The Top Flight
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Manchester City: How Players Rated vs. Tottenham Hotspur

By Ben Clarke

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Man City 4 (Aguero [4]) – Tottenham Hotspur 1 (Soldado)

I think both sets of fans can agree that yesterday’s game was an entertaining one. Although Tottenham fans will feel some grievance in the awarding of the first penalty, both Manchester City and Tottenham played some brilliant football. Ultimately, it could be said that the best team prevailed, thanks to a few lapses in Tottenham’s judgement, and a whole lot of individual brilliance from a certain Argentinian (and unfortunately, it was not Martin Demichelis).

DEFENCE:

Joe Hart: 9 – One of his best performances in a City shirt since the fateful 2011/2012 season, rivalled only by his pretty great work in goal against Bayern Munich. The keeper did a fine job of making himself bigger to deny Mason early on, he also pulled off a pretty aesthetically pleasing save with his legs from a Soldado first-time effort. His penalty save from the Spaniard  will be in the papers, and rightly so, as I felt it was justice served when Soldado’s dive was made redundant. Poor Demichelis though.

Capping off a brilliant display with a penalty save, Joe Hart further cemented his position as City No.1.

Bacary Sagna: 6 – Decent at the back, but with Pablo Zabaleta for so long playing at right back, Sagna’s attacking leaves much to be desired. Sagna and Navas often got in each others’ way on the right side, slowing down Man City’s trademark quick attacking down the wings. Still a great choice as a second-place right back.

Martin Demichelis: 6 – Although he has always been good at building up attacks from the back, playing accurate passes and linking up with the midfield, sometimes Demichelis’ defensive decisions are a bit off. Demi has earned himself quite the penchant for flying into tackles, which against Spurs, left him red faced a couple of times. 

Vincent Kompany: 7 – If it weren’t for Vinnie, City’s defence would be more exposed, and their midfield wouldn’t be so well-supported. His only downfall is his over-eagerness to support the midfield’s offensive exploits. He was nearly caught out when twisting and turning in his own box, but thankfully, he was let off. Apart from that and a few rash challenges, he was pretty solid.

Gael Clichy: 7 – Despite my preference for Aleksandar Kolarov, Clichy’s still pretty solid in the back four. His crossing isn’t up to Kolarov’s standard either. Fortunately, the Frenchman prefers to pass the ball to the edge of the box and build up an attack that way.

Although they didn’t collectively have the best game, City’s defence will have been happy to keep out Spurs for long periods of an eventful rollercoaster match.

MIDFIELD:

Frank Lampard: 6 – Didn’t have the opportunity to really assert his authority on the game due to being stretchered off with a thigh injury, but early on, he was on course to really help City out in one of the big games he has played in so often.

Fernando: 5 – Was the benefactor of an easy Spurs goal; unaware of the danger around him, he gifted the ball to Roberto Soldado. He rightly deserves any criticism that should come his way; and although he was a bit better when Fernandinho came on, he was still a little uncertain on the ball, which is a far cry from the consistent solidity he exhibited in his first few games.

Jesus Navas: 7 – So often can create space on the wing all by himself, but I can’t help but feel that his final ball lacks variety. His crosses so often kiss the area just ahead of the keeper, I think that balls could be better utilized when pulled back. No matter how his final ball is, it’s obvious that he causes tons of problems for full backs.

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David Silva: 6 – In a game where City scored four, you’d put your house on David Silva playing a big part. On Saturday however, very surprisingly, Silva’s final ball lacked. He did well to spread the play, but when threading the ball into Aguero, he didn’t quite pull it off. A few glimpses of brilliance teased the fans, but when he put himself near goal, his reluctance to shoot was frustrating.

James Milner: 8 – Milner is quickly changing from a forgotten substitute to a regular starter for one of the best teams in the league, due especially to his consistency and versatility which saw him play out left this week. One of his main assets is his strength, he regularly bullied the Spurs’ midfield and defense into mistakes.

ATTACK:

Sergio Aguero: 10 – Say what you will about his missed penalty, but in my eyes, the plucky Argentinian thoroughly deserved a perfect rating. Not only did he make Younes Kaboul look like a Sunday leaguer with a heavy hangover on more than one occasion, but he single-handedly pulled Man City through the game when Spurs threatened to ruin the party. If this game didn’t display why Aguero is the best finisher in the league, I don’t know what will.

The match ball won’t be the best prize Aguero brought home on Saturday – he’s now Premier League joint top scorer.

SUBS:

Fernandinho: 5 – Fernandinho didn’t look quite ready to come on when Lampard’s injury forced a substitution, yet he did his best to keep up. He — like Kompany at times  — seemed reluctant to simply clear the ball when needed, and like his midfield partner, he was also caught in possession a couple of times to differing effects.

Yaya Toure: 6 – I’m not sure whether it was because he only played around ten minutes, but he looked smoother and more confident than he was before the Villa game. Once or twice got close to goal but wasn’t quite in an attacking or exciting mood.

Stevan Jovetic: 6 – Only contributed a few neat flicks and an ambitious attempt or two in his short run out, but it was nice to see the Montenegran back in the squad.

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