It is not even Christmas but Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City may have half written their name on the Premier League title as they put in yet another supreme performance at home, this time against Tottenham Hotspur, to steal three more points, and take their 16th consecutive win this season.
Ilkay Gundogan opened the scoring for the hosts after he was left unmarked six yards from goal, from a corner. That was the only goal that separated the sides going into the break and though Spurs came out positively after the break, Kevin de Bruyne and Raheem Sterling put the game to bed, as they ran away 4-1 winners. Gabriel Jesus also missed a penalty, which did not matter even as Eriksen found the back of the net late in the game and here are the player ratings for the Citizens in this tie:
Manchester City Players Rated and Slated
Ederson Moares (7):
Excellent with his distribution and handling all night and had just one serious save to make, but was unlucky not to keep yet another clean sheet.
Kyle Walker (6):
Dealt well with the minimum threat that Spurs posed on the night and was ever ready to take on his man in attack, in a confident performance from the former Spurs man.
Eliaquim Mangala (7):
Stuck to his task well, as he kept the likes of Kane quite and never gave the visitors a sniff near the goal.
Nicolas Otamendi (6):
Lucky to not see a red for the boot he left on Harry Kane’s face but was solid at the back for the most game as Spurs failed to test the City backline.
Fabian Delph (6):
Stuck to his task well at both ends of the field, giving the visitors no space down the flank and recycling possession at the other end.
Fernandinho (6):
Did not have much to do as Spurs failed to string passes together in the midfield. Was quick to win the ball back and frustrated the likes of Dembele and Eriksen all night.
Ilkay Gundogan (8):
Scored his first goal, a tap-in, after more than a year and played a sumptuous ball in for Sterling’s first on a productive night for the German.
Kevin de Bruyne (9):
The man of the match yet again for City, de Bruyne had a quiet start to the game but found the back of the net, picked up an assist and was all over Spurs, winning the game in style.
Raheem Sterling (6):
Missed a couple of decent chances before getting the brace, the easiest of ones and failed to get the better of Rose on the flank.
Sergio Aguero (6):
Had a couple of decent attempts on goal but did not do enough to beat Lloris all night before being subbed off at the hour mark.
Leroy Sane (8):
Tormented Trippier all nigh as his pace and technique were too hot to handle for the visitors. Played a role in most goals, picking up the assist for Sterling’s first. Easily one of the best wingers in the league at the moment.
Substitutes:
Gabriel Jesus (7):
Almost scored with his first touch and created a couple of chances late in the game. Missed a penalty but did well to replace the creativity of Aguero.
Phil Foden (N/A)
Bernardo Silva (N/A)
