It was truly a game of two halves, but Manchester City got the win they needed and managed to top their group and thus potentially get an easier draw in the Round of 16!
Player Ratings:
Joe Hart: Had little to do throughout the 90 minutes. Not much he could do for Borussia Mönchengladbach’s two goals and he made a nice save at the end which looked to have deflected in – 6
Gaël Clichy: Starting at right-back, the normally left-sided full-back had a hard time of it against Wendt and was caught out for their first goal as he was easily brushed past. Could argue he was out of position for their second too as he allowed the ball to be crossed in. However, the Frenchman did provide an excellent pull-back for City’s equaliser – 6.5
Eliaquim Mangala: Not too bad. Still a few shaky moments but won some tough duels and didn’t allow Gladbach too much joy. Better – 7
Nicolas Otamendi: Nice showing. One thing that is really noticeable is his knack for tackling, he times them perfectly and rarely put a foot wrong – 7.5
Aleksandar Kolarov: Don’t know where he was for Gladbach’s first goal but linked up nicely with Raheem Sterling which was encouraging. Put a few dangerous crosses into the box – 6.5
Fabian Delph: Played some nice balls into the final third and was dynamic and energetic. Sub for Bony was probably the right thing to do – 6.5
Fernandinho: I really liked the Brazilian’s performance tonight. Tackled magnificently, never stopped running and played some attractive stuff on the floor. City are incredibly blessed to have such a player who knits defence and attack seamlessly – 7
Yaya Touré: Mixed bag. Saw some exquisite first-time touches and even some glimpses of his trademark lung-bursting runs but still seemed brittle and clumsy at times – 7
Kevin de Bruyne: I thought his passing and crossing in the first half was wasteful and lacklustre, much like it was at Stoke. However, he did grow into the game and put in some good tackles high up the pitch and pressed well. Looks knackered and deserves a rest – 6.5
David Silva: Probably City’s best player in what was a poor first half. Opened the scoring with a fine, lashed finish into the roof of the net. Was the creative hub in the second half and it is brilliant for City to have the Spaniard at their disposal once again – 7.5
Raheem Sterling: A weird game for the birthday boy. His profligacy was glaring in the first half and for bits of the second and he was largely frustrating. Yet, again, we saw glimpses of a truly quality player – such as his intricate back-heel pass to Silva to set up the first goal, and his two goals which ultimately won City the game. His first was an instinctive finish and his second was even better; a first time, side-footed finish into the bottom corner. His interplay with Kolarov to set up City’s fourth was also nice to see. In all, despite his wastefulness, he had a hand in all the goals. What more can you want? – 8
Subs:
Wilfried Bony: Gave the team a focal point, set up the winner and scored the fourth. Brilliant cameo – 7
Jesus Navas: Added pace and width, which stretched Gladbach and saw them tire – 6.5
Bacary Sagna: Came on late to keep things tight – N/A
