Had little to do for much of the first half and was helpless for the deflected equaliser. Reacted sharply after the break to keep out Quilindschy Hartman’s strike.
Matheus Nunes – 7.5
Delivered one of the game’s highlights with a superb volley from Erling Haaland’s knock-down. Later turned creator with the cross that led to Maxime Esteve’s second own goal. A very bright showing from the midfielder-turned-full-back.
Ruben Dias – 6.5
Solid for most of the game, but the centre-back was unlucky to see Jaidon Anthony’s effort deflect off him into the net. Helped Manchester City keep control defensively after that setback.
Josko Gvardiol – 7
Rarely tested by Burnley’s attack, the Croatian international was steady at the back and contributed going forward, providing the cross for Erling Haaland’s knock-down that set up Matheus Nunes’ volley.
Nico O’Reilly – 7
Combined effectively with Jeremy Doku on the left, and that flank became Manchester City’s most dangerous outlet. His link-up play ensured Pep Guardiola’s side kept stretching Burnley’s defensive shape.
Nico – 7
The midfielder struggled to dictate tempo in the way Manchester City have grown accustomed to under Rodri – a largely impossible task for any other midfielder to replicate. Without that same level of control, Burnley were able to find moments to grow into the game.
Tijjani Reijnders – 6.5
Made purposeful forward runs that hinted at danger but couldn’t quite deliver the final ball. His influence faded as Manchester City shifted the momentum through Erling Haaland and Matheus Nunes in the second half.
Phil Foden – 7.5
Busy in the early exchanges and had a hand in the move that led to Maxime Esteve’s first own goal, but his impact diminished as the game wore on. Lacked the decisive spark in the final third.
Savinho – 6
Began brightly in Manchester City’s fast start, showing flashes of pace and intent, but his influence quickly waned. Substituted early as Pep Guardiola reshuffled to find greater attacking thrust.
Erling Haaland – 8.5
Clinical as ever, Erling Haaland showed his trademark ruthlessness by netting twice in the closing minutes. He also played a key role earlier, setting up Matheus Nunes with a clever knock-down. Standard procedure really from the big man.
Jeremy Doku – 8.5 (Player of the Match)
Bright and direct down the wing, Jeremy Doku’s early low strike forced the error that led to Maxime Esteve’s first own goal. He continued to test Burnley with his pace and drew another strong save from Martin Dubravka. This is a new form of the Belgian, and it’s hugely exciting!
Substitutes
Oscar Bobb – 6.5
Lively when involved, Oscar Bobb’s run into the box and shot contributed to Manchester City’s fourth goal, though it ultimately went down as Maxime Esteve’s own goal.
Nathan Ake – 6
With Manchester City in firm control late on, Nathan Ake enjoyed a quiet but assured finish to the contest, keeping things tidy and closing out the result without fuss.
Made a smart save from Quilindschy Hartman to prevent Burnley going in front but was otherwise untroubled. Did send a pass straight out which underlined his lack of distribution but right now his shot-stopping is doing all the talking.
Matheus Nunes (7/10):
A performance of two halves. Culpable for the equaliser as he was too slow to stop the cross but he made two crucial interventions after the break: blocking a goal-bound shot from Lyle Foster before rifling City back in front.
Ruben Dias (5/10):
Not his most comfortable display. Struggled to handle Burnley's breaks and diverted Anthony's shot straight in.
Josko Gvardiol (6/10):
More assured than his centre-back partner even though he was the one to get substituted.
Nico O'Reilly (6/10):
Another demonstration of his physical prowess with a touch of technical class to boot.
Phil Foden (7/10):
Another strong performance. Pounced quickly to force Esteve into action for the first goal and pulled the strings as City eventually got the job done.
Nico Gonzalez (6/10):
A steady performance in the absence of Rodri, moving the ball about well and doing things the simple way.
Tijjani Reijnders (5/10):
Didn't influence the game as he can and didn't get in many dangerous positions.
Savinho (6/10):
Threatened a lot early on as his twisting runs stretched Burnley's defence. Lacked end product and was removed for Bobb.
Erling Haaland (7/10):
It was a long time coming but Haaland still delivered when it mattered. He laid the ball off for Nunes' all-important goal but craved goals of his own. After being denied by Martin Dubravka he got two in added time, each with a typically ruthless finish.
Jeremy Doku (8/10):
City's most important player by a distance. Gave Kyle Walker a rough time on his return to the Etihad Stadium and played a big role in the first goal before setting up Haaland for his first.
Subs & Manager
Oscar Bobb (7/10): A brilliant cameo. Looked to have scored three minutes after coming on although the goal was given to the hapless Esteve.
Nathan Ake (6/10): Made sure Burnley stood no chance of a comeback.
Rico Lewis (N/A): Replaced Reijnders in the 83rd minute.
Bernardo Silva (N/A): An 83rd-minute replacement for O'Reilly.
Pep Guardiola (6/10): Don't be fooled by the scoreline, this was far from an easy win. He was unfortunate not to count on Rodri due to fitness issues and although he will not be pleased with the first half performance his changes led to a big improvement.
Gianluigi Donnarumma-6/10: Didn’t do anything wrong in goal. Made one good save and could do nothing about Burnley’s goal.
Matheus Nunes-7.5/10: Grabbed an assist and scored a goal. Did what he had to do in possession well. Defensively, he needs to improve regarding his positioning.
Ruben Dias-6.5/10: Did the job he was required to do throughout the full 90 minutes.
Josko Gvardiol-7/10: I thought Gvardiol was Manchester City’s best defensive player before he was taken off in the 70th minute. He won his headers well and was a threat in possession.
Nico O’Reilly-7/10: A good performance from O’Reilly. Defended well and got forward with intent, where he and Doku combined well when City had possession.
Nico-7.5/10: I liked Nico’s game as he read the game well and helped City dominate possession.
Tijjani Reijnders-6.5/10: Had some quality moments, but his end product was lacking. Did his job well before he was substituted.
Phil Foden-7.5/10: Another good performance from Foden. Played a key role in several of Manchester City’s goals and is building into this season well.
Savinho-5/10: A poor performance from Savinho. Didn’t affect the game as he would have liked.
Jeremy Doku-9/10: Manchester City’s man-of-the-match in my opinion. Doku was a constant threat with the ball at his feet and on form, he is probably the best winger in the Premier.
Erling Haaland-8.5/10: Scored a brace and grabbed an assist. He was subdued until he scored a late brace.
Substitutes
Oscar Bobb-7/10: Gave Manchester City a threat on the right wing after replacing Savinho. A good display off the bench from Bobb.
Got down low to make a fine save to thwart Maghnes Akliouche in the first shot he faced aside from Teze's rocket.
John Stones (6/10):
Deployed in an unfamiliar role of right-back, where he last played in 2023. Played inside a lot, giving the team control in possession but not a lot of width.
Ruben Dias (6/10):
Swept up well when Folarin Balogun raced in behind him.
Josk Gvardiol (7/10):
Produced a sublime pass that no Monaco player was expecting to set up Haaland's first. Looked pretty comfortable in defence and produced some dazzling footwork in the opposing box as City looked for a late winner.
Nico O'Reilly (8/10):
An all-action display, popping up all over the pitch be it to cause danger down the left, give his team-mates options or make a last-ditch tackle. Got an assist for Haaland's header.
Rodri (7/10):
Controlled the game in his usual way and good play from him set the team in motion to score first. Got a booking and went over after contact in the ribs and he was taken off soon after.
Tijjani Reijnders (6/10):
Another game where he didn't do a whole lot although he got in three good shooting positions. He wasted the first with a skied effort, then hammered the bar and later narrowly missing the near post.
Bernardo Silva (6/10):
Took up a deeper, supporting role on his return to the club that properly launched his career. Worked his socks off and let others do the damage. Booked in the aftermath of the dispute over the penalty.
Phil Foden (8/10):
Another mesmeric display. Drove City forward countless times and was inches away from scoring with a cracking, crossbar-bothering effort.
Erling Haaland (9/10):
At his very best in his favourite competition. Prodded ball into the net with his first touch then pulled off a stunning header, doing all the hard work to get power on a tame cross. Was hungry for a hat-trick and nearly got it with a ferocious strike tipped away by Philipp Köhn.
Jeremy Doku (6/10):
Lively at the start even if he didn't give Monaco loads to worry about but slowed down in the second half and was taken off early.
Subs & Manager
Nico Gonzalez (5/10):
Gave the penalty away with a dangerous high foot, even if he made contact with the ball.
Savinho (6/10):
Gave Monaco a few scares with his pace but lacked the final touch.
Matheus Nunes (6/10):
Gave City more width after replacing Stones.
Pep Guardiola (5/10):
Will be pleased with most of the display but difficult not to feel that his substitutes played into Monaco's hands.
Made a huge save in the second half to deny Thiago, distribution looked shaky at times but didn’t cause problems.
Matheus Nunes – 5.5
Careless passes in the second half and a couple of defensive errors but nothing too drastic.
Ruben Dias – 7
Did what was needed defensively and led the team to a third Premier League clean sheet this season .
Josko Gvardiol – 6.5
Lovely assist for Haaland once again, looked uncomfortable defensively at times.
Nico O’Reilly – 7
Didn’t really put a foot wrong, good performance again.
Rodri – 6
Good until his unfortunate injury after 20 minutes, hopefully not a serious blow.
Tijjani Reijnders – 7
Solid performance from The Dutchman and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet in the first half.
Phil Foden – 6.5
Was wasteful in front of goal in first half and almost a ghost in the second, unable to add to his six goals in last four appearances away to Brentford.
Oscar Bobb – 7.5
Focal point of attack on the right flank, unlucky not to get an assist or two.
Savinho – 6
End product was poor but did well to get past defenders
Erling Haaland – 8
Only one shot in the game but clinical to get another goal, did his job.
Substitutes
Nico Gonzalez – 7
Called into action after Rodri’s early injury, solid in midfield and looked good defensively.
Bernardo Silva – 6.5
Helped the team out to hold onto the lead in final 15 minutes.
Jeremy Doku – 7
Showed bright sparks as he has done so much for the club, seems to have been given a rest for today’s game.
A passenger for the most part but showed exactly why he was chosen as the man to replace Ederson with a sprawling save to deny Thiago early in the second half, which ultimately proved a pivotal point in the contest.
Matheus Nunes (6/10):
Another outing at right-back with little to shout about either way. Didn't get overly involved in possession but wasn't rinsed going the other way.
Ruben Dias (7/10):
Oozed confidence even when trying to keep up with the electric pace of Schade, which you couldn't say about the Manchester United defenders who visited Brentford last week.
Josko Gvardiol (7/10):
Played the pass which Haaland took in stride to score early doors. Held his own in the high line all throughout the first half but opened it up singlehandedly at the start of the second when he failed to deal with the presence and physicality of Thiago. Notably dropped a shade in confidence thereafter.
Nico O'Reilly (7/10):
Growing into the left-back role with each passing week. Unlucky not to have registered an assist for Reijnders in the first half when he picked the Dutchman out with a pinpoint cross.
Rodri (N/A):
The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner's injury struggles continued, having to be withdrawn midway through the first half.
Tijjani Reijnders (6/10):
Epitomised City's superior technical levels in midfield with a series of dribbles out of tight areas, though these seldom hurt Brentford too much. Replaced by Silva for the final 15 minutes.
Phil Foden (6/10):
Involved in almost every positive move City had in the first half, but was much quieter after the break as the visitors struggled to find a second goal.
Oscar Bobb (6/10):
Played an almost identical game to Foden, dancing his way past defenders and creating havoc in the opening 45 minutes before being muzzled after the break. Subbed for Doku.
Erling Haaland (8/10):
What would City do without him, eh? Now scored at 22 of the 23 Premier League stadiums he's played in (Anfield is his only blemish) and just six goals away from joining the division's 100 Club.
Savinho (5/10):
Fresh from signing a new long-term contract, the Brazilian showed glimpses of his talent in transition, but didn't tangibly give Brentford too much to be scared of.
Subs & Manager
Nico Gonzalez (6/10):
Came on in the first half for the injured Rodri. City controlled much of the game either way despite the prolonged absence of their more famous Spanish midfielder.
Jeremy Doku (5/10):
On for Bobb for the last quarter of an hour. Didn't contribute much with City seemingly happy to settle for the one-goal lead.
Bernardo Silva (5/10):
Replaced Reijnders, though like Doku was rarely involved.
Pep Guardiola (6/10):
It was a tale of two halves for City, who looked a cut above in attack early on and then shut up shop to keep Brentford from truly threatening with the clock winding down. Now up to 250 Premier League wins in his career.
Produced a string of vital saves when called upon and was comfortable when asked to play from the back. Loving life in Manchester.
Matheus Nunes – 8/10
One of Nunes’ best displays in Manchester City colours and for a player criticised for being error-prone last term, he has cleaned his act and is earning Guardiola’s trust with every passing appearance.
Ruben Dias – 7/10
Won his duels and commanded the backline, solid as ever.
Nathan Ake – 6/5/10
Looked rusty in the first half on his first Premier League start since February but nothing that wasn’t expected from a player who has spent as much time with injury as Ake.
Nico O’Reilly – 8/10
Rayan Ait-Nouri has a very difficult job on his hands to displace Nico O’Reilly from the starting XI – is the best way to put how indispensable O’Reilly has become for Guardiola. Rolls-royce.
Nico Gonzalez – 8/10
One of City’s best players this season and keeps proving himself as a reliable stand-in for Rodri with every game he plays. Colossal in midfield and hardly put a foot wrong.
Tijjani Reijnders – 7/10
He’s yet to find his Wolves self and his finishing needs improvement because he is getting in the right positions but his decision-making has let him down since his fast start to life at the Etihad Stadium.
Savinho – 7.5/10
Slowly getting back to playing regularly, having spent the first few weeks of the season out injured. Terrorised Mykolenko and was a real avenue for City to attack, got his rewards by setting up Haaland for the second.
Phil Foden – 7.5/10
Didn’t register a goal contribution but was at the heart of the best of City’s attacking play and had the courage to drop deep and demand the ball in tight areas when the Blues were struggling to break Everton down.
Jeremy Doku – 7/10
Doku is as confident as he has ever been in a Manchester City shirt and he left no stone unturned in trying to make something happen from his side this afternoon. Erling Haaland – 9/10
No words needed. Stupidly good.
Substitutes
Oscar Bobb – 6.5/10
Helped keep the ball late on and did well to combine with the likes of Bernardo Silva and Foden in the closing minutes.
Bernardo Silva – 7/10
Ran his socks off and won the ball back for City in key areas. El Capitan.
Sep 28 2025, 02:18 AM
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