Manchester City player ratings vs Fulham
Rating the Manchester City players following a convincing 4-0 win over Fulham.
Manchester City returned to the Premier League summit after thrashing Fulham 4-0 in Saturday’s early kick-off.
Phil Foden’s right-footed goal sandwiched between two splendid markers from Josko Gvardiol steered the defending champions to 85 points, two ahead of Arsenal who play Manchester United on Sunday. Julian Alvarez put the cherry on top with a 97th minute penalty for a challenge by Issa Diop which saw the defender receive a red card.
Starting the opening exchanges with evenly matched possession, neither side gained a strong foothold on the game until the in-form Gvardiol scored his fourth goal since the start of April.
It’s almost ridiculous how seamless he is upfront with his weaker right foot. After chipping inside from the left flank and exchanging a quick one-two with Kevin de Bruyne, the Man City left-back composed himself to finish past Bernd Leno.
Pep Guardiola’s side sizzled with plenty of recoveries in their attacking third and settled into the game towards the closing stages of the first half, ensuring that Fulham didn’t score in the opening 45 for the 24th time in the PL this season.
They grew into the game, with Bernardo Silva the catalyst behind both goals.
He turned past Antonee Robinson and made a jinking run infield. Foden was quickest to react to the loose ball after Bernardo was dispossessed, dispatching a pinpoint right-footed shot to double City’s lead.
Bernardo then turned provider from a corner when he was offered acres of space, whipping a ball from outside the box for Gvardiol at the back post.
On that note, we’ll assess how each Man City player fared at Craven Cottage.
Ederson – 6.5/10
Ederson enjoyed a comfortable afternoon between the sticks under the warm West London sunshine. He needed to make one routine stop across 90 minutes as City beat Fulham for the 16th consecutive time across all competitions.
Manuel Akanji – 7/10
He was forced to switch from the right side of the back three in possession to the left after Walker’s introduction, and Akanji did brilliantly in the 50-50 battles and aerial duels.
Ruben Dias – 7/10
Dias did well in the air to fend off Rodrigo Muniz. A complete unit, Dias was spotless with his range of passing and man-marking. A true leader at the back.
Nathan Ake – 6/10
Ake only lasted 22 minutes before being subbed off for Kyle Walker owing to a muscular issue. He may well have played his final game of the league season, but until he was there, the Dutchman barely put a foot out of place.
Josko Gvardiol – 9.5/10
Gvardiol is quickly becoming one of Guardiola’s most adaptable and formidable defensive options. His decision-making when acting as an auxiliary left-sided attacker was inspiring, as was the defensive work he put in to pounce on lost possession.
He put his play-making skills on show for his first and popped up at the far post to nod City’s third.
Rodri – 7/10
Rodri kept things ticking but gave away the ball a few too many times for his liking. He established his authority in the second half though, making tackles in the middle and recycling possession for Man City.
Mateo Kovacic – 7.5/10
Kovacic was at his fluent best once again, dropping into deep pockets to yield the control Guardiola desires. He did brilliantly to switch the ball from one side to another under pressure.
Bernardo Silva – 8/10
The second 45 minutes of the game were all about Bernardo Silva. His work rate was second to none, and he again showed why he’s always found in enviable spaces on the pitch. Errorless dribbling, a delightful assist and non-stop running summed up his afternoon.
Kevin de Bruyne – 7/10
De Bruyne bagged an assist for City’s goal and was a regular threat from both open play and dead ball situations. He may have overcooked a few crosses which is ordinary considering his standards, but all is merry when your team is in cruise control.
Phil Foden – 8/10
Foden has developed this ability to arrive in the box from wider positions, demonstrating why he’s having the most prolific season of his senior career. Another well-taken goal surrounded by an excellent interchanging of passes and a bit of magic in the middle from the England international.
Erling Haaland – 5/10
Not the kind of afternoon he had against Wolverhampton Wanderers last week, Haaland received one big chance played through by De Bruyne which he scuffed. The menacing presence in the box was always there, nevertheless.
Substitutes
Kyle Walker – 6.5/10
Walker occasionally overlapped and supplied crosses but was mostly a right-sided center-half in possession. The City skipper did well off the bench and is likely to start the next two games in the title run-in.
Jeremy Doku – 6/10
The game was perfectly set up for Doku to come in and put his dancing shoes on as Fulham was beleaguered and exhausted. The Belgian forced Leno to make an outstanding save and could have ended the day with a goal contribution.
Rico Lewis – 5/10
Tidy performance by the youngster in the middle of the park.
Julian Alvarez – 6/10
Alvarez got on the scoresheet with a fantastic penalty that he won in the final stages of the game.
Oscar Bobb – 5/10
Bobb looked sharp down Man City’s right. He was direct and confident in his business.
-Roy Akarshak
Twitter: @RoyAkarshak
Photo: LittleSavage. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.