Sunday 16 March 2008

City 2 - 0 Tottenham: Player Ratings

Hart: Andy Gray said he ‘wasn’t good enough’ to get to Keane’s goal – I’m not sure either way. Generally sound but with one or two unsure moments. 7

Corluka: Mistake raised fears over concentration, but solid after that, with both Malbranque and the centre forwards. Not too effective going forward. 6

Dunne: One of his best performances: why does he always save them for televised matches? No one would have known he was a doubt before the game. Held off Berbatov very well, and pretty good at keeping up with Keane too. 8

Onuoha: Rather rusty defensively, could not keep pace with Keane, distribution was poor. Took his goal well though. 6

Garrido: As well as he’s played for months: forced Ramos to withdraw Lennon after forty five minutes. Stretched Hutton on the overlap, although occasionally panicked when he gets into the opposition half. 7

Fernandes; Took a while to settle down – perhaps missed the influence of Hamann early on. Got into the game in the second half, energising a flagging midfield. 7

Johnson: Closer and closer to his September best. Very strong against Jenas and Zokora in midfield, linked well with Castillo and broke into the box well a few times. On another day could have scored a goal or two. 8

Ireland: Returned to the central midfield role he played so well at Old Trafford, hassled well and put some good passes together. Deserves credit for getting into the six yard box for his goal. 7

Castillo: Best game yet. Electric in the first half, especially linking with Johnson. Got into very good positions, probably ought to have done better but deserves credit. Really stretched the Spurs back four. Faded a bit in the second half. 8

Elano: Increasingly adept as a wing forward. A few nice touches and some very clever play. Two assists. What happens now Petrov is back? 7

Benjani: Not quite the Drogba-style front man we were hoping for – well contained by Woodgate – but impressive when pushed out wide. Made the first goal. 7


Vassell: Won the corner from which Onuoha scored. Squeezed ninety minutes of effort into twenty. One or two good touches as well. 7

Caicedo: Admirable willingness to get stuck in, although I would have been furious had we conceded from any of those right hand side free kicks (and we should have done). Had two chances - maybe could have done better? 6

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