MAN CITY 2 – 0 Birmingham – PLAYER RATINGS
22 Sep
Pantilimon - A nervous start from the giant ‘keeper. Made one good stop but flapped at a couple of crosses and fumbled a shot. Nice for him to get a game but will have to improve if he wants another chance - 5.5
Onuoha - Nice to see him return after what seems like an age since he last played in a City shirt. Strong in the tackle and managed to get forward frequently although, as a centre-back by trade, he understandably didn’t have the end product - 6.5
Savic - Hugely impressive. Yes, Birmingham didn’t pose a great attacking threat, but Savic dealt with everything comfortably. Won all his headers, showed a good turn of pace at times and oozes confidence on the ball - 7.5
K. Touré - Relatively easy return for Kolo, who must just have been pleased to get on the pitch again. Positional play good and cleared one effort off the line. Should have scored with his chance in the second half after Tévez’s shot was parried - 7
Kolarov - One of his better games. Good assist for Balotelli’s goal although his crossing overall was poor. Tried to put the ball across with too much pace so doesn’t give the strikers enough time to react. Defensively fine - 7
Zabaleta - A man for every position! Played further forward than we normally see and gave a decent account of himself. Like Onuoha, lacked the end product when he got into threatening positions - 6.5
Hargreaves - The man of the moment. His target would have been to play 45 minutes, slip under the radar and go off. In the end, he managed 57 minutes, scored a goal and was voted man of the match. Controlled the midfield in the first half, was always available to receive the ball and won his tackles. If he can stay fit, we’ve got a player on our hands - 7.5
Razak - More than competent debut. Started very brightly and possibly got over-excited, as Mancini could be seen to be telling him to calm down. If I’m being critical, he needs to look forward with his passing instead of giving it to the defenders a lot, but he did well and will surely have enjoyed the experience - 7
Bridge - Surprising to see him named on the teamsheet instead of a younger, more enthusiastic player and Bridge did nothing to convince Mancini that he’s worthy of a regular place. Competent enough but with limited effect - 6
Balotelli - A much more rounded and mature performance than we’re used to seeing from Mario. Apologised for a couple of slightly late tackles and worked hard on occasions when he lost the ball. With it, he’s different class. Great bursts of pace, accurate shooting and a lovely finish. Outshone Tévez - 7
Tévez - Tried hard and was clearly looking to impress, but end product wasn’t there. Link up play with Balotelli was off and he should have buried his chance in the second half. Low on confidence - 6
Subs
Milner - A gentle half an hour for Milner. Didn’t impact the game a great but we were coasting when he came on - 6
Rekik - Impressive cameo from the 16 year old. Even in his brief appearance, he look comfortable on the ball, strong in the tackle and won a couple of headers. One to watch - No time to mark
Scapuzzi - Another one to make his debut. Only given five minutes and he didn’t really do anything - No time to mark
disagree with the comment about kolarovs crossing. its up to the strikers to get in to the positions. full back done what was necessary. kola’s probably got the best cross in the league for me. still doesnt make up for his lathargic and often lazy play sometimes.
Just feel he tries to cross too early, and with the pace he puts on his crosses, leaves the forwards with no chance to get on the end of them.
i suppose with the system we play, his quality of crossing isn’t appreciated (not a traditional english style of play unlike the rags). i think there was one instance in the second half which i completely agree with, where he blazed it across the box.
bit gutted to not see assulin get a run out. razak superb for his first game. no doubt he’ll become more forward thinking with confidence.
Tevez need to learn how to link up with other players. He is very greedy on the ball. This might have been okay last season as he was carrying the team on most part but things are different now and he needs to adapt.
Razak was impressive, strong and solid and I do not see why he can not get more games with current team and get nurtured by our squad as opposed to being shipped out to another club to this for us.
Promising Youngsters, Boyata, Razak, Savic. Things look bright.
add assulin, bunn, guidetti, henshall, suarez, roman, rekik to that list and future looks even brighter.
Spot on yet again although perhaps a bit, understanbly, kind to Razak. I hope he was playing to instructions otherwise we have a youngster who passes backwards and sideways more than De Yong and thats saying an awful lot. He didn’t do a lot wrong, but floating in and in front of a back four that faced only one Birmingham forward I think I’d have had a decent game too – and I was watching from my wheelchair!
Savic was excellent, I disagreed with radio commentator who said ‘why spend all that money on Savic when City have Onuoha on the books.’
I have always liked Nedum, he’s a City boy, but the comparison does him no favours; Savic is technically accomplished, comfortale on the ball and made a mug of Zigic in the aerial contest and the guy should have dwarfed him.
Aleks K had ANOTHER very good game VFAB, he’s a quality player, great left peg, crosses early and this ability is deadly when the right players get used to his play and get on the end of these (Aguero).