Man City vs Hull (A) – Player Ratings
By Ben Clarke
Hull 2 (Mangala OG, Abel Hernandez) – Man City 4 (Aguero, Dzeko (2), Lampard)
It didn’t come easy at all, due to a few isolated defensive blunders – but Man City got their 4-2 win against Hull in the end, fighting against a resilient Hull side that wouldn’t give up at any point in the 90.
DEFENCE:
Willy Caballero: 7 – Had no chance with the Mangala own goal, the header taking the ball too quickly into the opposite side the Argentinian keeper had expected. Second goal was a penalty, so no judgement can be passed onto the keeper for that. Came into City’s side this summer with a reputation as an experienced shot-stopper, and the match showed some evidence of it. A few good saves complemented by some very good positioning.
Pablo Zabaleta: 7 – Largely consistent as ever, but Robertson on Hull’s left side caused him a few pace-related problems. Robertson had the chance to whip in a few good crosses, but nothing came of them, mostly due to Pablo’s continued pressure. Definitely improved in the second half to support the attack when chasing the three points, as shown with his assist to Frank Lampard for the final goal.
Despite conceding twice in the first half, Vinnie and Co defended well in the after the break.
Vincent Kompany: 8 – Was rarely troubled by Hull, with most of Hull’s attacking threat dripping through Mangala. Vinnie’s main asset to the defence in hard-fought games like this is the calming presence he provides, particularly when the likes of Mangala (and Clichy to an extent) were looking a bit out of it. Always confident that when Elmohamady, Rosenior or Robertson played the ball into the box, Kompany was favourite for it.
Eliaquim Mangala: 5 – After such a promising start last week against Chelsea, Mangala looked off the pace of the Premier League, putting in risky challenges and often looking around himself in panic. Obviously his game will be characterised by the own goal and penalty he conceded, which were both naive moves from someone who has played in Portugal’s top division for a few years now.
However, thankfully, he improved in the second half and got somewhat close to his level against Chelsea. Hopefully this match was a learning experience for Eliaquim.
Eliaquim Mangala had a game to forget against Hull, but will look to be back to his best against Roma mid-week.
Gael Clichy: 6 – Although Mangala will get most of the blame for the first Hull goal (given he hit it into the net after all), but Clichy was incredibly disappointing in the build up to the goal, getting utterly mauled by Liam Rosenior before the English right back played the ball in. Apart from that, Gael was alright and didn’t give the Hull right side too much luck.
I personally prefer Aleks Kolarov, particularly in games where the opposition will be defending pretty tightly.
MIDFIELD:
James Milner: 7 – Wasn’t great when near the goal, blasting a few chances over the bar when a bit of finesse would suffice. Got moved around a fair bit throughout the game, and looked like a natural in each one. Still one of the league’s most underrated players.
Fernandinho: 6 – Was competent in midfield, but not incredibly impressive. Came off with what might have been a slight injury, to be replaced by Jesus Navas.
Yaya Toure: 7 – Finally getting something close to his best. Unlike the Bayern game, he looked up for both defending and making attacking runs, using his strength to navigate the Hull’s two large central midfielders. Like the Chelsea game, he pulled off a few great balls and was good at building up the Man City attacks with some link-up passes. Soon he’ll be at his best, I hope.
David Silva: 8 – Was pretty wick against Chelsea, which marked the first game in a long time David Silva didn’t provide for Man City. This week he returned to his wizarding best, conjuring up genius passes to Dzeko and Aguero and bamboozling Hull’s defence and midfield. When City had an attacking move, Silva’s fingerprints were all over it.
ATTACK:
Sergio Aguero: 8 – I just love watching Aguero play. At the minute, Man City are benefiting from an Aguero blessed with a run of injuryless performances, and when he is fit, he’s almost unplayable. His shoved and bullyed the Hull defence and exhibited his attacking instincts with his first goal, a half volley hammered past McGregor without so much as a glance.
Came close a few times, but was unlucky not to get another. If he’s fit for the whole season, he’s a definite contender for the Golden Boot.
Edin Dzeko got his first Premier League goal of the season against a Hull side struggling to cope with his and Aguero’s link up play.
Edin Dzeko: 8 – For the first time in a long while, it didn’t take me slagging off Dzeko for him to score. Against Hull, he got on the scoresheet early with a world class finish from the edge of the box, which made me gasp given Dzeko’s usual penchant for tapping the ball into the net, not firing one in from a tough angle like that. Deserved a reward for some good build up play with Silva and Aguero throughout, and eventually did, doing well to squeeze the ball past McGregor to put City ahead.
SUBSTITUTES:
Jesus Navas: 6 – Pulled Hull out wider than Milner did when he was out right, giving a tired Hull even more to think about than before. Always better just coming on as a sub against weary legs than starting.
Frank Lampard: 7 – Might be starting to regret moving to the US so early given how well he’s been doing for Man City recently. 4 goals in his last three is a record worthy of any starting striker, never mind an aging midfielder who often comes on as a sub. Wouldn’t oppose Pellegrini extending his stay at the Etihad. Not sure how Chelsea fans would react though…
Martin Demichelis: 7 – Put in a Lionel Messi-esque performance as per usual, slaloming around the entire Hull team on more than one occasion to prove why he’s up for the Ballon D’Or this season…
I’m joking, but Marty came on and did his job as well as anyone could – protect the backline in the dying minutes. It’ll be sad to see such a talented cult hero possibly leave at the end of the season, but it’ll have to happen sometime. We won’t see a player like him at City for a while.