Manchester City secured a comfortable 2-0 win over Fulham at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon, marking Pep Guardiola’s 700th game in management.
The pattern of the game was set early on with the visitors camped in their own half, and it didn't take long for City to take the lead, with Raheem Sterling coolly slotting home after Kevin De Bruyne's lovely through ball.
GOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLL!! pic.twitter.com/WA3Jq8xbB4
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 5, 2020
The home side were handed the chance to double their lead when Sterling was hacked down in the area by Joachim Andersen, an opportunity that De Bruyne was never going to pass on as he made it 2-0 from the spot.
The visitors showed a little more endeavour in the second half, though they were unable to find any moment of real quality as City eased their way to a routine win.
That's the match highlights out of the way, now to those City and Fulham player ratings.
Manchester City
1. Goalkeeper & Defenders
Ederson (GK) - 5/10 - Miscommunication between himself and John Stones almost led to a horror moment, which looked to be of Ederson's making. Could have played the rest of the game from his armchair.
Joao Cancelo (RB) - 5/10 - Some lazy distribution when Fulham were pressing high nearly led to a goal, though he did shackle the lively Ademola Lookman on the few occasions Fulham mustered an attack.
John Stones (CB) - 6/10 - Just his third Premier League appearance of the season and you could tell there wasn't a lot of confidence in him from his goalkeeper. Nevertheless, his individual performance was solid enough.
Ruben Dias (CB) - 6/10 - Stepped out of defence with Fulham sitting deep and looked comfortable in doing so. Given very little defensive duties to perform.
Benjamin Mendy (LB) - 6/10 - Caught out of position a couple of times but used his pace well to recover. A relatively uneventful afternoon but did the basics well.
2. Midfielders
Rodri (CM) - 7/10 - As easy a Premier League game as he's likely to take part in. Recycled possession well, broke down play and basically just did what he's good at.
Ilkay Gundogan (CM) - 7/10 - Busy and energetic in midfield. Provided a good balance alongside the class of De Bruyne and the combative Rodri.
Kevin De Bruyne (CM) - 8/10 - The kind of comfortably brilliant performance we've come to expect from the Belgian. Sat back in midfield and pulled the strings all afternoon.
3. Forwards
Riyad Mahrez (RW) - 8/10 - Was already showboating with just half an hour on the clock as he chipped a superb ball over the top to Sterling. Should have had a beautiful assist but De Bruyne produced an uncharacteristically poor finish.
Gabriel Jesus (ST) - 5/10 - Overshadowed by the two magicians either side of him. Worked the line well but very little to show for his efforts.
Raheem Sterling (LW) - 7/10 - Kept a cool head to slot home City's opener and could have had a hat-trick before half time were it not for some wayward finishing and impressive saves from Alphonse Areola. Linked up brilliantly with Riyad Mahrez and De Bruyne.
Fulham
4. Goalkeeper & Defenders
Alphonse Areola (GK) - 7/10 - Produced a number of good saves in the first half to at least keep his side within touching distance at the interval. The score could easily and been four or five were it not for the Paris Saint-Germain loanee.
Ola Aina (CB) - 5/10 - A half-volley from all of 40 yards which barely had the power to go out for a goal kick tells you all you need to know about his afternoon. Didn't make any glaring errors but was just utterly outclassed by the City frontline.
Joachim Andersen (CB) - 4/10 - Looked like he was towing a caravan for City's first and conceded the penalty (although it was soft) for the second. Playing at City is never going to be easy but the Dane made his own afternoon twice as difficult.
Tosin Adarabioyo (CB) - 7/10 - Stuck to his task all afternoon and produced a number of timely blocks to prevent City from running away with it. An individual performance he can be pleased with on his return to his old employers.
5. Midfielders & Wing-Backs
Bobby Decordova-Reid (RWB) - 5/10 - Asked to support the attack and help out defensively, which ultimately proved too much of a workload. Can't fault his effort but outclassed on the Fulham right.
Harrison Reed (CM) - 5/10 - Given the unenviable job of keeping De Bruyne quiet - which he evidently didn't do. Often found himself outnumbered in midfield and really struggled to influence the game.
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (CM) - 6/10 - The pick of the Fulham midfielders (but not by much). Full of running but was essentially just chasing shadows. Did at least apply some pressure on a City midfield that looked comfortable all afternoon.
Antonee Robinson (LWB) - 6/10 - Afforded very few chances to surge into the City half but when he did he looked menacing. Looked much more comfortable in the wing-back role than Decordova-Reid on the opposite flank.
6. Forwards
Ruben Loftus-Cheek (RW) - 4/10 - An absolutely anonymous display. Granted, service was poor, but the on-loan Chelsea man did little to impose himself on the contest.
Ivan Cavaleiro (ST) - 5/10 - Played in the centre of Fulham's frontline and it was clear he didn't really know how to perform the role. Found himself straying out to his natural wide position and just running around aimlessly.
Ademola Lookman (LW) - 5/10 - Can't be criticised for lack of effort but was completely isolated whenever he did receive the ball and couldn't find his way past a solid City defence.
7. Substitutes
68' Change for the Whites, with @LeminaM_13 coming on.
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) December 5, 2020
?️ 2-0 ? | #MCIFUL pic.twitter.com/Df6iFnpX5e
Mario Lemina (CM) - 6/10
Aboubakar Kamara (ST) - 5/10
Tom Cairney (CM) - 6/10
Source: 90min
