High-flying Manchester City had their worst seven days of this electrifying campaign when they suffered three back to back defeats – two against Liverpool who knocked them out of the Champions League quarterfinals and the other occurred at Etihad against city rivals Manchester United who overturned a 2-0 deficit and netted thrice in the second-half to spoil City’s occasion of celebrating a Premier League win defeating the neighbours. The Citizens, however, had another tough away outing on Saturday night when they travelled to Wembley to contest in-form Tottenham Hotspur but shook off the shambles of last week and delivered a champions’ display to clinch a 3-1 triumph and are now one win away from the Premier League glory.
Below are the Manchester City players rated in their comprehensive win against Tottenham Hotspur.
Ederson: 7
Saved Christian Eriksen’s initial effort but could not deal with the rebound that was converted by the Danish sensation late in the first half to pull back one. Was untested otherwise and had a comfortable afternoon, unlike the few previous fixtures.
Kyle Walker: 6.5
The ex-Spurs fullback is now one win away from the Premier League glory in his first season at Manchester. He had a tough job against his former teammates but managed to keep things calm down the right barring a few occasions.
Vincent Kompany: 8.5
The skipper’s long ball undid the Spurs central defence and Gabriel Jesus did well to finish it into the back of the net to break the deadlock midway through the first half. Was clumsy at times while tackling and also had moments to scare when the hosts pulled back one and kept on pressing for the equalizer until the Citizens restored the two-goal lead in the second half.
Aymeric Laporte: 7
The winter recruit started the game brightly but looked nervy under pressure and the gaffer brought in Nicolas Otamendi to strengthen their defensive line to protect the lead.
Fabian Delph: 75
A decent outing for the Englishman in a makeshift left-back role where he has shown enough composure since being utilized as injured Benjamin Mendy’s replacement.
Kevin De Bruyne: 8
Another dominating display by the Belgian in the middle of the park as he kept on controlling the midfield game, changing the flanks, making down the middle runs and creating opportunities upfront with his vision and exceptional passing traits. Was replaced by Yaya Toure in closing seconds.
Ilkay Gundogan: 7.5
The German international stepped up and converted the spot-kick with a thumping yet controlled effort. Kept the ball rolling and the midfield moving all the time with his swift movements and link up play.
David Silva: 8
His stunning effort was spectacularly saved by Hugo Lloris in the first half. The veteran Spaniard, as always, kept on dribbling past the defence with his footwork and vision and created plenty of chances inside the box.
Leroy Sane: 7
His effort rattled the woodwork minutes into the game, but the German youngster failed to match his standards all evening and was eventually replaced by Nicolas Otamendi to protect the lead.
Raheem Sterling: 8.5
Earned his side a spot-kick which was hammered into the net by Gundogan to hand the visitors an early two-goal lead. Missed a sitter once again like his recent outings but finally hit the back of the net seconds later and capitalized on Lloris’ save that fell in his path to seal the Premier League title.
Gabriel Jesus: 7.5
Showed his composure while running through Spurs defence to find the back of the net in the first-half but missed a glorious opportunity just over an hour mark despite having Lloris one-on-one. Was replaced by Bernardo Silva in the second half.
Substitutes
Nicolas Otamendi: 7
Restored stability in City defence as Guardiola opted to switch to a ‘back three’ to protect the lead.
Bernardo Silva: 6
Came in place of Jesus and helped his side to come out victorious by a comprehensive 3-1 scoreline.
Yaya Toure: NA
Played too little to warrant a rating.
