Manchester City 4-0 Crystal Palace: Player Ratings
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Manchester City ran out 4-0 winners at a snowy Etihad as Crystal Palace carried on their consecutive run of games without a goal to five. City, who had the lions share of possession (72%), dominated the game and, despite a few tentative attempts from the Eagles, deserved their win. Goals from Aguero (2), Silva and Delph sealed the victory and City, once again, were tight at the back – their 10th clean sheet this season.
Joe Hart - 6
Didn’t have that much to do, saved a header from Delaney early on, which the Irishman just had to score.
Pablo Zabaleta - 7
Fantastic return to the XI from the Argentine. Tackled superbly, didn’t stop running and gave City an extra option going forward. A true battling performance from the fullback.
Nicolas Otamendi- 6.5
Saw his usual front-foot defending and he won a couple of battles with Wickham well. Another clean sheet for the summer signing. Positive signs.
Martin Demichelis - 6
Wasn’t overly troubled, passed well but seemed lethargic at times, probably a show of his age.
Aleksandar Kolarov - 5.5
Didn’t do badly but came off injured early into the second half with a knee problem. He was replaced by Clichy.
Fernando - 6
Had an average game. Sat in front of the back four and made couple of nice interceptions and tackles. Didn’t have a bad game but is so, so immobile compared to his colleagues.
Fabian Delph - 8
Best game in a City shirt since his 8 million pound move from Aston Villa. Set the tone with a rocket of a shot in the first half, which broke the deadlock and from there on in he was almost flawless. Almost every tackle seemed successful and he proved to the crowd what an excellent engine he has. He covered a huge amount of distance and he even showed he was technically adept with some lovely feet and skills in the middle of the park.
David Silva - 6.5
Had an incredibly quiet first half despite a simple assist for the opener but grew into the game more as it progressed. Managed to get on the scoresheet in the second half as Aguero allowed him to tap home the fourth and final goal.
Kevin De Bruyne - 6.5
Fairly quiet game from the Belgian, didn’t prove as decisive as usual but still unselfishly squared it to Aguero to make it 3-0. That’s his 9th league assist of the season
Kelechi Iheanacho - 6.5
Was spritely in the first half and proved a nuisance for the Eagles defence. Set up Aguero’s first and showed, once again, he could mix it with the best. Has Aguero found his strike partner?
Sergio Aguero - 8
I said in my Everton ratings that he was likely to get some goals today and he did just that. His opener, despite a heavy deflection, settled City as they took a 2-0 advantage, and his second was nice to see. A striker in the right place at the right time.
His involvement in City’s final goal was also immense as he poked the ball round Ward before unselfishly squaring for Silva to tap home.