Player ratings: Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City

Hart – Not as busy as last year, but still required to pull off more top class saves than the scoreline suggests. 8

Zabaleta (Richards 63 mins) – Did an excellent job keeping Bale quiet. Good to see Pablo get his first start and should be sharper with a few more. 7

Kompany – Reliable and determined to keep on top of Crouch’s threat. Kept focussed till the end. 8

Lescott – Did well against Van der Vaart and nullified Crouch, just as he did at Eastlands last season. 8

Clichy – Always likely to be selected to play against the pace of Lennon. Once again fitted in superbly linking up with Nasri and getting the balance between defending and attacking spot on. 8

Barry – Looking sharper than at any point in his City career. Covered well for full-backs and played some excellent incisive passes. 8

Y Toure – Made more passes (over 90) during the game than anyone in the Premier League so far. Looks so much fitter than last season and dictated play from the deeper role. 8

Aguero (Savic 74 mins) – Execellent movement and link-up play once again, capped off with a superb goal. 8

Nasri – Three assists constitute a fantastic debut. Looks like he will revel in Mancini’s fluid attack. 8

Silva – Not as eye-catching as last week, but still excellent and became increasingly influential. Surely a shoe-in for Premier League player of the month. 7

Dzeko – Showed the value of a striker whose movement sees them get on the end of crosses. Then capped his day off with a supreme individual strike. 9

Subs:

Richards – Slightly surprising to see him on the bench and threw himself into the fray when he did get on. 7

Savic – A little too eager to get on, but once again didn’t look out of place as he steps up to the pace of the Premier League. 7

Man of the match: Edin Dzeko.

Verdict: Bolton Wanderers 2 Manchester City 3
Verdict: Tottenham Hotspur 1 Manchester City 5

Comments

  1. A superb display ONCE City went ahead. A couple of the early scores were down to bad mistakes with Spurs gifting possession when in good attacking positions. Hart, and Kompany were calmly assured throughout.

    Where was Bale – especially in the first 25minutes?

    What was Lennon thinking as he approached the sideline when he was forced to retire injured – that look up to the stand rather than into the eyes of his manager, possibly betrayed him but he worked hard defending. Spurs newly recruited Spanish winger may spark some new and optimistic life into the team.

    For a change De Foe was lively and unlucky not to score.

    Looking good for City on all counts and what a superbly gifted panal to contest all competitions. Well done.

    From a Spurs supporter (since 1963).

  2. Don’t often disagree with your marks but I reckon each of the front four deserve another point each. Crickey Blue Days, what does a player have to do to get a ten above scoring four goals and be part of an attack described as being like Barca?!!! Harsh mate!

  3. If there is an occasion that a player should get, then this is it. Dzeko gets a 10

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