So that’s 4 wins, 12 points, 10 goals and without so much as a reply for Manchester City as they carried on with their fantastic form and were left unblemished by a stubborn Watford side as they cruised to a 2-0 home win this afternoon.
My player ratings are as follows:
Joe Hart: The England no. 1 had little to do but marshalled his defence well and was quick to start counter-attacks with early distribution to Kolarov etc – will also be pleased for a 4th consecutive clean sheet: 7.
Bacary Sagna: Another superb showing from City’s number 3. Jockeyed his opposition number marvellously and his cross for Sterling’s goal was a thing of beauty. He was gratefully thanked by City’s winger in the aftermath. Where does Zabaleta force a way in?: 8.
Eliaquim Mangala: Speaking of players who will struggle for a starting spot, Nicolas Otamendi is another who falls into this category…. Mangala, since the start of the season, has looked like a new signing and was commanding both aerially and on the ground today. He mopped up loose balls numerous times and was steady all round. Seems to have cut out the silly mistakes which seemed to characterise him last season and is forging something very special with Vincent Kompany: 8
Vincent Kompany: Now that the Belgian has an established partner in the form of Mangala by his side, the City skipper seems much less erratic and has been far more measured in his all round play. Showed again today as he made some important defensive interventions, whilst also playing it out of the backline well amongst other things: 7.
Aleksandar Kolarov: Surprisingly not involved in any goals this week but still the Serb carried on linking up superbly with Sterling and Silva and worked tirelessly offensively…something we all know he likes to do: 7.
Fernandinho: We’re definitely nearing a superlative shortage this season for ‘Ferna’. 4 games, 4 equally impressive displays and another goal to his name which involved some fantastic interplay between him and Silva before the ex-Shakhtar man lashed home with aplomb. Did his defensive job, as usual, and carries on proving why we paid that sum for him three summers ago: 9.
Yaya Toure: The Ivorian was in cruise control today and hardly even got out of first gear. However, he did keep things ticking over and released our forward-line numerous times for our marauding charges into the Watford final third: 7.
Raheem Sterling: YES! Finally the Jamaican-born winger has broken his duck in sky blue. Latching onto a fantastically waited Sagna cross, Sterling tapped home from close range and celebrated wildly. A monumental wait off the 20-year-olds shoulders, I’m sure. Provided City with their better goal-scoring opportunities in the first half and proved to be a handful for Watford’s back four: 8.
David Silva: Didn’t control the game as well as he did vs Chelsea or Everton but still played his part in a good second half attacking performance which saw City score twice and himself involved in the second as he played a clever reverse pass into Fernandinho’s path before he finished off the move excellently: 7.
Jesus Navas: Only played the first 45 minutes but it may well have been his last start for City in a while with the inevitable signing of Kevin De Bruyne in the next few hours or days. Today perhaps showcased why City dove back into the market for a right-sided attacking midfielder as Navas was frustratingly ineffective- 9/10 crosses were astray or found a Watford player and he was sloppy in possesion. Never took his full back on and just isn’t quite good enough for City as a club going forward in leaps and bounds: 6.
Sergio Aguero: A very uncharacteristic showing from the Argentine who fluffed a pull-back he’d usually happily gobble up and lost the ball when a pass was on a plethora of times. Almost wanted to score too much and it showed as he simply couldn’t find the space or chance that would have seen him dispatch with no problem. No doubt he’ll be back amongst the goals soon: 6.5.
SUBS:
Samir Nasri: A friendly second half for the Frenchmen which saw him tidy in possession and useful in breaking down a Watford defence which has been stalwart this season. Nearly grabbed a goal himself towards the end had it not been for a decent save from Gomes in the Watford goal: 7.
Fabian Delph: Wasn’t on long enough for a rating but looks very keen to impress and very athletic and industrious- something we lost with Milner departing but may have gained back in the form of the England international.
Kelechi: Ditto for the rating. Made a badly timed tackle at the death but nice to see him in the first XI.
