Manchester City made it four Carabao Cup wins in a row as they edged Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 at Wembley on Sunday afternoon. Here are our City player ratings from the game:
Starting XI
Zack Steffen: 6/10
Had nothing to do in the first half. Tipped a Lo Celso effort around the post early on in the second 45 and that proved to be the only real save he had to make.
Kyle Walker: 6/10
Barely touched the ball in the first half as City dominated but attacked down the left. Did well to get back and cover when Hojbjerg was found in the box after a quick Spurs counter.
Ruben Dias: 7/10
Great tackle on Kane to stop a Spurs counter-attack, although it was somehow given as a foul. Kane and Son barely had a sniff, although the Portuguese defender looked comfortable, he was dominant in everything he needed to do.
Aymeric Laporte: 7/10
Fortunate to not get an early booking after losing the ball to Lucas Moura and dragging him down when he could have countered. Eventually was shown a yellow card for scything down Moura again when he was running forward dangerously. Opened the scoring with a great header from De Bruyne’s cross, which proved to be the winner.
Joao Cancelo: 7/10
A lot of City’s play was going down the left-hand side in the first half and the Portuguese international was heavily involved. Denied by a flying save from Lloris after being found by Mahrez on the edge of the box. Did well to tackle Kane when he threatened to break into the box before picking out Foden to kick start a counter. Defended really well when he had to and looked excellent going forward.
Fernandinho: 6/10
Lovely through ball to set up Sterling but his clipped shot went wide. Picked up a Fernandinho-esque booking for stopping Hojbjerg on the counter. Headed straight at Lloris after a great ball into the box. Replaced by Rodri with 10 minutes remaining.
Ilkay Gundogan: 6/10
Helped to dictate play in the first 45 but didn’t get forward as much as we’re used to seeing him do. Couldn’t quite get enough contact on a cross from Mahrez and headed over the bar. Volleyed well wide after being found in the box by Sterling.
Kevin De Bruyne: 7/10
A superb pass was inches away from finding Sterling, the Belgian was regularly found in excellent positions in the first half and his crosses were as dangerous as ever. Surprisingly wasteful when found in the area by Mahrez early in the second half. Great ball in from a free-kick for Laporte to score the opening goal. Replaced by Bernardo Silva late on.
Phil Foden: 8/10
Turned Sterling’s cross just wide, did well to rob Alderweireld to set up an early chance. Good quick thinking to set up Sterling for a great chance, but his effort was blocked. Came very close to opening the scoring when his shot was blocked onto the post by Alderweireld. Involved in so many of the good things that City did at Wembley and the £63m-rated “superstar” was a thorn in Spurs’ side throughout.
Riyad Mahrez: 7/10
So close to opening the scoring after a delightful touch from Cancelo’s cross-field pass with his curled effort only just wide of Lloris’ goal. Hits another great effort inches over just a few minutes later. A superb run and shot saw him denied by Lloris.
Raheem Sterling: 5/10
Had a great early opportunity after a loose pass from Son but was slow to get a shot away and was tackled by Aurier. Did well to set up an early chance for Foden after turning Aurier inside the area. Had another great chance to open the scoring but saw his shot blocked by Dier. Perhaps a little too greedy late on as he regularly tried to get a goal rather than passing to his teammates. Played better than in recent weeks but once again, he lacked the finishing touch.
Subs
Rodri: 6/10
Helped to see the game out late on.
Bernardo Silva: 6/10
Had a lot of touches despite only playing the last few minutes, he helped City to secure their win.
And, in other news… Guardiola dealt huge blow as “genius” superstar edges closer to agreement