Manchester City fell to a shock 2-1 home defeat against Leeds United on Saturday afternoon, despite the visitors playing the whole second half with ten men.
Here are our player ratings from the game at the Etihad Stadium…
Starting XI
Ederson: 6/10
Couldn’t do anything about Stuart Dallas’ opening goal as it deflected off Ake before going in off the post. Did brilliantly to deny Raphinha after he found himself through on goal. Nutmegged for Dallas’ late winner.
Joao Cancelo: 6/10
Spotted the danger well a few times early on when Helder Costa looked to break away. Very weak defending for Leeds’ opening goal as Costa got past him twice too easily. Denied by Meslier after a shot from the edge of the box. Put in a very dangerous cross late on but there was nobody on the end of it.
John Stones: 6/10
Guilty of losing possession on a few occasions early on but had a lot of success making forward runs with the ball, which caused Leeds some problems. Started the second half in the same manner and earned City a free-kick in a dangerous position with an excellent run. Couldn’t keep pace with Dallas for his late winning goal.
Nathan Ake: 5/10
Picked up an early booking for a late challenge on Patrick Bamford and looked a bit rusty on his return to the side. Yellow card perhaps played a factor as the Dutch international was substituted shortly before the hour mark.
Benjamin Mendy: 5/10
Troubled by the runs of Raphinha early on, with the Brazilian regularly running in behind down City’s left-hand side. Struggled to get forward effectively, despite moving forward in the second half, and his shocking cross moments before his substitution summed up a poor display.
Fernandinho: 7/10
An excellent first half from the veteran midfielder as he regularly won possession back and burst forward with the ball. Brilliant run led to City’s best chance of the first half but Sterling dragged it wide. A powerful strike from the edge of the box was tipped over by Meslier but then sprinted back to deny Alioski when he was through on goal. His incisive pass to Bernardo Silva was the catalyst for City’s equaliser. Gave the ball away late on and then scythed down Raphinha
Oleksandr Zinchenko: 8/10
Put in some excellent deliveries for Torres and Stones. Pushed City forward in the second half and was denied by a brilliant save from Illan Meslier after a fierce strike from the edge of the box. Regularly put dangerous crosses into the box and was certainly one of few bright sparks for Guardiola’s side. Excelled in his midfield role, playing five key passes.
Was Zinchenko City’s best player?
Yes
No
Ferran Torres: 7/10
Had a great opportunity to open the scoring from a corner but took far too long to get his shot away. Headed way over the bar from a Zinchenko free-kick when he should have done better. Struggled to get involved but then popped up with the important equaliser with a composed finish after Silva’s assist.
Bernardo Silva: 7/10
Kept things ticking over for City in midfield but was rarely involved in an attacking sense in the first half. Had a huge chance to equalise in the second half but his volley was deflected just wide. Showed his quality with a great touch and assist for Torres’ equalising goal. Fizzed an effort just wide with a few minutes remaining.
Raheem Sterling: 5/10
Guilty of another awful miss as he dragged his shot well wide after a superb run from Fernandinho. Had another half chance when he turned Torres’ cross wide of the goal. The £90m-rated forward did nothing to suggest that he should keep his place in Guardiola’s side for the important game against Dortmund on Wednesday.
Gabriel Jesus: 6/10
Poor decision making from the Brazilian in the first half as he took a shot on himself despite having Torres and Sterling available. Involved in the game-changing moment as Liam Cooper was sent off for a high tackle on the Brazilian. Took a few heavy tackles from Leeds players and struggled to get involved, although he didn’t really have any chances to score.
Subs
Ilkay Gundogan: 6/10
Immediately involved as Stones’ shot fell into his path but he couldn’t get an effort away, later volleyed well over Meslier’s bar. Put in a superb cross after some lovely dribbling in the box late on but Fernandinho headed straight at Meslier.
Phil Foden: N/A
A few nice touches aside, he was barely involved after coming on.
In other news… Bye-bye Fernandinho: Txiki should seal City swoop for PL beast loved by Klopp