Here are the City player ratings as Manchester City moved to the top of the Premier League with a 5-1 win over Luton Town at the Etihad Stadium. The emphatic win sees the champions move to the top of the league table and put pressure on Liverpool and Arsenal, who are both in action tomorrow.
Manchester City dominated the game, and the scoreline reflected their dominance. The only surprise was that it took so long for the floodgates to open. After the world champions took the lead in the 2nd minute courtesy of a Daiki Hasioka own goal, it looked like it would be a case of how big City’s win would be.
But following the early goal, Luton Town dug in and got to the interval facing only a 1-nil deficit. A combination of poor finishing from Manchester City and determined defending from the Hatters prevented the champions from adding to their lead.
The second half appeared to be heading down a similar path before a Mateo Kovacic wonderstrike doubled City’s advantage in the 64th minute. A well worked corner saw Julian Alvarez pick out the Croatian who unleashed an unstoppable volley to put City 2-up.
A third goal would come for Pep Guardiola’s side in the 76th minute courtesy of an Erling Haaland penalty. Jeremy Doku was brought down in the box after a dazzling run. Haaland expertly dispatched the penalty to cap off a good performance from City’s number 9.
The hosts then gifted Luton Town a goal moments later in the 81st minute. An unfortunate Matheus Nunes slip allowed Ross Barkley to pounce, and the England international made no mistake to make it 3-1 and give the visitors faint hope of a comeback.
That hope was quickly snuffed out by Jeremy Doku in the 87th minute. After a sweeping City move, the Belgian winger used his trickery to dazzle the Luton Town defence before his cool finish settled the game. Doku deserved the goal for his bright display across the entire game.
There was time for one more for Manchester City, and Josko Gvardiol provided it with another sumptuous right-footed finish to add his second stunning strike of the week. Manchester City’s Rolls Royce expertly dispatched a Jeremy Doku layoff into the top left-hand corner to cap an emphatic City win.
Here are the City player ratings from a comfortable win for Pep Guardiola’s side.
City player ratings
Ederson-6.5/10: Made one good save in the second half and could do little about Ross Barkley’s goal. His passing game was spot on in a good return for Ederson.
Rico Lewis-7/10: Did all that was asked of him at right-back. An accomplished display from Lewis.
Manuel Akanji-6.5/10: Rarely called upon at the back but did his role well when required.
Ruben Dias-6.5/10: A similar performance to that of Akanji. Though Dias was a threat in possession on occasion.
Josko Gvardiol-8/10: Another sublime performance from Gvardiol. He capped it off with another stunning right-footed strike. A monster of a player.
Mateo Kovacic-8/10: Scored a wonder goal to make to 2-nil. Another polished display from the Croatian.
Matheus Nunes-6/10: Nunes unfortunately gave away possession that led to Luton Town’s goal. He wasn’t bad but does appear to need a decisive moment as a Manchester City player to lift his confidence.
Kevin De Bruyne-8/10: Arguably City’s man-of-the-match alongside Mateo Kovacic or Jeremy Doku. He created a host of chances, but his teammates couldn’t finish them. Looks primed for the visit of Real Madrid next week.
Julian Alvarez-6.5/10: He toiled away as usual, but his final touch was just off. The Argentinian did pick up an assist for the wonder goal scored by Mateo Kovacic.
Jeremy Doku-8.5/10: His most impactful performance for some time. Doku was a constant threat to the Luton Town defence, and he was rewarded with a sublime strike in the 87th minute.
Erling Haaland-7/10: His movement was superb all game, and he was rewarded with a goal. Missed an early chance, but his wild attempt from the ensuing rebound resulted in City’s opener.
Substitutes
Oscar Bobb-N/A: Not on long enough to mark.
Sergio Gomez-N/A: Not on long enough to mark.
