Boro player ratings

Given Had very few saves to make: one or two ones straight at him but that was it. Tended to let Kompany and Boyata head away set-pieces. 6

Zabaleta Didn't have much to deal with but played his best game for a while. Was almost faultless defensively, which was particularly helpful with Micah Richards and Dedryck Boyata starting at centre-back. Attacked pretty well when needed, almost scored in the first half. 7

Boyata A very promising City debut from the Belgian youngster. He towered over everyone else on the pitch (including Kompany) and won everything in the air. With the ball on the ground he was more competent than confident - but I think that we will see more of this guy. 7

Richards Only played the first half but looked relatively comfortable at centre-back - his first game there since the 1-1 with Wigan in October. We'll need him fit for the rest of the month, though. 6

Garrido A quiet game but for a brief spell when he looked very troubled by Adam Johnson. But Johnson went off with a hamstring strain after losing the ball to an excellent Garrido challenge and after that he was fine. Mancini has a big call between him and Sylvinho for the Carling Cup semi. 6

Weiss Had a chance to impress today but couldn't quite take it. He struggled to get on the ball and when he did he looked a bit too keen to show off rather than to deliver. On the right hand side in the first half, on the left in the second, but not a great performance overall. 5

de Jong Solid stuff in the first half - as expected - but replaced at half time. It is quite important that he stays fit for the rest of this nine game month. 6

Kompany Played the first half in centre midfield - where he was tidy rather than dominant, before moving back to centre-back at half time. He typically threw himself in front of everything, matching David Wheater for size and commitment under crosses, corners and free-kicks. 7

Sylvinho Mancini clearly likes the idea of playing full-backs in wide midfield positions to provide balance, and Sylvinho started on the left wing. He doesn't have any pace, but still has a good football brain and showed some nice touches. Moved into central midfield at half time and passed the ball nicely. A good option to have in future. 7

Petrov Our best attacking player in the first half, putting Benjani through for our only goal. Moved out wide in the second half, where he found space as the game opened up and hit one shot just over the bar. 7

Benjani I don't want to be too critical of the game's only goal scorer but he wasn't great today. His first touch was woeful, which rendered him completely unable to hold the ball up. Which, for someone playing as a lone striker, is pretty problematic. Already has more goals for City in 2010 than he scored for us in 2009. 5

Subs:

Barry Added a touch of class and control to midfield when he came on. It would have been nice not to need him but with injuries to Stephen Ireland and Michael Johnson it was likely to happen 7

Tévez His energy and running transformed us - we looked much sharper with him on the pitch. Missed a chance or two but it didn't turn out to be a problem. 7

Bellamy Too late to mark. n/a