Here are the City player ratings as Manchester City had to fight back from 1-nil down to secure a 1-all draw with Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium. Rodri’s 83rd-minute equaliser cancelled out Raheem Sterling’s 42nd-minute opener for Chelsea.
Saturday’s Premier League encounter was a tale of two halves for the champions. Chelsea to their credit used their pace to get at the world champions and deservedly went into the break with a 1-nil lead. Manchester City dominated the second half and if it wasn’t for some poor finishing and some determined defending from Mauricio Pochettino’s side City would have taken home all three points. A draw was probably a fair result based on the performance of the two sides in each half.
The result sees Pep Guardiola’s side stay third in the Premier League table after Liverpool and Arsenal’s big wins on Saturday. Manchester City sit four points behind league leaders Liverpool after the draw but do have a game in hand.
City player ratings
Ederson-7/10: Made one stunning save in the second half to keep the score at 1-nil. Put his error against FC Copenhagen behind him to look back to his best at the Etihad.
Kyle Walker-6/10: He was caught out as Sterling cut inside to open the scoring for Chelsea. Like his team, he lifted in the second half and was a constant threat as the champions pushed forward.
Manuel Akanji-6/10: Not his best display but he toiled away for 90 minutes. His role of drifting into midfield became more important as City dominated the second half.
Ruben Dias-5.5/10: A strange display by Dias. He wasn’t necessarily poor but did appear guilty of trying too hard at times. He was caught out for Chelsea’s goal trying to make a challenge beyond the halfway which left space behind for Chelsea to exploit. Got better as the game wore on.
Nathan Ake-7/10: City’s best defender on the night. Made several vital challenges and tried to influence the game going forward.
Rodri-8/10: Once again put in an inspirational display. Never stopped trying and scored City’s equaliser late on. The champions would be lost without their midfield general.
Kevin De Bruyne-6.5/10: An almost game for De Bruyne. He almost equalised with a sublime free kick just after halftime. Almost set up several goals with pinpoint delivery but it wasn’t to be.
Phil Foden-6/10: Was on the periphery of the game playing out wide on the right. Got more involved once Bernardo Silva was introduced but couldn’t affect the game as he would’ve liked.
Julian Alvarez-4/10: Looked lost in midfield. Had several chances to score but wasn’t his best day in front of goal either.
Jeremy Doku-6/10: Arguably City’s biggest threat on the day besides De Bruyne playing out wide on the left. Not a perfect performance but he never stopped trying. Needs to improve his end product but can’t fault his effort.
Erling Haaland-4/10: A rare off day in front of goal from Haaland. Had several clear-cut chances but squandered them all. A reminder that he is human after all.
Substitutes
Bernardo Silva-6/10: Was introduced as City pressed for an equaliser. Can’t fault his effort but probably should have come on earlier to have a bigger effect on the game.
