Player Ratings

Ederson-7/10: Could do little about Wolves’ opener but did make a great save from Nelson Semedo to prevent the hosts from doubling their lead.

Rico Lewis-7/10: Caught out for Wolves opener but was better after that. Another decent display from Lewis.

John Stones-8/10: Was the hero again with his late winner. Besides that, he was good on the ball and defended well when required.

Ruben Dias-7/10: Defended well against Wolves long ball threat and was good in possession.

Josko Gvardiol-7.5/10: Scored a stunning goal for City’s equaliser. Was good in possession throughout the game.

Mateo Kovacic-7/10: Kovacic was good in midfield once again. Dictated the game well when City had possession.

Ilkay Gundogan-6/10: Gundogan never stopped trying, but he has yet to discover his best form.

Bernardo Silva-8/10: An all-action display from Bernardo. One of City’s best over the course of the full 90 minutes.

Savinho-6.5/10: He threatened on occasions, but like Doku, his end product wasn’t there. Had one good effort saved by José Sá late in the first half. Also, like Doku, he looked more dangerous on the right wing rather than the left.

Jeremy Doku-6/10: Picked up an assist with his layoff for Gvardiol’s wonder strike. While he was dangerous, especially in the first half his end product was lacking. Doku was infinitely more dangerous on the left wing rather than the right.

Erling Haaland-5/10: He couldn’t get into the game as Wolves defence kept him quiet. Still had his moments at times but was well below his best

Substitutes

Phil Foden-6.5/10: Set up Stones’ winner with a perfect corner. He didn’t contribute much after coming on but that was the pivotal moment in City’s win.

Jack Grealish-6.5/10: He immediately offered a threat on the left when he came on.

Matheus Nunes-N/A: Not on long enough to mark.

Player Ratings


Ederson – 6/10 Made an important save in the first half, largely untroubled for the rest.

Rico Lewis – 7/10 Clever movement into midfield helped City’s attacking phases.

John Stones – 7/10 Redeemed himself with the winner after struggling against Wolves’ forwards.

Ruben Dias – 6/10 Generally solid but will be frustrated with the defensive lapses.

Josko Gvardiol – 8/10 A stunning goal and consistently dangerous going forward.

Mateo Kovacic – 7/10 A driving force in midfield, combining well with the attackers.

Ilkay Gundogan – 7/10 Influential in the final third, pulling the strings in key moments.

Savinho – 6/10 Started brightly but couldn’t maintain his influence as the game progressed.

Bernardo Silva – 6/10 Played a key role in the winning goal but wasn’t at his usual best.

Jeremy Doku – 6/10 Pace and energy, but lacked the final product to make a real difference.

Erling Haaland – 4/10 Struggled to get involved and was well marshalled by the Wolves defence.

Substitutes:

Phil Foden – 7/10 Injected creativity when brought on, helping City push for the winner.

Jack Grealish – 6/10 Didn’t have much impact in his brief cameo.

Matheus Nunes – N/A

Manager:

Pep Guardiola – 5/10 Tactical questions remain as City struggle without key players, despite the result.
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Starting XI: Ortega; Lewis, Stones, Akanji, Ake; Gundogan, Nunes, Foden; Bernardo ©, Haaland, Savinho.

Substitutes: Ederson, Carson, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Kovacic, McAtee.

Player Ratings

Stefan Ortega Moreno – 7

Had very little to do, but made a good save in the first-half.

Rico Lewis – 7.5

Really comfortable on the ball and always wanting to go forward.

Manuel Akanji – 7.5

Solid defensively and was confident on the ball. An assist for the Swiss defender tonight, albeit via the individual brilliance of Phil Foden.

John Stones – 8.5

Great goal and stepped forward to provide the extra option around the penalty area. An option to play at striker in any absence of Erling Haaland, according to Pep Guardiola.

Nathan Ake – 7.5

Was unlucky to have his goal disallowed and stopped any visiting threat. An encouraging return to life with the squad after injury.

Ilkay Gundogan – 7

Didn’t have the impact expected in this game but still played well.

Bernardo Silva © – 8

Controlled the tempo of the game in midfield and took his role of captain very seriously.

Phil Foden – 8.5

Did well to score so early on and remained a threat in the final third. Awarded UEFA’s Player of the Match award for the second European contest running.

Savinho – 8.5

Very quick feet and was a constant threat down the wing with his dynamism. Earned an assist from Erling Haaland’s brilliance.
Erling Haaland – 9.5

He always surprises with what he can do on the pitch and shocked everyone with his first goal. He is a serial goalscorer. That’s 44 goals in 42 Champions League appearances now.

Matheus Nunes – 9 (MOTM)

Very effective when playing with confidence grabbing two assists and earned his goal tonight.

Substitutes

James McAtee – 7

Played okay when he came on and will be looking to get more minutes on the pitch.

Mateo Kovacic – 7

Very clever when on the ball and he did his job well after coming on.

Josko Gvardiol – 7

Created an extra threat with his tendencies to go forward and attack up the pitch.

Ruben Dias – 7

Had very little to do when he came on but remained in control of the defence.

Nico O’Reilly – No time to mark

Player Ratings

Ortega: An important save in the first half to tip Birmancevic's effort wide as Sparta briefly threatened. 7

Lewis: No defensive dramas on this occasion, and some lovely incisive runs forward into the box. 7

Stones: A bit sloppy at the back, although nobody cared about that after he scored his second header in as many games. 7

Akanji: Held up the left side with Ake for most of the game before switching over to the right and made it all look effortless. 7

Ake: A welcome sight on his first start of the season, composed at the back and carrying an attacking threat in the opposition box. 7

Gundogan: Too many misplaced passes or moves that broke down in the first half, but warmed up as the game went on. 6

Nunes: Welcome to the party, Matheus Nunes. Bright on the left wing and came up with two assists and then scored the penalty he won. 9

Silva: Enjoyed dancing through the Sparta defence whenever he could and linked up well with Nunes and Foden. 7

Foden: Drove the team on in the first half after scoring the important first goal. Faded a little but kept involved. 8

Savinho: Frustrated Guardiola at times but tracked back well and set up Haaland for his acrobatic effort. 7

Haaland: What a goal. The second was good but the first was outstanding, making the game safe for City in audacious fashion. 9

Substitutes:

McAtee (for Silva, 69) Some nice touches in a game already won. 6

Kovacic (for Gundogan, 69) A straight swap that kept the momentum. 6

Gvardiol (for Ake, 74) Business as usual. 6

Player Ratings

Stefan Ortega (6/10):

Only had one save to make but did well to tip away Veljko Birmancevic's strike when City were only 1-0 up.

John Stones (7/10):

Played in a very advanced position in a throwback to two seasons ago and showed his heading prowess for the second game in a row.

Manuel Akanji (6/10):

Pushed up high and was occasionally caught out but his positioning also saw him feed Foden.

Nathan Ake (6/10):

Used his strength effectively. Had a goal ruled out for handball.

Rico Lewis (7/10):

Popped up all over the pitch, always making the right decision.

Ilkay Gundogan (6/10):

Did a lot of orchestrating but occasionally was too ponderous in possession.

Matheus Nunes (7/10):

Gave another demonstration of his steady improvement with a confident performance, setting up Stones' header with an arching cross before winning and converting a penalty.

Bernardo Silva (7/10)

His seamless passing ensured City had total control.

Savinho (8/10):

Ran the visitors ragged down the right wing, destroying opponents while also slowing down in time for his team-mates to join the attack.

Erling Haaland (9/10):

Looked dangerous from start to finish, having eight goal attempts with just 12 touches when he scored his first goal in obscene fashion. His second wasn't bad either but he will be disappointed he wasn't on the pitch when the penalty was awarded.

Phil Foden (7/10):

Approaching his best form after an injury-disrupted start to the season. Took his goal superbly and was a constant headache for the visitors between the lines.

Subs & Manager

James McAtee (6/10):

Got on the ball a lot in his 21 minutes on the pitch.

Mateo Kovacic (5/10):

Had a very simple job to do when he came on with City 4-0 up.

Josko Gvardiol (5/10):

Didn't have to overexert himself.

Ruben Dias (5/10):

Enjoyed a 16-minute stroll.

Nico O'Reilly (N/A):

Made his Champions League debut in 81st minute and was a fraction too slow to mark it by scoring.

Pep Guardiola (7/10):

Looked furious with the first-half performance but must be pleased with the second-half blitz.

Officials at Manchester City are seemingly heading towards a blockbuster new agreement with mainstay sponsors Etihad Airways, according to new reports.

That is according to the information of Manchester City insider ‘Tolmie’s Hairdoo’ on X, who claims that the Premier League champions’ next sponsorship agreement with Etihad Airways will be worth over £900 million.

Manchester City and Erling Haaland are both working towards a contract extension for the Norway international in the coming weeks and months, according to reports.

However, one point of concern for some supporters may be the claim that Haaland’s current agreement at City states that he is ‘free to leave or when he leaves’, and for a fee of around €70 million, which is not valid for all teams, and ‘especially’ those in the Premier League.

Pep Guardiola has confirmed that he will continue to be without six of his first-team players for the visit of Southampton on Saturday afternoon.

While Oscar Bobb and Rodri remain sidelined with long-term injury problems and are not expected back until the new year, Kevin De Bruyne also remains absent despite continuing to train with the first-team squad.

Additionally, Kyle Walker remains sidelined with the knee problem sustained during the international break, whilst Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku will remain absent having picked up problems during last weekend’s meeting away to Wolves.

Jeremy Doku ruled out for four weeks

Starting XI: Ederson, Lewis, Akanji, Dias ©, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Foden, Bernardo; Savinho, Haaland, Nunes.

Substitutes: Ortega Moreno, Carson, Stones, Ake, Gundogan, O’Reilly, McAtee.

Player Ratings

Ederson – 7/10

A fairly regular day at the office for the Brazilian, who was not threatened on more than a few occasions but did step up his game in the second half after he seemed to have been beaten when Southampton nearly equalised on the cusp of half-time.

Rico Lewis – 7/10

Tidy as always and ever so reliant on the ball, the young Englishman was running strings in the middle of the park as he stepped into midfield when City enjoyed possession whilst fulfilling his defensive duties.

Manuel Akanji – 7/10

Back in a Premier League lineup after starting alongside recent talisman John Stones in midweek, the Swiss international won his headers and provided a sense of calm especially in the dying stages of the game when Southampton hoped to clinch an equaliser.

Ruben Dias – 7.5/10

Was on the job when Southampton did threaten in the first half and moved the ball around well throughout as City moved between the right and left to slice open the Saints defence.

Josko Gvardiol – 7/10

Didn’t have his shooting boots on today but hey, he’s a defender! He combined well with the likes of Silva and Nunes on the left side of attack, which proved to be pivotal throughout in producing attacks for the hosts.

Mateo Kovacic – 7/10

Commanded the midfield, picked up a yellow card and came close to adding to his tally of three league goals of the season but Kovacic has made his name as one of the Guardiola’s most reliable technicians having impressed since the opening day win at Chelsea.

Bernardo Silva – 7.5/10

Manchester City’s most effective player against a well-drilled team, Silva’s underlapping runs behind the Saints defence were a regular occurrence in the first half before he dropped into a deeper role in the second half.

Phil Foden – 7/10

Can’t be faulted for effort but he’s got a few gears he can switch up, Foden was limited in his more central role but that’s a lot more credit to Southampton’s resolute defending than a slight on the Stockport wizard’s display.

Savinho – 8/10 (MOTM)

Was full of tricks, skills, feints and cheeky dribbles and the Brazilian could have found the net in the first half had he showed better judgement but Manchester City have an absolute magician on their hands.

Erling Haaland – 7.5/10

He could have added a few more to his name but the Norwegian made the telling difference for his side before he was taken off for Stones in added time.

Matheus Nunes – 7/10

Delivered after being started on the left wing after a scintillating performance in the Champions League this week – and Guardiola’s faith paid off as he set up Haaland for the winner with a nicely-weighted cross within five minutes.

Substitutes:

Ilkay Gundogan – 7/10

Injected some much-needed energy in midfield in the second half as City chased a second goal.

John Stones

Came on in the dying moments for Haaland to help protect City’s slim advantage.

This post has been edited by kjs86: Oct 27 2024, 02:23 AM

Player Ratings

Ederson: Had little to do and did it well, with one standard save from Armstrong and did enough when Archer went through. 7

Lewis: Spent a lot of his time playing off Haaland on the edge of the Southampton box, and better defensively as well. 7

Akanji: Increasingly influential moving forward in the post-Rodri part of the season and looked comfortable pushing up. 8

Dias: Caught out when Archer went through and had a disagreement with Guardiola, although otherwise good. 7

Gvardiol: Lots to like as usual but poor to play the ball back into the box in a second-half clearance. 7

Kovacic: Helped out at the back to keep everything in order and went close a few times with shots on the edge of the box. 7

Silva: In the right place at the right time - as he often is - but in a strange game that was on the edge this was even more important. 8

Foden: Looking more and more like the Foden of last season in how he runs games. Not a lot came off but there was still drive and purpose. 7

Savinho: Not at his best from a defensive point of view, irking Foden, but some excellent crosses into the box for Haaland. 7

Nunes: On the money to cross for Haaland early on and another encouraging performance on the left, bustling with energy and tracking back. 7

Haaland: An early goal and very good throughout, going close to a second on a number of occasions and generally being a menace for Bednarek. 8

Substitutes

Gundogan (for Nunes, 87): No time

Stones (for Lewis, 96) Even less time

Player Ratings

GK: Ederson - 5/10 - Given few moments of threat to keep himself warm.

RB: Rico Lewis - 5/10 - Tip-toeing into midfield at every given opportunity, Lewis offered more possession protection than penetration.

CB: Manuel Akanji - 6/10 - Did very little wrong - although that is not entirely impressive given how little he had to do at all.

CB: Ruben Dias - 7/10 - Relished the rare occasions when Southampton escaped the edge of their own penalty area.

LB: Josko Gvardiol - 6/10 - Dovetailed well with Nunes and Bernado on City's most productive flank.

CM: Mateo Kovacic - 7/10 - City's only vaguely defensively minded midfielder excelled at the ugly side of the game on Saturday.

CM: Bernardo Silva - 7/10 - Buzzing around in his inimitable style, plugging every gap as soon as it emerged anywhere across the width and breadth of the pitch.

AM: Phil Foden - 6/10 - After a largely anonymous first half, Foden grew into the game.

RW: Savinho - 5/10 - Enjoyed more success when looking for a teammate rather than taking his opponent on.

ST: Erling Haaland - 8/10 - Is there any way to stop him? Bednarek couldn't even foul him properly.

LW: Matheus Nunes - 8/10 - Stationed in an unusually wide position, Nunes enjoyed this newfound sense of freedom, repeatedly taking on and beating his man.

Substitutes

SUB: Ilkay Gundogan (87' for Nunes) - N/A

SUB: John Stones (90' for Lewis) - N/A

Player Ratings

Ederson (6/10):

Only had one save to make, parrying an Adam Armstrong shot, and rarely had to use his feet.

Rico Lewis (7/10):

Another assured performance, continuing to make Kyle Walker's absence go unnoticed.

Manuel Akanji (5/10):

Reliable for most of the game although lost track of Archer on a couple of occasions.

Ruben Dias (6/10):

Sat the deepest of City's defenders and rarely troubled by Saints' shy attack.

Josko Gvardiol (8/10):

Used the ball very well to create attacks and shut them down, always looking composed.

Bernardo Silva (7/10):

Very aggressive with his pressing in the first half, repeatedly winning the ball back in the final third.

Mateo Kovacic (5/10):

Looked rusty, losing the ball too often. Had a hit-and-hope shot that Aaron Ramsdale pushed away.

Matheus Nunes (8/10):

Enjoying his new lease of life on the left wing, getting his third assist in two games and now understanding exactly what Guardiola wants from him.

Savinho (8/10):

Carved the visitors open on numerous occasions and looked like being the best source of the second goal.

Erling Haaland (5/10):

Got off to an ideal start but should have done far more with his seven shots, missing two sitters and having one cleared off the line.

Phil Foden (5/10):

Had a frustrating afternoon, getting very few shooting opportunities and often under-hitting passes.

Subs & Manager

Ilkay Gundogan (N/A):

Introduced late in the game to see it out.

John Stones (N/A):

Came on in the 95th minute.

Pep Guardiola (5/10):

Unexpectedly met his match in Russell Martin. Would have expected a far bigger win but the three points are worth the same and it will be at least two years without losing a home game in any competition.