Manchester City 4-2 Borussia Mönchengladbach: Player Ratings

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JOE HART - 6

We didn't see much of him today, especially in the second half but he was left hopeless for both goals. His distribution has improved bounds since Pellegrini came in and that long kick for De Bruyne in the first half has become a custom of his.

GAEL CLICHY - 6

A strange game from a strange player in a strange position. Stood well defensively out-wide and offered himself in attacking transitions yet failed to produce anything offensively. Left Otamendi exposed but played a part in the messy build-up for Sterling's first.

NICOLAS OTAMENDI - 5

I'm starting to lose patience with Otamendi. From those who know me on Twitter they'll tell you I'm not a fan of the Argentinian. He was probably at fault for both goals; needlessly storming out of the back in a way reminiscent of Kompany at his very worst. I stated my disapproval when he was linked and I've waited to be proved wrong. I'm not writing him off just yet because Demichelis and injuries to Kompany haven't been kind to him but I just feel he has to start showing more if he wants to play over our best partnership.

ELIAQUIM MANGALA - 6

A quiet, assured game from Mangala who showed good intelligence when Borussia were through. Stepped up higher up the pitch in the second half and passed well.

ALEKSANDER KOLAROV - 8

Most praise that is usually attributed to Kolarov doesn't reach past his thunderbolt of a left foot. Kolarov doesn't score many goals, wastes a lot of free-kicks yet that's considered his forte. While defensively susceptible in the first half, as always with Aleks, he was fantastic in the final third. His close control, build-up play with Sterling and those delightful little knocks past oncoming players are a joy to behold at times.

FERNANDINHO - 7

A relaxed, more defensive game from Fernandinho who looked like he was holding himself back - and not because of a lack of defensive midfielders on the pitch. He's played an awful amount of football this season and you do hope another midfielder will come in in January to share his work-load.

YAYA TOURE - 7

Another good game from Yaya who seems to have finally found himself in Europe. No longer relied on and asked to do the job of two, he has flourished with two hard-working midfielders alongside him. His defensive responsibilities are diminished and he can quietly influence a game from deep, as he did when Borussia Monchengladbach began to tire in the second half.

FABIAN DELPH - 6

Offered a lot of energy and running and has surprised me with his pace. He's also shown good technical ability in tight spaces and tactical nous all around the pitch. He's a useful player and I'm sure he'll have an important role to play this season.

DAVID SILVA - 8

Silva has been pretty poor since coming back from injury and for some reason I was starting to worry. He completely flicked on the switch yesterday and buzzed around controlling proceedings. His surreal finish left Sommer dawdling on his knees and those goals are probably the most aesthetic kind of close range finishes. We've missed a proper technical play-maker with him and Nasri being out for so long so his return to form is a timely boost as City look to pick themselves up.

KEVIN DE BRUYNE - 5

Probably his worst display in a City shirt yet and it was certainly coming. He's looked jaded in recent weeks and his high risk style has started to cede possession even more than he usually does. His features on the right (United, Stoke, Sevilla) have brought out the worst of him yet even taking that and tiredness to account you still feel he can produce something out of nothing. Such is his quality.

RAHEEM STERLING - 8 - Man of the Match

What looked to be another frustrating night for Sterling soon turned out to be arguably his most effective yet. Two glorious early opportunities went wasted as his good work outside the box went unrewarded.

Bony's arrival instantly offered him more space centrally and opened up the Gladbach defence for Sterling to score a brace, which included an absolute pearl of a first-time finish. Raheem has taken to the Champions League with aplomb and much like the game at Sevilla, he has produced the goods when we needed it most.

SUBS

JESUS NAVAS - 5

Ineffectual crossing but stretched the game. Rinse and repeat.

WILFRIED BONY - 7

Came on and scored one, assisted one and dragged defenders out of position for Sterling's first. A great substitution from Pellegrini.

BACARY SAGNA - N/A

Rested for Clichy and came on late to see out the game.