By Dave Langton
Fabianski – Did nothing wrong but picked up an early injury and was replaced by Areola. 6
Coufal – Limited in what he could do in terms of going forward but when he did get into the final third, he crossed well. Struggled against Grealish. 5
Gave away a penalty for the opening ooal
Johnson – Stood up to City well in the first half and looked reasonably at home in central defence. Always looks composed but this was a tough afternoon. 6
Zouma – A few difficult moments in possession and was caught out by De Bruyne’s pass for Haaland’s second goal. 5
Cresswell – Did the basics well and forced Foden inside often. Was rarely beaten by the England man. 6
Rice – Anonymous in difficult first half and although better in the second was nowhere near De Bruyne when he sent Haaland rampaging through for the second. Grew into it but a tough day. 6
Soucek – Often pressed into the latter third but struggled to really impact the play. 4
Bowen – Lively on the right and won a promising free-kick before half-time, only to waste the delivery. 5
Lanzini – Played off the left and was guilty of not tracking back, leaving Cresswell exposed. 4
Fornals – Roundly anonymous. 3
Antonio – Had an early chance with a presentable header but missed. Seemed to tweak something when landing after contesting a header. Went off on 55 mins – nowhere near his best. 5
Subs
Areola – Tripped Haaland, giving away a penalty, and went the wrong way as the City striker scored it. Well beaten by Haaland’s second too. 4
Scamacca – On in the 55th minute. Forced a good save from Ederson with a powerful but offside. Showed one or two encouraging touches 5
Benrahma – Came on with Scamacca. Had a tame shot easily saved by Ederson. 5
No doubt City easily best team. But they squeeze the life out of a game by just passing ball around endlessly. Boring for spectators!
Just a continuation of the back end of last season stale,stale ,what on earth is happening in this and previous transfer windows it was said bigger crowds ,European football, result better players, it always seems and has been a false dawn with this club, I’ve seen it for fifty plus years
I think your generous with the ratings I’ve said all along areola isn’t great that was a terrible goalkeeper error the second goal zouma got his back to him Johnson nowhere near him a ball straight through the middle of our defence ? You keep gowngrading soucek if he’s given instructions to not go past the half way line what do you expect look at how Fulham forest closed teams down look at how man City closed us down dithering dave is out of touch put scamaca on with Antonio try it ffks we had no out ball all game
All you stupid people that have been going on and on about How Fabianski should be dropped And Areola should be first choice.
Shows just how little you know about football. You are embarrassing.