Sunderland 0-2 Manchester City, 2017 Premier League: Player Ratings

Manchester City were heavy favorites heading into their Sunday encounter with Sunderland and with good reason. Sunderland are the odds-on favorite to be relegated this season and City are in good form and near the top of the Premier League table. Sometimes football can have funny results, but that was not the case here.

A tough Sunderland side pressed well and took the game to the Sky Blues at times, but in the end never looked a real threat to take the three points. Sergio Agüero opened the scoring towards the end of the first half with a finish that very few strikers in the game could provide. Leroy Sané then extended City’s lead early in the second half and the rest of the game was essentially cruise control.

Below are the ratings for each player who saw the pitch against Sunderland, plus our Man of the Match award.

Willy Caballero: 6.5

The Argentine keeper recorded another clean sheet and was asked to make a couple of decent saves at one point.

Bacary Sagna: 6.5

Sagna played a responsible defensive game, though I’m sure Pep Guardiola would like a little more going forward from his full-back.

John Stones: 7.0

Stones has been putting together runs of good games recently. Stones played well against Sunderland and City supporters will hope he can avoid a dip in form.

Aleksandar Kolarov: 7.0

Against a less talented team Kolarov plays center-back well, and that was the case on Sunday. It’s against the better teams in the league where City fans are a little nervous about the Serbian defender.

Gaël Clichy: 7.0

In what has been a poor season for the Frenchman, this was one of his better games. Defensively Clichy was solid, and going forward the left-back offered more than usual against a poor Sunderland team.

Fernandinho: 7.5

Back in the middle of the park the Brazilian clearly looked more comfortable and linked very well with his midfield partners.

Yaya Touré: 8.0

It's against opponents like Sunderland that Touré has his best games. The man can still run the show in the middle, especially against a team without the same talent City have.

David Silva: 8.5

Is Silva City’s best ever player? There’s certainly an argument to be made, and after a disappointing season last year, Silva has been on fire working with Pep.

Raheem Sterling: 7.0

The young Englishman struggled a bit on Sunday but was still instrumental in providing width in City’s buildup all afternoon.

Leroy Sané: 8.5 (Man of the Match)

I’m seriously starting to run out of praise for Leroy Sané. The kid has been on fire starting in January and hasn't really had a bad game since. Sané scorched Sunderland’s full-backs all game.

Sergio Agüero: 7.0

Agüero got on the scoresheet and provided City with an important opener, but in general didn’t really look great. Hopefully Stoke can provide Agüero with a suitable challenge.

Kevin De Bruyne: 6.5

While the Belgian wasn't on the pitch long, he instantly inserted himself into to the game with some fine passes and shots.

Nolito: N/A

The Spaniard was only out there for about ten minutes, not nearly enough time to mark.

Fabian Delph: N/A

Not even time to mark the Englishman.