but just when we needed someone to inject a little purpose into our play, Nasri was the man. Gorgeous interplay with Silva to create Milner’s goal, and then his own strike highlighted what he can do when he runs at defenders - 8
Silva - On a night when our attackers clicked for the first time in a while, it was no surprise that he was at the heart of everything, knitting moves together. Dragged Stoke’s defenders around to create space, then had the touch and guile to exploit those opportunities. His control of the ball when he was brought down for the penalty was simply exquisite - 8.5
Aguero - His goals over the years for City have come from all sorts of angles and distances, but if there were a classic Aguero strike, it would be something similar to his first at the Britannia: rifling home from the corner of the box with defenders backpeddling hopelessly. Great to see him back - 8
Subs
Dzeko - Missed a gilt-edged chance when through one-on-one - 6
Lampard - Found himself in a couple of decent positions, but the ball never quite reached him - No time to mark
Navas - Barely touched the ball - No time to mark
Very sweet, angry football. P.s you’re very quick with your player ratings tonight blue.
Moses gave Zabaleta a hard time, a lot of folks have failed to see the impact Navas defensive work has when he is played on our right flank. We had quite a few close calls and the game could have gone against us if Stoke could have converted those chances in the first half. It easily could have been another Hull game
Our defensive work needs to be sorted out and we have serious issue there.