Manchester City qualified for the Champions League knockout stages, after just four games with a 4-2 win away at Napoli. After going behind to Lorenzo Insigne’s goal, who finished off a lovely attacking move from Napoli it looked like it was going to be a tough evening for them. But goals from Nicholas Otamendi and John Stones in the first and second half put City ahead.
Then from the penalty spot, Napoli made it 2-2 through Jorginho after Leroy Sane brought down Raul Albiol in the box. Sergio Aguero then made it 3-2 after finishing off a great counter-attacking move from City. Raheem Sterling then made it 4-2 in stoppage time after he got on the end of Kevin De Bruyne’s ball and slotted his effort into the bottom left corner.
Below is how City’s starting eleven and substitutes were rated:
Ederson (6):
Made a good save early in the first half to deny Marek Hamsik. Made a couple of comfortable saves to deny Dries Mertens. Could do nothing to stop Insigne’s goal tried to make himself big but the Italian, tucked it past him into the bottom right corner. Sent the wrong way by Jorginho in the second half to make it 2-2. Make a great save to deny Jose Callejón from making it 3-2.
Danilo (4):
Lost his man Insigne for Napoli’s goal, just ran past him and let Insigne run free. Really struggled to deal with Insigne in the first half, he has lost him a few times due to his attacking nature as a full-back.
John Stones (6):
Nearly gave City the lead as his header came off the crossbar after running onto a high sliced clearance in the box. Made it 2-1, 47 minutes in after he headed in Sane’s corner and it bounced in over the line after coming off the underside of the bar.
Nicholas Otamendi (7) :
Made a good tackle in the first half to deny Insigne a shooting chance in the box. Good header 33 minutes in to bring Manchester city level, he rose above Elseid Hysaj and headed into the top left corner of the goal. Just denied getting on the end of another ball to tap and make it 2-1. A poor tackle in stoppage time to earn himself a booking.
Fabian Delph (6):
Looked comfortable in the first half at left-back and got forward well to support Leroy Sane down the left wing. Had a pretty comfortable game as Callejón had a very quiet evening.
Kevin De Bruyne (7):
A good little run and pass to play Raheem Sterling in for Sergio Aguero’s chance in the first half. His set-piece delivery was excellent again during the game. Got an assist in stoppage time to set up Sterling for Manchester City’s fourth goal.
Fernandinho (6):
Looked a little bit shaky on the ball in the first half and struggled to deal with Jorginho and Hamsik in the middle of the park. In the second half, he made a couple of good tackles and interceptions.
Ikay Gundogan (7):
A great delivery into the box from the right flank to set up Otamendi for the equaliser. He also showed great movement throughout the game which is good to see after the terrible injury luck he has had in his Manchester City career so far. Was replaced in the 69th minute by David Silva.
Raheem Sterling (8):
Great pass to set up Aguero but his shot was deflected wide. Good run to get at the Napoli defence but his shot at the end was deflected wide for a corner. Great turn and run into the box but unfortunately went over a bit easier, once he got inside the box. Early in the second half, he made another great run to get past two Napoli defenders but his effort was blocked by Albiol. Made it 4-2 in the 92nd minute after getting on the end of De Bruyne’s pass and slotted the ball into the bottom left corner.
Sergio Aguero (7):
His first chance of the game was blocked by the Napoli defence for a corner when it was heading for the bottom right corner of the goal. Made it 3-2, 68 minutes in after tucking his effort past Pepe Reina and into the bottom right corner. The goal also made him Manchester City’s all-time top goalscorer. He then was replaced in the 74th minute for Bernardo Silva.
Leroy Sané (7):
Made some good runs down the left flank and hugging the touchline to provide width and create more room for De Bruyne and Gundogan in the middle of the park. Great corner to set up Stones to make it 2-1 in the 47th minute. Poor tackle to bring down Albiol for a penalty to Napoli which Jorginho converts. A great counter-attacking run to set up Aguero for City’s third goal. Put a free kick just over the bar in the last ten minutes. Made way in the 89th minute for Gabriel Jesus
Substitutes:
David Silva, N/A :
Came on in the 69th minute for Gundogan but didn’t really have time to do much.
Bernardo Silva, N/A :
Came on in the 74th minute for Aguero but had very little time to do something.
Gabriel Jesus, N/A:
Came on in the 89th minute for Sane but had no time to do anything.
