Ederson: There when needed. Nothing he could do about the goal.
Walker: Average. One or two decent runs, but always feel like he is a bit of a liability against a strong winger, both forwards and defending.
Kompany: Made a rod for his own back. Hard to see him being first choice over Stones this season, but does organize well.
Laporte: Excellently taken goal and solid. Strong shout for MOTM.
Mendy: Great wingback, bang average left back against a winger.
Gundogan: Kept things ticking over, but lacks a cutting edge. Takes a good corner and free kick!
Fernandinho: Did what Fernandinho does and very well.
Silva: Slow start, but increasingly effective from 15-25m out. Denied definite penalty - joke decision.
Bernardo: Quickly becoming undroppable. Very nice game. Always inventive, but often let down by the runner.
Sterling: Almost scored the half volley of the season. Worked very hard, but can’t look past his first touch, technical ability.
Agüero: Very unlucky. Hit woodwork twice. Not given much service all game.
Mahrez: Always looks dangerous and technically excellent. Dangerous sub.
Jesus: Worked hard, got into some good spaces, but has to bury a free header from the 6 yard line.
Sané: On this cameo performance, he can expect a loooong stint on the bench. No-one you can drop for him, and when he loses the ball with Mendy bombing on, we are totally exposed.
Both teams had chances to win the game, which means they played well and we didn’t play as well as we could and should. However, it would be a disservice to say they are going to be anywhere near the relegation places this season. NES has a solid team, excellent organization, and some danger upfront. Key injuries look to be their only Achilles heel this season, so if they can keep players healthy, they should be a solid middle 8 team.
Good, exciting, incident-filled Premier League game. Sadly, once again, too many of those incidents are poor refereeing decisions. With the speed of the game now, and what is at stake for both winners and losers, VAR is not only desperately needed, but is a travesty that in the most watched League in the world, the refereeing is spoiling the event!
Within the space of two minutes, an offside, handball goal is given and a dead cert penalty is denied right in front of the ref. Absolutely ridiculous.