Manchester City 6-1 Huddersfield Town – Player Ratings

Manchester City continued their winning start to the season with a dominating 6-1 win over Huddersfield Town on Sunday afternoon at the Etihad Stadium. Sergio Aguero will rightly receive all the headlines for his performance and combining hat-trick, however there were a number of players who proved to Pep Guardiola that they’re up for the fight of retaining the Premier League title. It’s time for Player Ratings!

Ederson – 8

Similar to the Arsenal game last week, the Brazilian goalkeeper was relatively redundant for much of this game. His 70 yard ping, right into the path of Aguero for the opening goal was a thing of beauty and earned the shot-stopper his first assist of the season.

John Stones – 7

Didn’t have a great amount to deal with all day and will be disappointed that his lapse in concentration allowed Jon Stankovic to prod home Huddersfield’s consolation goal. As allows more than comfortable in possession and is often like a deep lying midfielder when City play at home.

Vincent Kompany – 7

Like much of the blues backline, he wasn’t called into action all that often. He set’s the tempo from the heart of the City defence and it was good to see him get another 90 minutes under his belt ahead of more strenuous tests to come.

Aymeric Laporte – 7

Laporte looks settled in with this City side and his surroundings after signing in the January transfer window of last season. He seems to have the capabilities and understanding to play the way Guardiola wants and he will feature most weeks this season. Comfortable in possession and aggressive when necessary.

Benjamin Mendy – 9

Magnificent. It was great to see Mendy looking like the player he was for Monaco before suffering his long term injury at the start of last season. He spent the majority of Sunday’s game camped on the left hand side of the Huddersfield half. He was bombing up and down all day and produced 12 crosses in the game, tied for the most in one game along with Kevin De Bruyne since Guardiola took charge of the club. Two of these whipped crosses led to Aguero goals and one marauding run ended in Jesus slotting home.

Fernandinho – 7

Covered the entirety of the pitch as he always does and was key in moving the ball quickly from side to side. Didn’t have too much to do defensively.

Ilkay Gundogan – 7

Was in tandem with Fernandinho and David Silva all throughout the game. Helped City control possession of the ball and pressed hard when out of possession.

Bernardo Silva – 7

Started the game in his more natural position under Guardiola out wide on the right wing however didn’t seem to get into the game as much as last week. Was moved further inside late on and had one or two efforts blocked down from the edge of the box. He will improve with every game.

David Silva – 9

‘El Mago’ really is a joy to watch. In the opening 20 minutes of the game he seemed to constantly be on the ball dictating the game, turning his opposing counter-part Chris Lowe inside out on one occasion on front of the glaring South Stand. His son Matteo was in attendance for the first time since being born prematurely last season and he witnessed his father at his very best. Sublime game topped off with a fantastic free-kick that was glided into the top right hand corner of the goal. Silva received a standing ovation when subbed off.

Gabriel Jesus – 8

The Brazilian is a predator. He is at his best when he doesn’t have too much time to think and he possesses that killer instinct in front of goal. He latched onto a bouncing ball around the edge of the box before taking one touch to get it out of his feet and bang. He doubled City’s lead with a neat left footed finish into the near post. Could have had more goals in the game but his link up play with Aguero was phenomenal at times.

Sergio Aguero – 10

Perfect performance from the Argentine that was capped with a hat-trick. As Guardiola mentioned in his post-match interview, Aguero has looked sharp since returning from the World Cup. The pick of his goals was unquestionably his first where he made Huddersfield goalkeeper Ben Hamer look rather silly. He got on the end of an Ederson pass and lobbed the onrushing Hamer with his left foot. Sensational game by the City legend.

Leroy Sane – 7

It was good to see Leroy get his first minutes of the new campaign underway and he looked to be as blistering as last season when given the chance. It was he who contributed to City’s sixth goal which was bundled in by defender Terence Kongolo. Sane’s pace got him in behind the Terriers defence and as he went to lift it over Hamer, the keeper rebounded it over his own defender.

Riyad Mahrez – 6

Didn’t really produce much when coming on other than a high and wayward effort in the dying stages.

Phil Foden – N/A

Only came into the game with a few minutes to go on the clock and only got a couple of touches of the ball.