Manchester City 3 Chelsea 1: City player ratings as Manchester City show they do still have it

Manchester City 3 (Josko Gvardiol 42′, Erling Haaland 68′, Phil Foden 87′)

Chelsea 1 (Noni Madueke 2′)

Here are the City player ratings as Manchester City picked up a crucial 3-1 win over Chelsea. In the battle for a top-four finish, today’s result could be crucial, and it was Manchester City’s most complete performance for some time. When the starting lineups were announced, there were debuts for Abdukodir Khusanov and Omar Marmoush, and they both showed what they are made of during the time they were on the pitch.

First half

Before the game kicked off there was a beautiful and fitting tribute observed for Tony Book and Dennis Law. It was a special moment ahead of what promised to be an entertaining affair.

After a lively start that saw an early chance for Omar Marmoush chalked off for offside Abdukodir Khusanov made a horror start to his Manchester City career. His poor header back to Ederson was intercepted by Nicolas Jackson, and he played a simple ball to Noni Madueke, who tapped in to give Chelsea the lead. In terms of horror starts in a Manchester City debut Khusanov had made one.

After both teams had chances in a hectic passage of play, Phil Foden smacked the post in the 10th minute. It was a typical Foden strike and the match appeared to be one that would be an open affair. Who that favoured remained to be seen.

In the 25th minute, a spell of Manchester City pressure resulted in a golden opportunity for Josko Gvardiol. But the Croatian international fired over from the edge of the six-yard box after a neat City move. But after a nervy opening, Pep Guardiola’s side was growing into the game.

Josko Gvardiol again put a good chance just wide in the 40th minute. After being played in by Mateo Kovacic his clever finish just went wide of the post. But Manchester City were the dominant side on the balance of play.

In the 42nd minute, Manchester City would deservedly draw level. A simple long ball played in Matheus Nunes. Marc Cucurella’s clearance hit Robert Sanchez and fell into the path of Josko Gvardiol. Gvardiol tapped into an empty net to equalise. It was no less than City deserved on the balance of play.

After a Noni Madueke strike went just after bar the halftime whistle blew. Manchester City had been the better team on the balance of play after a nervy opening. There was all to play for in the second half.

Second half

The second half began similarly to the first. Erling Haaland saw a chance well saved by Robert Sanchez after a simple ball over the top played City’s number 9 in. But you did get the sense that the ball over the top to Haaland could decide the game.

After a lull in proceedings, Omar Marmoush fired over the bar in the 67th minute after a long ball played in Haaland. Haaland set up Marmoush who blazed over the bar.

A minute later Erling Haaland would give Manchester City the lead. A simple long ball by Ederson played in Haaland who expertly dinked the ball over the stranded Robert Sanchez to give City the lead. That goal had been coming and the way it was scored was obvious to see coming over the course of the game.

In the 87th minute, Phil Foden would put the game to bed. A long ball from Ederson was nodded on by Kevin De Bruyne to Erling Haaland. Haaland’s hold up play set up Foden who had all the time in the world to put the game to bed. He did exactly that with a comfortable finish. It was a simple goal and a sublime one at the same time.

Following Foden’s goal the game played out without any major incident. But come the final whistle everything Pep Guardiola said pre game was proven correct. Today’s victory for Manchester City was huge and showed they are more than capable of playing the way their manager demands.

Summary

The City player ratings reflect City’s dominance after a nervy opening. Manchester City have another massive fixture coming up against Club Brugge and they should enter the game full of confidence after today’s performance.

City player ratings

Ederson-7.5/10: He had little to do in goal but his play in possession was superb.

Matheus Nunes- 8/10: His best game for Manchester City. Was a threat going forward and did his job defensively.

Abdukodir Khusanov-5/10: Made a horror start to his City debut but to his credit he responded well to the early set back. He showed plenty after that and there is a lot to work with for Manchester City in Khusanov.

Manuel Akanji-6.5/10: Akanji had a poor first half but made amends for that in the second half.

Josko Gvardiol-8.5/10: His best performance for months. Scored one, could have had a hat trick, and defended well.

Mateo Kovacic-6/10: He wasn’t poor but he did struggle at times.

Ilkay Gundogan- 8.5/10: Gundogan was brilliant. He dictated the pace of the game and showed just how important he is to Pep Guardiola’s side.

Bernardo Silva-10/10: Bernardo was brilliant. He gets a 10 for his leadership after Abdukodir Khusanov struggled early and he took it upon himself to guide the young defender through a rough patch. That’s leadership and Bernardo deserves the highest praise for that and his performance over the 90 minutes.

Omar Marmoush-7.5/10: A superb debut from Marmoush. He had a goal chalked off for offside but his movement and workrate was superb. Manchester City have signed a beauty in Marmoush.

Phil Foden-8/10: Grabbed his goal and never stopped trying all game.

Erling Haaland-8.5/10: Scored one and set up Foden’s sealer with a brilliant piece of play.

Substitutes

John Stones-7.5/10: Came on for Khusanov and steadied the ship for City at the back.

Kevin De Bruyne-7/10:  It was De Bruyne’s header that set up City’s third goal of the evening. Put himself about and did it well when he came on.