The definition of a game of two halves. What was at first a shaky opening half an hour turned into a more controlled performance as a certain someone ran riot and was ultimately the difference between both the sides.
Player ratings here:
Joe Hart: Had a good first half making a couple of great stops including one with his toe to deny Mitrović a second. Didn’t do anything in the second half but his distribution was excellent: 7.5
Pablo Zabaleta: Taking Sagna’s usual position, the Argentine held his own very well, minor blip was getting beaten by Mbabu for their goal. Nice to see his overlapping runs reeking havoc once more: 7
Eliaquim Mangala: Thought he had an excellent game. Made a few very well timed tackles and won his physical battle with Mitrović. Him and Otamendi looked fairly comfortable together: 7.5
Nicolas Otamendi: Won everything aerially and seemed accomplished along with Mangala at the back. Could’ve perhaps done better for their opener by getting infront of Wijnaldum: 7.
Aleksandar Kolarov: Quiet game from the Serb. Put a few nice crosses in. Didn’t do anything wrong as such: 6
Fernando: Fantastic game from the much-maligned Brazilian. Seems a lot more composed on the ball and his passing was crisp and confident. Looks more mobile and even burst forward with a few dribbles at times. Him and Fernandinho making a case for themselves as our new double pivot: 8
Fernandinho: The usual from Ferna. Top tackling and ran himself ragged to protect the back four. Looked at ease next to Fernando. Allowed himself to venture forward more, got a nice assist for our first: 7
Raheem Sterling: Forgettable afternoon from the 20 year-old, didn’t look as direct as usual and slowed it down at times. Needs his confidence back: 6.
David Silva: With two assists to his name, Silva looked back to normal. Pulled the strings from his central position and linked up well with the likes of KDB and Aguero: 7.5
Kevin De Bruyne: Three games and three player ratings in which the Belgian has been one of, if not the best, City player on the pitch. He gives us so much fluidity and his ability on and off the ball is remarkable. Beats a man with ease and added two assists today. His goal was special – an angled volley which was perfectly weighted to evade Krul. Superb: 8
Sergio Aguero: Well well well. 5, yes FIVE, goals from our No. 10. After a fairly quiet opening fourty minutes, he found his first excellently pouncing to nod home a Fernandinho knock-down. His second was scruffy but found the net. His third a deft chip, archetypal Aguero. His fourth he bent in superbly and his fifth showed his unrivalled attacking instincts to prod home. ALL in 20 minutes. He’s well and truly back. I’d have given the little man a 10 but he had a quiet first half: 9.5
SUBS:
Jesus Navas: I don’t really like Navas but he replaced Sterling at half-time and did change the game considerably. He gave us noticeable width, he put in some much better crosses into the area and assisted De Bruyne nicely with a knock over the Newcastle defence: 7.5
Wilfried Bony: Didn’t add much. Few shots here and there. Amazing flip-flap: 6.
Kelechi Iheanacho: Nice birthday cameo for the 19 year-old. Looks comfortable playing alongside such big names and infront of blockbuster crowds: 6.
