CITY RATED BY SIMON BAJKOWSKI
ZACK STEFFEN
An early mistake on his Premier League debut, picking up a backpass, and then had very little to do.
One of the most important players in the team. Attentive to his defensive duties and offers so much going forward.
Threw everything into earning what was so nearly another clean sheet, putting his body on the line to get the ball away.
ALEKS ZINCHENKO
A first league start since July and some excellent contributions to the attack alongside Foden on the left.
In danger of becoming the new Gundogan whereby the good, unfussy work is overshadowed by clumsy moments.
ILKAY GUNDOGAN
In danger of shedding the longstanding divisive opinion of him among the City fanbase after a third goal in four starts.
Missed early chance but showed his kaleidoscopic vision for Foden’s goal and finished the third.
Some tidy link-ups with his compatriot Joao Cancelo but a performance that opens the door for Mahrez to come in.
Reportedly unhappy not to start the derby, it would be madness to keep him out of Wednesday’s semi-final.
The third goal highlighted his continuing struggles in front of goal but he recovered well enough.
SUBSTITUTES FERNANDINHO: (Gundogan, 75) His most important job was resting up Gundogan for the United semi-final next week. 6
RIYAD MAHREZ: (Foden, 86) AGUERO: (De Bruyne, 86)
NOT USED: Carson, Mbete, Harwood-Bellis, Mendy, Delap
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worth has been evident of late and the German midfielder was key.
The Rodri-Gundogan midfield axis might not be quite as intoxicating as the idea of playing De Bruyne and David Silva as twin No. 8s but at his best the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder can contribute in all three thirds of the pitch.
That was something Guardiola touched on recently when talking about his sudden impact in attack – his goal against Chelsea was his third in four games – and that looks to have added confidence to every aspect of his game.
Gundogan had three shots in the first half alone and he was regularly making runs into the penalty area and finding dangerous positions. His forward passing constantly broke the lines in Frank Lampard’s team, finding De Bruyne and Foden in space, and he showed just why he is so valued by Guardiola.
EVEN with Gabriel Jesus part of City’s Covid absentee list there was no return to the starting line-up for Sergio Aguero, which shows how keen Guardiola is to handle him with the utmost care after his recent injury issues.
It looked like Guardiola had gone for Raheem Sterling through the middle, trying to exploit the space behind Chelsea’s defence, but it was De Bruyne playing centrally and it was a system that worked superbly.
That might take the Belgian out of his usual creative zone but he actually dropped into a false nine role on occasions, coming deep to get the ball and looking to play combination passes with Gundogan, Sterling and Foden. City’s issues in attack have been well documented this season, with Aguero’s absences and Jesus not at his best, but this solution worked brilliantly at Stamford Bridge and while it might not be an option they can turn to every week, there was still a lot to like about the set-up.