Manchester City 2 Leicester City 0: City player ratings from a comfortable win for Manchester City | OneFootball

Manchester City 2 (Jack Grealish 2′, Omar Marmoush 29′)

Leicester City 0

Here are the City player ratings as Manchester City beat Leicester City 2-nil at the Etihad Stadium. Perhaps the biggest story to come of the game was Oscar Bobb’s return from an on-pitch point of view. Also, when the starting lineups were announced Nico O’Reilly was named to start at left-back after his impressive performance against Bournemouth and Jack Grealish appeared to be lining up in midfield. It was an attacking lineup named by Pep Guardiola and it was full of attacking potential to cover Erling Haaland’s absence.

Game summary.

The game had barely begun when Jack Grealish gave Manchester City the lead in the second minute. Savinho set up Grealish with a clever piece of play from the right wing and the England international beat Mads Hermansen in the Leicester City goal with a composed finish. Pep Guardiola’s side had made a bright start to the game, and it set the tone for the first half.

Manchester City dominated possession throughout the first half and it was a surprise that it took until the 29th minute for them to double their lead. They would make it 2-nil through Omar Marmoush. An error from Mads Hermansen gifted Marmoush the simplest of goals.

Although Manchester City created further openings in the first half they’d only take a 2-nil lead into the break. What stood out about City’s play was their high pressing and their possession play, at times, was reminiscent of Pep Guardiola’s side at their best. Leicester City barely offered a threat in the first half bar one shot from Bilal El Khannouss in the 20th minute which went inches wide of the City goal.

It was clear that after halftime that Leicester City had gone into damage-control mode. They sat deep and allowed Manchester City to dominate possession. There was a confidence in City’s possession play and at the 67th-minute mark of the second half Pep Guardiola’s side had 86% of the possession in the second half which demonstrated how the game was being played. The only disappointing part from a City point of view was they hadn’t created any clear-cut chances to go with their possession and territorial advantage.

The remainder of the game followed a similar pattern and when the final whistle came Manchester City had cruised to a 2-nil victory. It was a comfortable victory for Pep Guardiola’s side and one that saw them pick up a precious three points in their battle to secure Champions League qualification for next season. The City player ratings reflect Manchester City’s dominance on the night, although there wasn’t one player on the night who stood out above all others.

City player ratings

Ederson-6/10: Bar one Leicester City shot in the first half he was largely a spectator. However, he did play some nice passes in City’s possession game at times.

Matheus Nunes-7/10: A good showing from Nunes. Got forward well and offered something in possession.

Ruben Dias-7/10: He didn’t have a lot to do but did what he had to well.

Josko Gvardiol-7.5/10: Manchester City look more balanced with Gvardiol at centre-back and he put in a polished performance.

Nico O’Reilly-7.5/10: He earned his start and he showed that he belongs at the highest level. Not as impactful as his display against Bournemouth but he showed plenty.

Nico- 7/10: He adds composure to Manchester City’s midfield and did his job on the night.

Ilkay Gundogan-7/10: Another good performance from Gundogan which followed on from his good display at Bournemouth.

Jack Grealish-8/10: Grabbed a goal and looked lively playing in midfield and drifting around the pitch.

Jeremy Doku-7/10: He had moments when he dazzled and others when he was frustrating. But he did play well before he was substituted.

Savinho-7.5/10: He set up the opener for Jack Grealish and was lively throughout. Once he improves his finishing, he will become a world-class winger ,and that aspect of his play let him down at times.

Omar Marmoush-7.5/10: Scored a goal and was lively throughout.

Substitutes

James McAtee- N/A: Not on long enough to mark.

Oscar Bobb- N/A: Not on long enough to mark but it was fantastic to see him back on the pitch.

Vitor Reis- N/A: Not on long enough to mark.

Rico Lewis- N/A: Not on long enough to mark.