Manchester City 1 (Phil Foden 4′)
Sporting 4 (Viktor Gyökeres 38′, 49′, 81′, Maxi Araujo 46′)
Here are the City player ratings as Manchester City went down to a resounding 4-1 defeat to Sporting Lisbon. When the starting lineups were announced, there was a first-ever start for young defender Jahmai Simpson-Pusey in a strong-looking City lineup. But after a strong first half from Pep Guardiola’s side, the second half exposed City’s frailties for everyone to see.
First half
Manchester City began the game in ominous form and took the lead in the 4th minute through Phil Foden. After a Sporting error at the back, City’s Wonder Boy opened the scoring, although Sporting keeper Franco Israel wouldn’t want to see a replay of the goal.
Viktor Gyökeres fired a warning of his threat in the 8th minute. The Swedish striker was played through after Rico Lewis had given away possession in midfield. But when faced with Ederson one-on-one the goal machine chipped his shot straight into Ederson’s arms.
From there, the pattern of the first half was established. Manchester City were dominant in possession and Sporting looked to hit Pep Guardiola’s side on the break. It must be said that for the majority of the first half, City was dominant, and Sporting always looked dangerous on the break. Erling Haaland had a host of chances that he failed to convert and City missed several other opportunities.
They were made to pay in the 38th minute when Viktor Gyökeres was played through one-on-one against Ederson. This time he got his chip right and equalised for Sporting. The goal was harsh on Manchester City but it did highlight once again the major weakness of the world champions.
The game went to the interval at 1-all but that first-half performance was one of Manchester City’s best for some time.
Second half
The second had barely begun when more calamitous defending from Manchester City saw Sporting take the lead. A well-worked move saw Maxi Araujo fire the hosts into the lead 20 seconds after the restart.
It got worse for Manchester City a minute later when Josko Gvardiol conceded a penalty after more poor defending from the world champions. Gvardiol fouled Francisco Trincao in the box. Viktor Gyökeres expertly dispatched the penalty to completely undo all of Manchester City’s good work in the first half.
After Sporting’s flying start to the second half Manchester City began to work their way back into the game. City’s best move of the second half saw City earn a penalty in the 65th minute. Ousmane Diomande was adjudged to have handled a Bernardo Silva shot. VAR awarded Manchester City a penalty and a chance to get back into the match. But Erling Haaland smacked his penalty into the crossbar, and in truth, that about sums up Manchester City’s form currently.
In the 79th minute, it got a whole lot worse for Manchester City. Matheus Nunes was adjudged to have fouled Catamo. It looked like a soft penalty, but it was given. Viktor Gyökeres expertly dispatched the penalty to complete his hat trick. A bad second half had gotten a whole lot worse for Pep Guardiola’s side.
From there the game meandered to the final whistle. But the result and the manner in which Sporting tore Manchester City apart in the second half does leave a host of questions going forward for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Here are the City player ratings from a disastrous night for the world champions.
City player ratings
Ederson-5.5/10: Made one good save early on but had no chance with Sporting’s other three goals. Is being left too exposed by City’s defensive frailties.
Rico Lewis-5.5/10: Gave away possession early which led to Viktor Gyökeres’ first chance of the night. Improved after that but wasn’t at his best.
Jahmai Simpson-Pusey-6.5/10: For me, the youngster was City’s best defender on the night. Didn’t look out of place as some of his more experienced teammates faltered.
Manuel Akanji-5/10: A poor performance from Akanji. Struggled with the pace of Sporting’s counters and looked leggy all game.
Josko Gvardiol-5/10: Well below his best. Gave away a penalty and just couldn’t get into the game like he usually does.
Mateo Kovacic-6/10: Like Bernardo Silva, he never stopped trying. But as the game wore on he did look to run out of legs in midfield.
Bernardo Silva-6.5/10: He never stopped trying, but his first-half performance was better than his second-half display. Earned City a penalty that Erling Haaland missed.
Savinho-6/10: Had his moments but couldn’t really get into the game, especially after halftime.
Phil Foden-7/10: Manchester City’s best player on the night. Scored one and gave life to City’s ageing midfield.
Matheus Nunes-6/10: Toiled away again but couldn’t affect the game after Sporting’s second-half burst. He gave away a penalty but that did seem harsh.
Erling Haaland-4/10: A poor performance from Haaland. Missed a host of chances in the first half and his second-half penalty miss summed up City’s night.
Substitutes
Jeremy Doku-6/10: Came on with the game already lost. Had no time to make a meaningful impact.
Ilkay Gundogan-6/10: Came on with the game already over and had no time to affect proceedings.
Kevin De Bruyne-N/A: Not on long enough to mark.
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