MAN CITY 2 – 0 Everton – PLAYER RATINGS
25 Sep
Hart - Didn’t have a great deal to do, but a couple of weak(ish) punches when Everton put the ball in the box. Distribution much better than usual - 6.5
Richards - A strong performance from Micah. Although Baines got forward frequently, he didn’t do a great deal with the ball as Richards worked hard to stop the crosses coming into the box. Not as productive in attack as usual but did his main job, defending, well - 7.5
Kompany - With Cahill the only moderate threat, he was left with no-one to mark for large periods. Brought the ball out from defence frequently and used it well. Good in the air - 7.5
Lescott – My man of the match. Booed every time he touched the ball by the Everton fans, but he showed them just what they are missing with a superb display. Powerful in the air against Fellaini and Cahill. Read the game well - 8
Clichy - Kept up his impressive form with another energetic and solid showing. Allowed Coleman no joy down our left and got forward to support Nasri very often - 8
Barry - Another one to have a good game and continue his rich vein of form. Always available to receive the ball, used his body well to win a couple of freekicks and picked up the pieces in midfield - 8
Y. Touré - Disappointing again from Yaya. Improved in the second half but was a total passenger in the first. Offered no protective shield or offensive threat until after the break. One sublime piece of control and one accurate shot apart, underwhelming. When De Jong returns, his place could be up for grabs - 6
Nasri - With Silva man-marked, it meant the creative onus passed on to Samir and he was far improved form the past couple of games. Always looking to get involved and although he couldn’t find a way through at first, he kept plugging away. Not man of the match, as the PA announced, but a promising performance - 7.5
Silva – Everton’s tactics, although thuggish and vile, worked for the most part. Had very little impact, other than to get Rodwell and Neville in the book during the first half, but once we scored and they had to push on, he became the star. Allowed more space, he looked dangerous. Sublime throughball for Milner’s goal - 7
Aguero - Involved but not the end product he would desire. Couple of wayward shots but delightful lay-off for Balotelli’s goal. Sign of his quality that even if he’s not at his best, can still create something out of nothing - 7
Džeko - Not his greatest day. First touch was heavy and thus couldn’t bring others into play. Oddly looked short of confidence. With Balotelli suspended against Bayern Munich, he’ll get another chance but must offer more to the team - 6
Subs
Balotelli - My hero for a reason! His introduction changed the game. Offered a different threat to Dzeko which unsettled the Everton defence. Found space which all our other attackers hadn’t and used the ball well. Superb goal - 7.5
Milner - Gave us added energy and bite in midfield. Took his goal well under pressure to seal the victory. Might start against Bayern - 7
Savic - Although a brief appearance, a very solid and impressive one! Stunning clearance off the line, won a couple of crunching challenges and unbeatable in the air - 7
Dzeko struggled because of the lack of speed of the counter attack, Everton had 5 players around him and when he recieved the ball there was noone around him to move forward, when he had space he played well, as he has shown on many occassions this season. He is’nt Lionel Messi; he ca’nt dribble past an entire defence and is a target man. Pleased for Ballotelli,hopefully his embrace with the manager was’nt because he wanted more gametime cause if it was it was cheap and disrespectful to the players fighting for his spots.
A shame about your closing comment Martin.
Quite unnecessary.
u sed they had no proper striker so hows lescott mom? Overratings again i think sooooo
Almost one fatal goof per game is Lescott trademark. The Ball cleared by off the line by Savic was due to Lescott failure to deal with the ball properly. And as usual he is overrated.
Apart from that,Eventon parked the bus and defended with all their players before this game I did not know Cahill plays as CB as well! With the game as tight as this one, City pulled it off really good.Credit to Mancini for his tactical change and awareness.
MoM for me was Barry.
Unsung hero.