Manchester City are running away with the Premier League title but their pride got a massive hit last week when Liverpool defeat them 4-3 to end their ‘invincible’ dreams. The Citizens, however, had an elementary encounter at Etihad this evening when they hosted struggling Newcastle United and were looking to register a thumping win to return to the winning ways. Rafael Benitez, the Magpies boss, opted to sit deep and wait for the moment to counter. He, however, failed to execute his plan and returned empty-handed following a 3-1 defeat courtesy a Sergio Aguero masterclass who bagged a hat-trick.
Below are the Manchester City players rated from their routine win against Newcastle United.
Ederson Moraes: 6.5
Wasn’t troubled all evening but could have done little to stop Jacob Murphy’s lovely finish as the City defence got horribly exposed at the break. Made a smart stop towards the end to deny Jonjo Shelvey’s effort.
Kyle Walker: 7.5
Walker mostly spent his time in Newcastle’s half and made timely runs and crosses from the right-hand flank.
John Stones: 7
Stones could have opened the scoresheet early in the game but his header went just wide off the post. Was untested all evening after a difficult Anfield outing but should have done a lot better in Newcastle’s goal as the Citizens’ got exposed defensively on the break.
Nicolas Otamendi: 6.5
Mostly untested but was out of his position when the Magpies pulled one back in the second-half.
Oleksandr Zinchenko: 7.5
The young Ukranian started the game in a makeshift left-back role in place of injured Fabian Delph and impressed with his relentless runs, link-up play with Leroy Sane and touch of class while going forward.
Fernandinho: 7.5
The Brazilian helped his side to control the game from a deeper midfield role as he kept on switching it on the flanks using the width of the pitch. His passing was impressive and never let the visitors settle in the middle of the park.
Kevin De Bruyne: 8.5
Kept on switching his position, built up plenty of attacking movements, set up Aguero for his opener and was denied by Darlow in the first-half. Got dispossessed a few times but impressed with his work rate once again.
David Silva: 8
Silva played over 100 passes this evening and maintained more than 90% of accuracy. He dictated the game and ran the show from the middle of the park.
Raheem Sterling: 8
Was often troubling the Magpies defence with his speed, tricky runs and cut inside. Was fouled inside the box by his former Liverpool teammate Manquillo and Sergio Aguero made no mistake to convert the spot-kick. Was replaced by Bernardo Silva late in the game.
Leroy Sane: 8.5
Same did a commanding job down the left-hand flank as he kept the Newcastle defence on toes. Assisted Aguero to score his third thus completing a hat-trick in this routine triumph. Youngster Brahim Diaz replaced him for final few minutes.
Sergio Aguero: 10
Aguero could not guide his side to have a result at Anfield but came back stronger at Etihad and scored a hat-trick to clinch a comprehensive win for his side.
Substitutes
Bernardo Silva: NA
Played too little to warrant a rating.
Brahim Diaz: NA
Played too little to warrant a rating.
