Manchester City enjoyed a sublime summer with some top signings being added to the battalion of Pep Guardiola and they enjoyed the opening week of the league as well, triumphing over Brighton comfortably.
However the roads are not always easy in the Premier League and thorns are quick to appear and the latest for City were the blues from Merseyside, Everton.
Manchester City went ahead with 3-5-2 with Everton replicating it but making it a 5-3-2 on most occasions. The first break-through came from the away team as Sane’s mistake allowed Everton to build-up and Rooney finished in the end with the ball going in between the legs of the keeper.
Second half was all about Manchester City trying to respond and they did it with 10 minutes left on the clock as Raheem Sterling volleyed home a badly placed header from Holgate. City tried their best but it was in vain. Here is how Guardiola’s men have been rated:-
GK: Ederson – 5/10
Alert and responsive on most occasions but really inconsistent with his distribution and decision making. Not at all convincing.
RWB: Kyle Walker – 4/10
Horrific home debut as he got sent off within the first 45 minutes.
CB: John Stones – 5.5/10
Decent and tidy at the back but nothing really excellent to be proud about.
CB: Nicolas Otamendi – 6.5/10
Put in a lot of effort today and truly came out on his own in the second half. Won the balls back, rammed ahead when needed, carried on with interceptions and tried two decent efforts from range. Several positives to take from this display.
CB: Vincent Kompany – 6/10
Rusty at some places but controlled the ball very neatly in the second half and contributed to the possession. Not much to do defensively though.
LWB: Leroy Sane – 4.5/10
At fault for Everton’s opener and didn’t really click for him being deployed as a wingback today.
CDM: Fernandinho – 6.5/10
Went about his job competitively like he always does and contributed to the team a lot by being the unselfish player he is.
CM: Kevin De Bruyne – 6.5/10
Hardly put a foot wrong in the second half and was phenomenal with his drives, passing, work-rate and vision. Looked one of the brightest players in the City shirt to take the attack to Everton. Good performance.
CM: David Silva – 7/10
Creative and really intelligent. Classy as always but City would wish the end product improved for the team as a whole. Struck the post and came close to scoring.
FW: Jesus – 5/10
Absolutely poor and largely ineffective. He was subbed off very early at the start of the second half.
FW: Sergio Aguero – 6/10
Got the service on some occasions but couldn’t do much with it which is unlike him. Has to improve.
Substitutions:-
Raheem Sterling – ( On for Gabriel Jesus ) – 7/10
He was simply fantastic with his pace, ball control and his ability to beat the defenders. Has to really work on the finishing as he could have killed the game with the chances he got but overall he did an effective job and rode from the front to provide problems to Everton.
Danilo Luiz – ( On for John Stones ) – 6/10
Did an effective job from the right and came ridiculously close to scoring.
Bernando Silva – ( On for Leroy Sane ) – 5.5/10
Occasional bits of flair and intent but couldn’t help the team in the final third.
