Blackburn 0 – 4 MAN CITY – PLAYER RATINGS
2 Oct
Hart - Not called into action a great deal, but produced a couple of fantastic punches in the first half under pressure. One flying save at the end - 7
Zabaleta - Hoilett caused him problems with his pace and trickery. Rightly deserved a booking for diving and wasn’t quite at the races, something which is happening worryingly often this season - 6
Kompany - After the movement and pace of Bayern, will have pleased to come up against Yakubu. Not tested frequently, but was commanding and assured - 7
Lescott - Continued his impressive start to the season with another confident display, which makes it all the more baffling why he was dropped for the Bayern game - 7
Kolarov - A few crosses were overhit and some of his shooting was wayward to say the least. However, linked well with Nasri and gave us an extra option down the left. Unchallenged defensively - 6.5
Milner - Bags of energy and intent in midfield, making one superb last-ditch tackle to deny Yakubu. Covers the ground with ease and was always looking to move forward with the ball, something that can’t be said for many of his teammates - 7.5
Y. Touré - Blackburn were so poor that he didn’t have to exert himself at all in the middle of the park. He was the only player in the first half to have time and space on the ball, but he was laboured and contributed hugely to our slow tempo. Needed more urgency, intent and ambition in his passing - 6
A. Johnson - His superb goal couldn’t have been more out of keeping with what was yet again a very disappointing performance. Given a chance to start, he unsurprisingly had little impact and was on the verge of being replaced when he scored. A crucial goal, yes, but we need to see far more from him - 5.5
Silva - In the first half especially, his touch was missing and although he was busy, the throughballs and flicks weren’t coming off. Improved after the break but needs a rest - 6.5
Balotelli - My man of the match. In his past two games and one brief substitute appearance, he’s scored three goals and looks a more mature, composed player. Got into the right positions on numerous occasions and could easily have had a hat-trick. More of the same please, Mario! - 8
Aguero - Groin injury meant he was substituted early. Hadn’t really got into the game by the time he went off - No mark
Subs
Nasri - Impressive in the second half with the way in which he upped the ante, linked up well with Kolarov and gave us added impetus in the final third - 7
Savic - Good move by Mancini to bring him on when we were 3-0 up and coasting. More experience for the defender and scored a bullet header - 7
Džeko - Brought on to replace Balotelli so as to allow the Italian his own reception - No time to mark
I love savic….. Hes such a funny lad
Nasri at least 8, he was man of the match for shoure
Got the ratings spot on I think. AJ once again with a crucial goal to mask an un-impressive performance.
Find myself agreeing with you pretty much throughout. I thought Jonners was pretty poor, he either lacks concentration or is lazy, he has bags of talent and ability but only shows it in patches. Great finish though.
I believe it is about time Milner be moved ahead of Barry for selection. I could not help noticing his energy and speed to track back to deny Yakubu when he lost the ball. This was exactly the same situation when Barry lost the ball against Napoli and he was outpaced and no where to be found before they scored.
This is by no means to say Barry is not a player of quality but a statement to say he should not be played two games per week.
As for Yaya, I think he did his job well in his defensive role yesterday. Expecting a 6.4 tower to have the agility and speed of Bellamy or Silva is unrealistic and defies the laws of physics. The ratings for him in the forum is predisposed in the majority of cases.
Just an additional link to show you how wrong you often are about YYT.
http://www.bitterandblue.com/2011/10/3/2466569/blackburn-0-4-manchester-city-4-stat-hit
Yaya has had better days sure, he didn’t do any of those trademark devestating runs, but he glued it all together.
Alph