Man City 6 v Man United 1
Player Ratings 10/23/11
Man City
Joe Hart 6 – He saved what came at him and could do nothing with Fletchers wonder strike.
Micah Richards 8 – Dominated his matchup against supposedly the best LB in the world. His speed, quickness, and sheer power make him unstoppable to handle when in attack, and impossible to beat when in defense. A couple years ago, he became a very good young RB. Last year, he became the best English RB. This year, he is becoming the best RB in the entire Premier League. Next year- the best RB in the whole world? Sorry Alves you better watch your back.
Joleon Lescott 6.5 – Intelligent and decisive defending from the English international. With the way he has been playing this year it looks like the elder Toure will find it extremely difficult to find time on the pitch.
Vincent Kompany 7 – Rock solid as always. He has become such a good defender 1 on 1 that opposing players barely even try to take him on anymore. Rooney tried once or twice but was as unsuccessful as every other player before him this year.
Gael Clichy 7 - Another City defender that had an excellent game. His crossing is still poor but to neutralize Nani for the entire game is something very few players have been able to do in the last couple years. It looks like him and Kolarav will be switching off at the LB position depending on the opposing teams RW and tactics.
James Milner 8.5- His best game since his controversial switch from Aston Villa last year. He worked his socks off like usual and was extremely intelligent in possession from start to finish. His two assists showed the class he possesses and with Nasri’s weak showings in the past month, I would not be surprised if Milner starts over him in their vital away game at Villareal coming up next week.
Garreth Barry 6.5 – Did what was asked from him and was solid all the way around. He never wasted position and protected the back four brilliantly.
Yaya Toure 6.5 – Similar to his CM counterpart, he did what he needed to do and made the game easier for his teammates. Got better as the game went on.
David Silva 9 – He is simply unstoppable when on this form. His class oozes in every touch and seems a step ahead of every other player on the pitch. He fully deserved his goal and his ball to Dzeko for City’s final goal was from the heavens.
Mario Balotelli 8.5 – In one week, he has gone from the insane manchild who burns his house down to Man City legend. (ok maybe he is still insane but w/ performances like this who cares?) His first strike was perfection and his touch, speed, and strength forced Evan’s red card altered the game dramatically. Why always me?
Sergio Aguero 7.5 – He makes the game look so easy and for an attacker his work rate is second to none (ehmmm Tevez where are you?). His quality and speed on the counter was constantly on show and his simple finish for City’s third was never in doubt.
Subs
Edin Dzeko 7.5- He came on in the 70nth minute and scored two goals and set up a third. Normally, there is not much else you can say besides that but this game was a little different. He missed two other glorious chances and it looks like he will be riding the bench behind Ballotelli for City’s next big matches.
Nasri/Kolarav- NA
Man United
David Da Gea 5.5- For letting up six goals at home, he did not have a bad game. He had no chance on City’s first four goals but he could have saved the last two. He had a couple good saves that kept the score line from being even worse.
Chris Smalling 5- Was slightly at fault for City’s second goal but didn’t really put a foot wrong anytime else. He seemed outnumbered throughout and he couldn’t do anything in the 2nd when City were running rampant.
Rio Ferdinand 5- Simply put, he is getting old. He didn’t have a bad game by any stretch but it is becoming painfully obvious that with the pace he lacks, he is now just a pretty good CD. He needs his colossal defensive partner back and soon. It is worth noting that before Evan’s red card, he looked very solid and assured.
Jonny Evans 2.5- Oo how I would hate to be in his shoes right now. Due to Sir Alex deciding Vidic wasn’t fit enough to start such an important match, Evans was put into the fire, and he simply couldn’t handle the heat. With little pace, intelligence, and strength, he is not good enough to play against the top teams and it showed today. Balotelli beat him way too easily and his tug which forced his sending off was one of the easiest red cards calls a ref will see all year.
Evra 4- A bad week for the mercurial Frenchman. He alleges racist claims towards Suarez and then gets dominated by Richards. His positioning was once again weak and his usual bombarding runs forward were thwarted from start to finish. His throne of best LB in the world is officially over and until he gets his head straight, Abidal should be starting over him for the French national team.
Nani 4.5- Showed a few glimpses of his quality but had an unusually quiet game today. He never seemed to get the ball in a dangerous position to take his man 1 on 1 and should not have been surprised in being substituted off midway through the 2nd.
Fletcher 5- Yes his goal was sensational and maybe his best ever but what else did he offer? The answer is nothing. He couldn’t protect his back four, didn’t offer any decisive passes, and had less energy than usual. Since his sickness from months back, he hasn’t been the same player.
Anderson 4.0- He was lucky not to have been sent off and to have not given up a penalty. He couldn’t handle Silva in defense and didn’t offer much in attack. With Scholes retired, Cleverley injured, and Carrick/Fletcher not getting any better, he must step up for Man U to win the title. If he doesn’t, then Man U are going to have serious issues in the center of the park against the top teams.
Young 5.5- Had a very bright start where it looked like every time he touched the ball something good would happen. However, after the first 20 minutes, Richards had the best of him and Evra, and he couldn’t improvise anything of importance. Yes he possesses the skill to win a match all on his own, but his lack of upper body strength makes him pretty useless against a strong RB.
Rooney/ Welbeck 5.5- I put them both together because they essentially had the same game. They both worked their tails off and showed glimpses of their skills, but they were starved of the ball in dangerous positions and couldn’t create any real dangerous attacking threat.
Subs
Jones 5- Slotted in as RB and couldn’t do anything to stop the rampant City side.
Chicarito 5.5- Nice setup for Fletcher’s wonder strike. Should be starting again by the next match.
Ref 8- Had total control over the game and got the most important decision, the Evan’s red outside the box, correct. Could have given a penalty to City when Anderson clashed into Richards in the box but you very rarely see those types of penalties given.
Old Trafford Fans 3- After City scored their first goal, it seemed to take the life out of the United fans. I have never seen the Theatre of Dreams so quiet for such a big occasion and it was fairly obvious that the United fans are not used to being second best. Extremely disappointed in their presence today but hey at least they’re not racist.
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