MAN CITY 3 – 0 West Brom – PLAYER RATINGS
22 Mar
Hart - After his heroics at the Nou Camp, he’ll have enjoyed this contrast. Barely called upon - 6
Zabaleta - Returned to the side and with West Brom content, understandably, to sit back after the red card, he was able to play as a second winger for most of the game. Always looked to break beyond the defensive line to create something - 6
Kompany - This was just the type of game he needed. With no attacking threat to face, there was no drama and he could coast through the match without problems - 6
Mangala - As with Kompany, a few more of these no-action clashes, when he can just sit back and mop up occasional loose balls, is what he needs as his lengthy settling in period continues - 6
Clichy - Retained possession well out on the left and stretched proceedings by staying out on the touchline. No defensive duties to worry about - 6
Fernando - He was arguably the player who benefited the most from the sending off, as it meant he wasn’t needed to protect the back four and could instead step forward and observe the game. Never tried anything fancy, but simple passes kept play ticking over and grabbed a goal which should do his confidence no harm - 7
Lampard - A decent performance in which his attacking instincts were clear to see, but he’ll be disappointed not to have added his name to the scoresheet. Had a couple of presentable opportunities that he would normally gobble up - 7
Navas - His width was always going to be a useful outlet after the red card, although with West Brom sitting so deep he had little space in which to use to extreme pace. Still, as is so often the case, his final ball was underwhelming - 6
Silva - The man we turned to as we tried to unlock the visitors’ defensive door and with every move revolving around Silva’s touch and vision, we were in safe hands - 7
Aguero - Desperate for a goal and worked valiantly to create an opening, but found Boaz Myhill in his way time and time again - 6
Bony - Needed to open his account for the club and did just that courtesy of a controlled finish. It was the type of clinical composure we hope to see more of in the future - 7
Subs
Jovetic - Went close with one effort - 6
Džeko - Flashed one shot wide - No time to mark
Milner - A gentle run out - No time to mark
I thought Navas was decent yesterday, he whipped in a few decent crosses and was dangerous on the counter. Glad to see Bony start and he showed why he should’ve had more game time so far in my opinion. I also think Mangala was tidy in his work and its been a while since he made a howler (touch wood). Overall a decent performance and lets hope it continues.
Navas was our MOTM. Added pace and directness to our play and for once his crossing was dangerous and it’s down to the strikers that they did not make the most of the opportunities he provided. Mangala had a good battle with Berahino and showed decent quality winning the ball back on several occasions. I’d have left Bony and Lampard on for the full game and subbed Aguero and Silva. Decent performance in albeit fortunate circumstances.
I think VFAB got it very wrong with Navas on this occasion
Navas was great. He constant running / tracking is great. That is a sort of player you need in your midfield. To me Navas was almost as good as Silva in the game.
Ratings are always poor here I heard Fernando described exactly the same on gmr in the car on the way home, Navas is just subject of a hate campaign at the etihad and the writer has gone with that to.
Even Jovetic, went close with one effort, he and Clichy worked a number on west brom and the resulting shot made a goal, he also went more direct and caused west brom problems, another player not liked at the etihad though.
Have ton free with the above, Navas has our most assists this year and had it not been for Myhill he would of had a hatful yesterday! His low crosses seem to provide the most danger, but his ones in the air often go too lofty and go well over the strikers.
Jovetic is awesome whenever he comes on, the one player who is never afraid t have a shot, may not all go in or be on target but creates a very different thing to defend when teams are sitting back.
Bony looked solid and looks to be settling in now.
Aguero gave 100000% and deserved two or three goals but was very very unlucky to hit the post and have point blank chances save by Myhill over and over!
Mangala was impressive, and has ben for a while now, can’t remember the last mistake he made, just unfortunate we have to drop Demi at all!
Overall even if it was an easy game in the end, still think there were a lot of positives, and Chelsea will still drop points, maybe not enough to win the league but hopefully enough that we can get very close and make a competition of it!