Our Man City player ratings vs Leeds give several players from Pep Guardiola’s side their dues, after a top performance from the visitors in a 3-1 win at Elland Road, as an Erling Haaland brace and a Rodri tap-in sunk the hosts.
Man City player ratings vs Leeds United
Ederson: 6/10
Ederson could not have done much for Pascal Strujik’s strike on a night where he was otherwise untested.
Rico Lewis: 7.5/10
It is staggering to witness just how comfortable Rico Lewis looks as an inverted right-back at such a young age in this Man City side.
Another technically sound display from the 18-year-old, whose silk was backed up by steel as he was largely defensively robust at Elland Road.
For a player dubbed as Man City’s right-back to-be for the next decade by Pep Guardiola, perhaps one should not be surprised at just how accomplished he already is.
John Stones: 7/10
Virtually operating as a right-back as City played a back three in possession, John Stones was typically flawless on the ball and dealt with any sign of danger effortlessly.
Manuel Akanji: 6.5/10
Manuel Akanji delivered when called upon and was quality on the ball, barring two sloppy moments in the second half.
Nathan Ake: 7/10
Nathan Ake bombed forward surprisingly well at times, played a series of line-breaking passes and was reliable defensively in an unnatural left-back role.
Mr. Reliable, indeed.
Rodri: 8.5/10
Week in, week out, Rodri proves why he is arguably the best defensive midfielder in the world.
The Spaniard was unreal defensively, intercepting everything that came his way and typically incredible when it came to setting the tone for Man City’s attacks with a threaded-through pass.
And before we forget, Rodri opened the scoring in crucial fashion and was perhaps unlucky not to be rewarded with an assist after Erling Haaland’s late miss in the second half.
A complete display from just a superb player.
Ilkay Gundogan: 8/10
A showreel of Ilkay Gundogan’s silky touches against Leeds would make for remarkable viewing.
The German was unplayable in tight spaces, especially as his sublime turn set the tone for Rodri’s opener.
A classy display from a true class act.
Kevin De Bruyne: 9/10 (Man of the Match)
It’s a shame Man City seemed to not have brought their shooting boots to Elland Road as Kevin De Bruyne should walk away with a couple of assists.
Keeping that aside, De Bruyne’s pass for Rodri’s strike was proof of why he is classed as the best midfielder in world football.
The Belgian’s ball-carrying, final ball, pressing, defensive work was exemplary was nothing short of sensational, as the “absolute legend”, as per Pep Guardiola himself (via Football Daily) he stole the show once again.
Riyad Mahrez: 7/10
Riyad Mahrez looked sharper than usual, playing two superb passes that should perhaps have been rewarded with goals.
It was the Algerian’s attempt that led to Rodri being gifted a tap-in, as Mahrez showed signs of returning back to his former majestic self.
Erling Haaland: 8/10
While Erling Haaland’s opener was a piece of cake, the second finish with his weak foot was another example of why he is the most in-form striker in the world.
However, the reason why the Norwegian receives just an 8/10 rating is because he perhaps should have had 5 goals on a night where he was surprisingly wasteful.
Jack Grealish: 7.5/10
After a truly appalling first half defined by gilt-edged missed and misplaced passes, Jack Grealish redeemed himself in style.
Winning back the ball after a sloppy Leeds pass and setting up Erling Haaland’s opener was simply brilliant work from the Englishman.
And the assist for the 22-year-old’s second goal of the night was perfectly weighted from Grealish as well. You love to see it.
Substitutes:
Joao Cancelo: N/A
Phil Foden: N/A
Cole Palmer: N/A
And that wraps up our Man City vs Leeds player ratings, as the Premier League champions did what they do best.
