Match Coverage

Player Ratings: Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea (Premier League)

Published:

18:08

May 21st 2023

| Last Updated:

11:35

May 22nd 2023

Nathan Allen

A much-changed Manchester City celebrated with win over Chelsea before being presented with a third straight Premier League trophy at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday evening.

Pep Guardiola made nine changes from the team that dismantled Real Madrid in midweek, handing opportunities to several players who have had to be patient this season.

The result was a performance that felt understandably different from vintage City but there was still plenty to enjoy, with an array of young talents shining up and down the pitch.

Julian Alvarez finished off a Cole Palmer pass to bag City’s only goal of the game early in the first half, but both sides hit the woodwork in a game that was far more exciting than the scoreline suggests.

Here’s how we rated the players from Manchester City’s narrow triumph over Frank Lampard’s side:

#ManCity are 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗘𝗥 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗚𝗨𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦… 𝗔𝗚𝗔𝗜𝗡!!! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/cKR01cFfDt
— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) May 20, 2023

Stefan Ortega – 7

Grew busier and busier as the game went on but the German just about kept out everything Chelsea threw at him, most of which came from Raheem Sterling.

Kyle Walker – 6

One of the two players to keep his place, Walker was in fine form after pocketing Vinicius Jr. in the Champions League semi-final on Wednesday.

Manuel Akanji – 6

Another solid outing for the Swiss defender, who rarely looked troubled by Chelsea.

Aymeric Laporte – 6

Possibly made his final appearance at the Etihad Stadium with a clean sheet and a good performance.

Sergio Gomez – 6

Rarely seen since City went out of the Carabao Cup, Gomez acquitted himself well. When the team is playing well at home, it’s not hard to see why City bought the Spaniard – he just needs to translate it to the high-pressure matches.

Kalvin Phillips – 6

Has had very little opportunity all season to show his quality but he definitely showed some today. Phillips moved the ball nicely while some of the flashier players stole all the attention, which is exactly what Pep wants from his number six. Hit the upright with a header in the second half.

Rico Lewis – 7

It’s so much fun to watch Lewis. I have to mention the flick with the inside of his boot that nearly set up a goal in the first half – how many right-backs would improvise that?

Whether the plan is to move him into midfield or to eventually have him take over from Walker, it’s hard not to look forward to seeing more of the teenage City academy star next season.

Cole Palmer – 7

You have to feel for Palmer, who still didn’t get a chance to play on his favoured side with Mahrez deployed on the right flank. But the youngster didn’t sit around feeling sorry for himself, instead putting in by far his best performance of the season.

Positive and direct, he caused serious problems for Chelsea’s defence with his runs and did brilliantly to set up the opening goal.

Phil Foden – 8 (MOTM)

Foden in midfield really has to be the future. He put on a clinic playing behind the striker, coming very close to one of the goals of the season in the first half. It’s frightening to think how good he could be as an out-and-out number 10, but he may need to wait a few more years before that happens.

Riyad Mahrez – 6

Set up Alvarez in the second half, but the goal was rightly ruled out for a handball. Most of the play came down the left hand side, which limited Mahrez’s involvement a little until he was taken off for Erling Haaland.

Julian Alvarez – 7

Yet another goal – 17th of the season – for the Argentine, whose resemblance to a young Sergio Aguero grows with every passing game.

Guardiola has toyed with two-striker formations in the past and I would not be surprised at all to see him do it again in preseason. Alvarez usually plays well when asked to deputise for De Bruyne, but his goal threat is too valuable to ignore.