Sunday 16 January 2011

Wolves player ratings

Hart There was a very good save just before the Milijaš goal, and he was left stranded by his defenders for the second and third. Lots of punching from balls into the box, and most of the time it was just good enough to be safe. 6

Zabaleta Difficult game defensively, he looked uncomfortable against Wolves' high early tempo; facing not just Stephen Hunt but also the inclinations of Steven Fletcher and Kevin Doyle to pull left. Missed too many early tackles, but improved with the team. Clipped in a very astute cross to Tévez for the fourth goal. 5

Kolo Touré The opening goal came about after he cleared the ball into Vincent Kompany, and he looked ponderous and not fully fit all afternoon. Bundled in a goal, which was nice, but came off early in the second half for Joleon Lescott. 5

Kompany Acceptable, rather than excellent: Doyle and Fletcher were difficult and he looked mildly unsettled at times. Improved, as everyone did. Got the near post flick for Kolo's goal. 6

Kolarov One of his better games. He is so important within our narrow system, and here he was excellent at maintaining the width and stretching defenders. Had one of those famous shots turned round for a corner. A goal is coming. 7

de Jong Slow to get into the game, and could only watch as we attempted to lose the match in the first half hour. More influential later, made a few important interventions, including that famous overhead-kick clearance of his. 5

Barry Like everyone, started slowly but found his way. Has an important role aiding and abetting Kolarov's surges, whether playing the ball through to him or just dropping into the left-back position. But he saw a fair bit of the ball, no major mishaps. 6

Yaya Touré Scored our third goal, starting and finishing a move that took the ball the length of the pitch. Could have scored a second later on when he barged through but shot at the keeper. 6

A. Johnson Didn't find Stephen Ward as accommodating as he might have hoped; got off a shot to the near post in the first half but generally his impact was limited, which is a shame as the return of Silva means he might not get a game in the league for a bit. 5

Tévez A reminder that Džeko will have to do very well indeed to be City's primary striker. Playing nominally on the left, but effectively slightly deeper, he was allowed to play facing goal all game. This freedom allowed him to score his first, as he danced past three defenders past scoring, an individual goal nearly as good as Silva's at Bloomfield Road. His second was a header from close range. 8

Džeko A good debut; he led the line intelligently, showing off his strength, footwork and team-play. Looked a bit short of sharpness in goalscoring situations but this was his first match in over a month. 7

Subs:

Lescott Gave away the softest of penalties, pushing Kevin Doyle in the back when he presented no immediate threat. Lost his man (I think) for Wolves' third. 4

Milner Worked hard to close out the win 6

Silva Too late to mark n/a

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