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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Nick Purewal

Manchester City player ratings vs West Ham: Masterful Phil Foden mixes artistry and aggression

Manchester City stormed to an English record fourth consecutive title with a 3-1 win over West Ham at the Etihad Stadium.

Phil Foden took his Premier League tally to 19 for the season with a stunning goal brace, before midfield linchpin Rodri slotted home to boot.

Mohammed Kudus’ superlative overhead kick offered the Hammers a lifeline, but te day belonged to City and Pep Guardiola.

Here, Nick Purewal rates City’s four-time champions.

Stefan Ortega 7

Untested other than the Kudus thunderbolt that he only saw when retrieving from the net. City did not miss the injured Ederson, so credit to Ortega for that, but West Ham also failed to put any pressure on the stand-in stopper.

Kyle Walker 8

A note-perfect performance for the England man on his 300th Manchester City appearance. As landmark appearance go, setting a new top-flight title winning sequence record is not half bad.

Ruben Dias 8

So comfortable in and out of possession, keeping shape and always available for a pass from team-mates too.

Manuel Akanji 8

Spent as much time in central midfield as at the back of City’s set-up, such was the hosts’ comfort on another record-breaking afternoon.

Josko Gvardiol 8

Has absolutely lived up to the hype which trailed his move to City from RB Leipzig last summer. One of the best defenders around, able to transform an attack for his own side as well as snuff one out from the opposition.

Rodri 9

The most important player in City’s system, the fulcrum around which everything can be built. Rodri just does not lose in City colours. That is 73 matches unbeaten for City in all competitions, and 50 in the Premier League.

Bernardo Silva 8

Works so hard that he makes everything he does look effortless, and yet the skill and focus required is off the charts. West Ham were chasing shadows in failing to follow him around the field.

Kevin De Bruyne 8

City’s dominance was such that the Belgium playmaker was able to walk around and pick his moments, but every time he slinked onto the ball he made something happen.

Phil Foden 9

Sealed the deal on the fourth title in a row with another masterful performance, mixing artistry and aggression in the finest style.

Jeremy Doku 8

A fine addition to an already ridiculous City squad, Doku’s commitment to stay wide and run directly at defenders not only bears fruit in itself, but also opens space for team-mates elsewhere.

Erling Haaland 7

Unlucky not to turn one of a handful of half chances into a goal, but always had far the better of West Ham’s harassed centre-backs.

Substitutes

Nathan Ake (for Akanji, 71mins) 7

Mateo Kovacic (for Foden, 90+1) 7

Unused: Stones, Grealish, Alvarez, Nunes, Carson, Bobb, Lewis.

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