Player Ratings: Southampton 2-0 Manchester City (Carabao Cup Quarter-Final)

Manchester City fell to a 2-0 defeat against Southampton at St Mary’s on Wednesday evening as they exited the Carabao Cup at the quarter-final stage.

A first half goal by Sekou Mara followed by a long-range strike from Moussa Djenepo proved to be too much for City as Pep Guardiola lost his first domestic cup quarter-final.

Here’s how we rated each player’s performance against Southampton:

Stefan Ortega – 4

The German’s distribution was okay, despite looking nervy in moments. Nevertheless, his positioning for Southampton’s second goal was inexcusable and ultimately cost City the game.

Joao Cancelo – 4

Like much of the side tonight, things just didn’t click for Cancelo. Usually one of City’s more creative players, the Portuguese full-back struggled to impose anything of real significance on the game and was often poor on the ball.

Kyle Walker – 4

Clearly not a centre-half, Walker was caught glaringly out position for Southampton’s first goal. His distribution of the ball left a lot to be desired too. The Englishmen was subbed at half-time Manuel Akanji.

Aymeric Laporte – 5.5

Probably the best out a best bunch this evening. Laporte didn’t really put a foot wrong, he produced some good blocks, one against Kyle Walker-Peters in the second-half comes to mind.

Sergio Gomez – 3

Prior to being replaced at half-time in favour of Nathan Ake, Gomez was well below par. Constantly losing the ball and looking shaky defensively.

Tonight ultimate provided more evidence for some supporters claims that he isn’t good enough for Pep Guardiola’s squad.

Kalvin Phillips – 4.5

The Englishmen looked lost all evening. Perhaps it’s because we have become accustomed to Rodri’s weekly immense performances but Phillip’s didn’t look at it at all and could be questioned for both goals. The Englishman was consequently subbed for Rodri midway through the second-half.

Ilkay Gundogan – 5.5

Similar to Laporte, Gundogan didn’t really do anything wrong all evening apart from a miscued effort in the first-half. The German was rather unlucky not to grab an assist when Julian Alvarez failed to convert his cutback late in the game.

Cole Palmer – 5

Another lackluster showing from Palmer. The academy graduate offered little to nothing going forwards and wasted one of City’s two first-half chances.

Jack Grealish – 5.5

Following a great impact off the bench at Stamford Bridge last Thursday, Grealish didn’t produce the same tonight. The former Aston Villa captain did beat his full-back a couple of times in the first half but couldn’t produce a good enough final ball. He was subbed for Erling Haaland in the 56th minute.

Julian Alvarez – 5.5

Quiet all evening, Alvarez was limited with service all night but when the two chances came his way, both in the second-half, he didn’t take them.

Phil Foden – 4.5

Despite a good display against Chelsea in the FA-Cup at the weekend, Foden spent more of this evening moaning at the referee than he did creating anything for the Blues. Normally one to beat his man with ease, City’s golden-boy found things difficult against Walker-Peters.

Zero shots on target. #ManCity are out of the Carabao Cup. pic.twitter.com/BJb2tJjwTF

— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) January 11, 2023

Substitutes:

Kevin De Bruyne – 5.5

Brought on at half-time, De Bruyne made an instant impact when he slotted through Alvarez, who failed to convert. Things didn’t carry on like that though, with the Belgian failing to cause the Saints’ defence any real issues.

Manuel Akanji – 5.5

Coming on at 2-0 down, the Southampton attackers took a much more conservative approach in the second-half and consequently left Akanji with not much to do.

Nathan Ake – 5.5

Similar to Akanji, Ake didn’t have much to do when he came on at half-time.

Erling Haaland – 5

A striker that thrives on service, Haaland’s chances were limited in the second-half. However, he did fail to convert the half-chance created by him for Rodri late on.

Rodri – N/A