Manchester City took care of business Saturday afternoon at the Etihad, with many supporters expecting a victory that came with relative ease against Hull City.
While the hosts dominated and won the game, this wasn't the scenario before the match. Hull are fighting against relegation all season, but have been playing very well under new manager Marco Silva. City have been playing well lately but were coming off three disappointing results against big teams.
What we saw on the pitch was a City team dominating possession and creating good chances, scoring good goals and keeping Hull from creating any danger. While the visitors did score in the final minutes, they didn't offer any threat and Pep Guardiola's men comfortably got the three points.
Below are the ratings for each City player who saw the pitch on Saturday. The game died after City went up 3-0, but there were a few excellent efforts in the first 60 minutes of action.
Claudio Bravo: 6.5
The Chilean returned to the starting lineup in the Premier League for the first time in a while. It was a shame Bravo didn't get the clean sheet, but his distribution was very good all afternoon.
Jesús Navas: 7.0
The Spaniard’s continued role at right-back is a mixed bag. Defensively Navas looks a bit lost, but going forward and in possession he looks very good. Guardiola clearly values passing and attacking football over defense, so Navas may remain at right-back for a few more games.
John Stones: 8.0
The Englishman hasn't gotten the credit he deserves this season. City really have one reliable center-back, and that is John Stones. While his performances haven't been perfect, supporters would shudder to think where City would be without Stones.
Aleksandar Kolarov: 6.5
The Serbian defender also made a return after not starting for quite some time. While defensively Kolarov looked a little rusty, his cross-field passes to Sterling were an absolute weapon all game long.
Gaël Clichy: 6.0
Clichy continues to be an enigma this season. Sometimes looking capable of handling the everyday duties and sometimes forcing this writer into predicting a three at the back formation. This game was one of the more alright ones.
Fabian Delph: 7.0
WHAT A STRIKE! If Delph is going to try several terrible long range efforts but scores one of those goals every other game, I say GO NUTS YOUNG MAN! Also, great performance.
Yaya Touré: 7.0
Touré may not be the offensive threat City have needed in the past, but his possession and passing continue to be key to City switching from defense to attack in a hurry.
David Silva: 7.5
Making his 300th appearance for the club, Silva was very good. As always.
Raheem Sterling: 8.5 (Man of the Match)
Sterling had an excellent afternoon running directly at Hull's defenders. It was his running both with and without the ball that led to City’s second and third goals. The growth of Sterling under Pep has been remarkable to track this season.
Leroy Sané: 6.5
The German winger had a good impact even without scoring. Each time Sané touched the ball out wide, panic began to set in on Hull’s defenders faces.
Sergio Agüero 7.0
Agüero got his goal but what was even more impressive was the running and work rate the Argentinian provided all game.
Nolito: 5.5
The Spaniard looked a bit slow in his half hour on the pitch.
Kelechi Iheanacho: N/A
The game was pretty much over, but it was nice to see Iheanacho back.
Fernando: N/A
Helped see the game out but not enough impact to mark.