Manchester City vs West Ham - player ratings
Standard Sport assesses the individual performances from West Ham's 2-1 win over Manchester City at Etihad Stadium.
Joe Hart: 7
Could do little about the goals but as West Ham’s game became more focused on counter attacks his speed off his line helped foil two chances that could have ended the tie
Bacary Sagna: 6
Motored up and down the right like a man much younger than his 32 years. But West Ham were happy to leave the ball with him, confident that his looping crosses played into their plan.
Nicolas Otamendi: 6
The supremely coiffed centre-back brought style on the pitch, tackling well and dominating in the air. At times struggled to keep up with Sakho’s pacey running but showed plenty to encourage City fans on his debut.
Eliaquim Mangala: 7
Another City defender to fall to injury, but it was a good 45 minutes from the young Frenchman. One diving tackle on Sakho in particular helped keep City from a 3-0 deficit.
Aleksandar Kolarov: 3
It is no exaggeration to say he was mostly responsible for both of West Ham’s early goals, giving Moses too much space before conceding an unnecessary corner. After such a bright start to the season it was bizarre to see how swiftly he became a defensive liability.
Fernandinho: 5
Too often found himself bypassed on the counter as the direct running of Lanzini, Noble and Payet took them beyond City’s anchorman. Passed the ball neatly as City dominated the second period but offered little to nothing going forward.
Yaya Toure: 6
Drove forward with abandon as City chased a comeback, and West Ham often struggled with his late runs and presence outside the area. At his best he would surely have found the net with at least one of his many opportunities.
Jesus Navas: 7
Full of direct running, his battle with Cresswell was one of the stand-out aspects of the game. Unfortunately for David Silva’s replacement he could never quite bring the killer pass his compatriot guarantees.
Kevin De Bruyne: 8
A very bright start for City’s record signing, he displayed an excellent passing range and his penchant for a gorgeous cross. Looked the most likely to make something for the hosts, which he proved with a well-taken first goal.
Raheem Sterling: 5
A lack of end-product hindered the winger, who was kept under the cosh by a quite excellent display from Jenkinson. Never stopped running and probing, but there was a reason he was the first attacker to make way.
Sergio Aguero: 4
100 per cent fit? Doubtful. The Argentine striker looked off the pace in the opening period, spurning several chances a fully-motoring Aguero would have tucked away with ease.
Martin Demichelis: 6
A half-time replacement for the injured Mangala, he had little chance to make an impact in a period dominated by City’s attacking travails.
SNAPSHOT: Kevin De Bruyne fires in his first goal for #MCFC (1-2) http://t.co/PUdnwN1WSG pic.twitter.com/mJjNDUXUYO
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) September 19, 2015
West Ham
Adrian: 8
When called upon he showed himself to be more than up to the task of keeping City’s superstars at bay. Made two vital blocks low at the near post from Aguero before a remarkable save from an Otamendi header.
Carl Jenkinson: 8
Several rollicking runs down the right gave West Ham plenty of purpose out wide, but what made the Arsenal loanee’s performance all the more impressive was the way he came back to deal with Sterling.
Winston Reid: 8
A truly excellent display in defence, almost every cross City fired in seemed to be powered to safety by the strong and sturdy Reid.
James Tomkins: 7
Where his colleague was rock-solid when City came forward Tomkins was equally reliable whilst showing an ability to start counters of his own. He passed well and threw himself in the way of any
Aaron Cresswell: 6
There was a period in the second half where Navas seemed to ease past the full-back whenever he had the ball and Cresswell struggled with the direct running of City’s wideman.
Pedro Obiang: 7
The rock on which Bilic built his victory. Won the ball back with more than one excellent tackle, and added to the display with an admittedly bumbling assist for West Ham’s second.
Mark Noble: 7
A captain’s display from the newly-armbanded midfielder. He was crucial in getting his side’s counters going, showing an almost telepathic link with Sakho that helped him find the forward just when he peeled into space.
Victor Moses: 8
All his West Ham debut had lacked was a goal. He got that within 10 minutes to kick start an excellent display on the right. He already showed good understanding with Jenkinson, cutting in to give his colleague room to operate.
Manuel Lanzini: 6
An able supporting partner in West Ham’s sallies forward, running back and forward as and when required. Rarely had opportunities to make telling contributions to the game, but never let Bilic down.
Dimitri Payet: 7
On countless occasions he was in position to claim the defence’s clearances, from where he would run with menace or move the ball further forward with accuracy. Exactly what West Ham needed with their backs to the walls.
Diafra Sakho: 7
His poacher’s goal was just rewards for a performance in which he consistently dragged all three central defenders City used out of position.
ArticleManchester City vs West Ham - player ratingsWest Ham UnitedManchester City vs West Ham - player ratingsPublishedImageMedium widthSaturday, September 19, 2015 - 19:28Travel smart: West Ham have won away at Arsenal, Liverpool and now Manchester CityOn