Manchester City clashed heads with Club Brugge at Jan Breydel Stadium earlier this evening as they hoped to secure an emphatic win on the road. The Mancunian giants made a bright start to the contest and took the lead in the 30th minute when Joao Cancelo found the back of the net with a tidy finish. Riyad Mahrez doubled Man City’s advantage from the penalty spot just 13 minutes later as the visitors went into the half-time break with a healthy two-goal lead.
Kyle Walker ended up killing the game off with his goal in the 53rd minute before Cole Palmer scored Man City’s fourth goal after the hour mark. Hans Vanaken got a consolation goal for the Brugge outfit in the 81st minute. Just three minutes later, Mahrez got his name on the scoresheet once again as the contest finished 5-1 in favour of Pep Guardiola’s men.
Let’s take a look at how each Man City player fared during the clash against Club Brugge.
GK: Ederson – 6.5/10
The Brazilian keeper made just one save during the game and will be disappointed for conceding a goal so late in the game which extinguished his hopes of a clean sheet.
RB: Kyle Walker – 7.5/10
The English right-back hardly put a foot wrong in the game defensively and managed to score his team’s third goal with a low strike.
CB: Ruben Dias – 7/10
Dias won the ball back quite a few times and even cleared the danger when needed. However, all of his good work were not enough for Man City to secure a clean sheet.
CB: Aymeric Laporte – 6.5/10
The Spaniard was solid at the back but got replaced in the 56th minute.
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LB: Joao Cancelo – 8/10
Cancelo opened the goal-scoring with a tidy finish in the first half. He even made a few important interceptions inside his half and was not shy of putting his foot through the ball to keep the Brugge attackers frustrated for most of the 90 minutes.
CM: Kevin De Bruyne – 7/10
The Belgian international picked up a good assist for setting up Walker’s goal. However, he never looked like scoring himself and got substituted in the 64th minute.
CM: Rodri – 7/10
He passed the ball with conviction and offered enough defensive protection for his teammates at the back. Rodri got a rest for the final 20 minutes of the game.
CM: Bernardo Silva – 7/10
The Portuguese winger worked hard to help his teammates out at the back and made one good chance during his time on the field.
RW: Riyad Mahrez – 9/10
The Algerian was a constant menace in the opposition half and did well to bag a brace. He deserves to be named the man of the match.
ST: Phil Foden – 8/10
Foden caused all kinds of problems for the Brugge defenders and has got an assist to show for his efforts.
LW: Jack Grealish – 7.5/10
The former Aston Villa playmaker created some good chances for others around him but never looked like scoring himself.
Substitutes:
CM: Ilkay Gundogan – 6/10
He added some energy to Man City’s midfield.
CB: Nathan Ake – 6/10
Ake did his best to keep things tidy at the back.
LW: Raheem Sterling – 6.5/10
He was always willing to have a shot at goal and deserves credit for picking up an assist.
ST: Cole Palmer – 7/10
Palmer came off the bench and got himself a dream goal in the UEFA Champions League.
CM: Fernandinho – 6/10
He offered some bite and steel to Man City’s midfield.
