Manchester City v Brighton player ratings

Raheem Sterling was the star man as Manchester City beat Brighton 2-0 at the Etihad this afternoon. Here's how we rated the players of both teams.
Raheem Sterling is closed down by Yves Bissouma and Gaetan Bong. Picture by PW Sporting PhotographyRaheem Sterling is closed down by Yves Bissouma and Gaetan Bong. Picture by PW Sporting Photography
Raheem Sterling is closed down by Yves Bissouma and Gaetan Bong. Picture by PW Sporting Photography

MANCHESTER CITY

Ederson - 6

Fourth clean sheet in the league this season. Largely untroubled.

Kyle Walker - 6

Played high up the pitch to support Sterling down the right. Low shot just wide early in the second half.

Nicolas Otamendi - 6

Solid at the back, simple passes to keep possession.

Aymeric Laporte - 6

Same as Otamedi, looked comfortable on the ball.

Oleksandr Zinchenko - 7

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First league appearance of the season. Fired wildly into the Albion fans behind the goal after three minutes. Often got forward from left-back.

Leroy Sane - 7

Threat down the left. Low cross converted by Raheem Sterling for the opener on 30 minutes.

David Silva - 7

Looked to pull the strings in the final third. Denied by Mathew Ryan in the second period.

Bernardo Silva - 7

On target against Albion in City's 3-1 home win at the end of last season. Low shot just wide on 33 minutes.

Fernandinho - 6

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Tidy in possession. Stopped Martin Montoya from getting a cross in when the Albion full-back got into a dangerous position in the first half.

Raheem Sterling - 8

Lively outlet on the right. Turned home Sane's low cross to give City the lead. Denied a second by superb Ryan save. Set up Aguero to make it 2-0 on 65 minutes. Man of the match.

Sergio Aguero - 7

Overhead kick blocked by Duffy in early exchanges. Led the breakaway for City's first goal. Started and finished the move for City's second after a one-two with Sterling.

Subs:

Gabriel Jesus - 5

Came on for final 25 minutes. Quiet.

Riyad Mahrez - 6

Deflected shot saved and sent another effort over.

Phil Foden - 6

Late introduction for David Silva.

Unused: Aro Muric, Danilo, Vincent Kompany, John Stones.

BRIGHTON

Mathew Ryan - 7

Nothing he could do about either City goal. Made excellent saves from Sterling and David Silva.

Martin Montoya - 7

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Comfortable in possession and defended well. Headed away dangerous Walker cross, with Aguero lurking behind. Booked.

Shane Duffy - 7

Looping header easily saved and also headed another opening over early on. Blocked acrobatic Aguero shot, among other City chances and headed several crosses away.

Lewis Dunk - 7

Called into action to block and clear several City crosses. Superb block denied Aguero just before the hour.

Gaetan Bong - 6

Had his hands full up against Sterling. Unable to cut out Sane's low cross for the opener.

Anthony Knockaert - 6

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Lively start and won two early corners. Quieter in the second half. Booked.

Beram Kayal - 7

First Premier League start of the season. Hard working performance and nicely won the ball back on a few occasions. Signed a one-year extension to his Albion contract yesterday.

Davy Propper - 5

Quiet game in the centre of midfield.

Yves Bissouma -7

Comfortable in possession. Lovely early crossfield pass set Knockaert away to win an early corner.

Solly March -7

Had to work hard up and down the left with City right-back Kyle Walker playing high up the pitch.

Jurgen Locadia - 5

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Made his first Premier League start of the season in place of in-form Glenn Murray. Little joy from Laporte and Otamendi as he struggled to hold the ball up.

Subs:

Glenn Murray - 6

Sent on for final 18 minutes.

Alireza Jahanbakhsh - 6

Introduced with just over ten minutes to go.

Jose Izquierdo - 6

First appearance of the season as he got just under ten minutes.

Unused: David Button, Bruno, Leon Balogun, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Jose Izquierdo, Bernardo.

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