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Manchester City 4-1 Sunderland: Player Ratings

Report cards for City's players after a big win on Boxing Day.

Jan Kruger/Getty Images

Joe Hart (6.5): Hart was lounging for much of the match. There was not much he could have done on the goal. Despite consistent play, Hart has not logged a clean sheet since early November.

Bacary Sagna (7.0): Sagna had to deal with Fabio Borini but was not really tested. He was solid going forward and is forming quite a strong partnership with Kevin De Bruyne on the right flank.

Nicolas Otamendi (7.0): The Argentine had a low-key outing as well, never forced to do anything spectacular. He made way for Vincent Kompany with about a half-hour remaining.

Eliaquim Mangala (7.0): Mangala was not pushed to his limits, but he handled any attacks the visitors managed to put together. He continues to be a lock in the starting XI, as Kompany is clearly not yet fit.

Aleksandar Kolarov (7.0): The left-back was not forced to bomb down the wing to supply offense but worked well with Raheem Sterling.

Yaya Toure (7.5): Toure provided another gem of a goal, firing a left-footed finish past Vito Mannone. He had a comfortable day knocking the ball about the pitch.

Fernandinho (7.5): Predictability can be a beautiful thing. The holding mid is steady game in and game out. Sunderland's offensive moves were not particularly daunting, but the Brazilian's tactics and reading of the game were spot-on.

Kevin De Bruyne (9.0): The kid was downright magical. His creativity in the final third qualifies as a work of art. Gaudy stats, awe-inspiring play. The opponent was a cellar dweller, but KDB was simply unstoppable.

David Silva (7.5): No. 21 is getting back into his groove. He and De Bruyne dismantled Sunderland in the middle of the park.

Raheem Sterling (7.5): He was unfazed by an early booking for simulation, scoring the opener and turning in a fine performance.

Wilfried Bony (7.5): Bony served as a reliable target up top and scored a lovely header. He missed a penalty, but City had an unassailable lead at that point.

Substitutes:

Vincent Kompany (N/A): The skipper was forced to exit the match shortly after replacing Otamendi. He is dealing with a calf injury.

Fabian Delph (7.0): Delph was a legitimate contributor off the bench. He saw about 30 minutes of action out there.

Martin Demichelis (6.5): He came on for the injured Kompany and was not exactly thrown into a tense match. This game was rare in that City fans got to see all four of the prominent center-backs on the roster.