Manchester City clashed heads with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium earlier tonight hoping to earn a victory on the road and secure a place in the EFL Cup semifinals. The Mancunian giants took the lead in the third minute courtesy of Gabriel Jesus’ headed goal. However, Alexandre Lacazette equalised for the Gunners in the 31st minute as both teams went into the half-time interval with nothing to split them.
Man City took control of the game in the second half and got their noses ahead once again via Riyad Mahrez’s goal in the 54th minute. Phil Foden killed the game off with a fine finish at the hour mark before Aymeric Laporte scored another goal to give Pep Guardiola’s side a dominant 4-1 win away at North London.
Let’s take a look at how each Man City player fared during the match against the Gunners.
GK: Zach Steffen – 6.5/10
The Man City keeper was hardly tested during the game but will be disappointed for not keeping a clean sheet. He was relatively accurate with his ball-distribution out from the back.
RB: Joao Cancelo – 8/10
Cancelo seems to be growing in confidence with each game, and he once again showed that tonight. He made some important interceptions and was a constant threat in the opposition half as well. The Portuguese full-back was always willing to make some driving runs out on the wide areas and created a few decent chances for his teammates to score.
CB: Ruben Dias – 7/10
Dias kept a solid defensive shape inside his half and won the ball back a couple of times for his side.
CB: Aymeric Laporte – 7.5/10
It was a welcome return to first-team action for Laporte. He was a rock at the back and kept the Gunners frustrated by clearing his lines when required.
LB: Oleksandr Zinchenko – 7.5/10
Zinchenko performed his defensive duties well when called into action and ended the game with an assist to his name.
CM: Fernandinho – 8/10
The Brazilian midfield ace worked hard to offer adequate protection for his teammates at the back. He made several important tackles to earn possession back for his side.
CM: Rodri – 7/10
The Spaniard anchored the midfield immaculately alongside Fernandinho but lacked creativity with his passes in the opposition half. He did his job well and was subbed out of the game in the second half.
LW: Phil Foden – 8.5/10
The English youngster was a delight to watch tonight as he secured a goal and an assist to help his side secure a dominant away win in the EFL Cup.
CAM: Bernardo Silva – 6/10
Silva struggled to get himself involved in the game and got replaced after the hour mark.
RW: Riyad Mahrez – 8.5/10
The Algerian international caused all sorts of problems for the Arsenal defenders and scored Man City’s decisive albeit fortunate second goal from a freekick early in the second half.
ST: Gabriel Jesus – 7/10
The Brazilian striker opened the goal-scoring with his header in the third minute. He was always willing to have a strike on-target but failed to add to his early goal.
Substitutes:
CAM: Ferran Torres – 6/10
Torres struggled to get a foothold in the game.
ST: Sergio Aguero – 6/10
The Argentine striker never looked like he had a goal in him.
RB: Kyle Walker – 6/10
Walker came off the bench to see out the win.
