Man City 3 Everton 1: Player ratings as Sergio Aguero strikes

Manchester City

Joe Hart Some may say the England No1 should have stopped Lukaku’s goal, but that would be harsh. Didn’t have a lot else to do, but was confident enough when he did. 6/10

Pablo Zabaleta The Argentine worked forward well, including a good inside run which earned the penalty. Couldn’t be blamed for the goal. 6

Vincent Kompany City’s talisman went off after half an hour, with a suspected groin injury, following much early pressure from Everton – though Kompany wasn’t really to blame for it. 6

Joleon Lescott Given a torrid time by Lukaku early on and made a real mess of the goal, first losing the Belgian then being nutmegged by him. Seemed more assured in the second half, but this was largely due to Everton’s threat waning. 5

Aleksandar Kolarov Got forward well and delivered a couple of very inviting crosses whipped across the six-yard box, which he will be disappointed no one anticipated. 7

Yaya Toure Another commanding performance from the Ivorian, including two perfectly-weighted balls for the first goal and for Zabaleta’s run which earned the penalty. 8

Fernandinho A steady if unspectacular performance from the Brazilian, who has been consistent for City but, at the moment at least, is looking a little overpriced. 6

James Milner A typically diligent, solid performance. Didn’t pose too much threat, but kept Baines fairly quiet, which is no mean feat. 6

Sergio Aguero Squandered two good chances, but took his goal, a harder opportunity, superbly. Slightly fortunate with his penalty, which was credited as a Howard own goal, but it was reasonably well hit. 6

David Silva (Man of the match) The twinkle-toed Spaniard looked threatening all game, floating in the space between midfield and defence and playing clever balls in behind. Had by far the most completed passes. 8

Álvaro Negredo The Spaniard looked quick and sharp, often getting in behind the defence. Could be a performance which cements a starting place. 7

Substitutes

Matija Nastasić Was competent after replacing Kompany. 6

Gael Clichy Didn’t have much to do after Everton ran out of steam. 6

Samir Nasri N/A

Everton

Tim Howard Conceded three but cannot be faulted particularly for any of them, and was unlucky a fingertip touch from the penalty ended up going in via the post then the back of his head. 6

Seamus Coleman Got forward well as usual, but was slightly at fault for City players getting the wrong side of him for both the first goal and the penalty. 6

Phil Jagielka A little over-run at times, but without some well-timed interventions,it could have been more. 6

Sylvain Distin A typically physical, hard-working performance, but sometimes exposed by City’s pace. 6

Leighton Baines Largely kept quiet by Milner and unable to deliver any of his trademark crosses, nor many set pieces. Not particularly at fault for any of the goals, though. 5

James McCarthy Started brightly but began to lose control of the midfield battle, albeit to the imperious Toure. 6

Leon Osman A lot of neat, clever play but little real penetration and sometimes out-muscled. 5

Kevin Mirallas Began sharply, getting in behind a couple of times, but waned as the game went on. Perhaps not fully fit on his return. 6

Ross Barkley The youngster, in an advanced midfield position, linked up play well in the first-half, but was increasingly snuffed out, particularly as Lukaku was managed by City in the second half. 6

Steven Naismith Posed problems early but became a little anonymous as the game went on. 6

Romelu Lukaku – The Belgian was a muscular presence in the first half, linking up play well, and took his goal very well, but lost his touch and became increasingly isolated in the second half. 6

Substitutes

Darron Gibson Was unable to have any real affect on the game. 5

Gerard Deulofeu N/A

Arouna Kone N/A