Djordje Petrovic – 7.5 – Pulled off a brilliant save to deny Haaland soon after being cautioned for wasting time. Unlucky not to finish with a shutout.
Ben Chilwell – 7 – Enjoyed a fascinating battle with international teammate Foden down Chelsea’s left flank.
Levi Colwill – 6.5 – Produced a big saving block after the hour mark. “I can’t quite work out how Man City haven’t got a goal,” enthused Carragher afterwards.
Axel Disasi – 8.5 – Made three vital goal-saving clearances on the stroke of half-time. He never let up after the break. Disasi was nothing short of immense at the back this evening.
Malo Gusto – 7 – This was a strong outing for the young full-back, who competed in 10 duels, winning seven.
Enzo Fernández – 6 – Was up for the fight and even squared off with teammate Jackson after taking the ball away from his feet and sending a shot high, wide and handsome.
Moisés Caicedo – 5.5 – Fortunate not to have been sent off this evening. Referee Andrew Madley or the VAR team didn’t see his reckless stamp on Doku. He did go into the book after going through De Bruyne.
Raheem Sterling – 8 – Punished his former club, and it was coming. After again finding himself staring down Ederson via another Blues counter-attack, the ex-City forward sent Walker for a walk before finding the far corner. Only Sergio Agüero (106) has scored more Premier League goals at the Etihad Stadium than him (52). Didn’t finish the game, but this was among his better showings this season. He’s also the first player in the competition to score home and away against City having previously played for them.
Conor Gallagher – 6 – Unsurprisingly, this was another combative performance from Chelsea’s distance runner, but he was on his behaviour, not adding to his yellow card collection.
Cole Palmer – 6.5 – Returning to his former stomping ground, Palmer was part of the build-up for Chelsea’s opener, which was as good as it got for the City academy graduate.
Nicolas Jackson – 7 – Kicking himself after Ederson thwarted him. The much-maligned Senegalese forward, in fairness, needed an extra touch as Gusto’s cross wasn’t perfect. However, no side has missed more big chances in the Premier League this season than Chelsea (48), with Jackson missing 14 (the fourth most of any player in the division). He did, though, produce the ideal cross for Sterling’s go-ahead goal.
Substitutes:
Christopher Nkunku (for Sterling 64) – 4 – Had the one real chance in front of goal.
Trevoh Chalobah (for Palmer 71) – N/A – A late sub.
Cesare Casadei (for Jackson 82) – N/A – A late sub.
Photo Credit: ChelseaFC/ X