Manchester City
Ortega Close to zero to do before the break due to Nicolas Jackson’s hesitancy, then made fine double save from the striker. 7
Walker Relished the challenge of Jackson’s pace, albeit bullied off the ball by the Senegalese in one duel and relieved as Jackson failed to profit. 6
Stones Dreaded seeing Jackson run at him, blocked a Madueke shot and was taken off at the break, having only recently recovered from injury. 6
Akanji Operated as the false central midfielder instead of Stones. Lucky to escape a dilly-dally in his area with Palmer closing. 6
Aké In for Josko Gvardiol, the Dutchman’s pace allowed him to shackle Madueke and was alert throughout in a classy display. 6
Rodri Unable – a rarity – to dictate and was often in scramble mode as his late-season below-par form continued. A worry. 5
B Silva Tentative, as if the fluffed panenka penalty against Real Madrid still troubled him, until his winning strike had City celebrating. 7
De Bruyne Popped about. His defence-breaking pass into Foden was sublime, the cross for Silva’s winner even better. 7
Foden Potent via surging runs, vision and willingness to receive but was guilty too often of dodgy radar when passing. 6
Grealish Ball-carrying posed Chelsea questions. Escaped a penalty shout when Palmer’s free-kick struck his hand. Taken off after a Caicedo challenge. 7
Álvarez In for the injured Erling Haaland, his mistake gifted Palmer a long-range lob opportunity. Missed a chance late in regulation time. 5
Substitutes:
Dias (Stones ht) Slipped into the contest almost seamlessly. 7
Doku (Grealish 66) Thrust took game to Chelsea. 7
Bobb (Álvarez 88) A late cameo as a falsh-ish 9. 6
Chelsea
Petrovic As with his opposite number, was hardly overworked in the opening half but then saved sharply from Foden and Doku. 7
Gusto Grealish came at him so had to be alert. Aim was off with a cross with Jackson lurking in City’s area. 6
Chalobah Potential goal-saving sliding tackle in his area on De Bruyne impressed as the timing had to be precise. 7
T Silva City did not test the 39-year- old’s speed enough by bursting in behind which allowed the Brazilian to be a calming presence. 6
Cucurella Headed away from close to his line when Foden dropped ball in and was unlucky with the deflection for Bernardo Silva’s goal. 7
Caicedo Hassled and annoyed the usually regal sky-blue midfield to good effect but lacked vision and quality. He remains an enigma. 5
Fernández Ineffective and disappointing. Clumsy pass straight out of play was rectified later when bisecting City backline to send Jackson skating in. 5
Madueke Hardly showed apart from the odd flash of driving play along the right so should be disappointed. Substituted – understandably. 5
Palmer Link play to Jackson was as slick as the shoulder drop that fooled Rodri in the area. A class above. 7
Gallagher First-time outing in the position which might explain why the Chelsea captain was so blunt and a near passenger. 5
Jackson Blistering pace showed Stones up but on rounding Ortega overelaborated – as he did a lot. Spurned two golden openings after interval. 4
Substitutes:
Mudryk (Madueke 79) Awful added-time free-kick killed Chelsea’s last hope. 4
Disasi (Gusto 79) Will be disappointed at how De Bruyne’s assist for winner came down his flank. 6
Chilwell (Cucurella 86) Had little effect. 6
Sterling (Fernández 86) Booed unfairly on entering - probably by City support. 6
