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Player Ratings: Manchester City 2-0 Southampton

Sports Mole rates the best and worst players in the Premier League match between Manchester City and Southampton at the Etihad Stadium.

Frank Lampard scored on his final Premier League appearance as Manchester City ended their season by beating Southampton 2-0 this afternoon.

The midfielder directed a low cross from James Milner into the roof of the net to give City the lead in the first half.

Sergio Aguero then wrapped up the points late on with a close-range header to extend the Citizens's winning run to six games.

Here, Sports Mole rates the best and worst performances from the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City's English midfielder Frank Lampard celerbates scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Southampton at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England on May 24, 2015© Getty Images


MANCHESTER CITY

Goal

Joe Hart: The keeper was rarely tested, but he commanded his area well and had to be alert to keep out a low strike from Long in the first half. (7/10)

Defence

Pablo Zabaleta: Tried to get forward as much as possible, but had to be aware of the danger of Mane and Long down his flank. He struggled against their pace at times, but was generally solid throughout. (6/10)

Martin Demichelis: Booked early on for a tackle on Mane that left him walking a tightrope. However, he was reliable from that moment on and kept Pelle quiet all afternoon. (7/10)

Eliaquim Mangala: Decent outing for the Frenchman, who has struggled at times during his first season at the club. Along with Demichelis, he helped the defence to hold a solid line and he was also strong in the air. (7/10)

Aleksandar Kolarov: The Serbian was not overly troubled down his side of the pitch, although he failed to cause many problems for the Saints in a subdued display. (6/10)

Midfield

James Milner: Committed performance as ever from the midfielder, who set up the opening goal with a fine cross for Lampard. It may have been his final game for City and he received a great applause when he went off late on. (7/10)

Frank Lampard: On his last Premier League appearance, the former England international found the back of the net with a trademark goal. He also helped City to control the midfield and was another who received a fine reception when he left the pitch. (7/10)

David Silva: Classy display from the Spaniard, who was heavily involved in the opening goal. He looked a class apart from most on the pitch and all of City's best work came through him. (7/10)

Fernandinho: The Brazilian was reliable for City in the heart of the midfield and helped them to build their attacks from the back, while also closing down his opponents when they broke at pace. (6/10)

Yaya Toure: Not the best performance from the Ivorian, but he did show a few signs of his class with some lung-busting runs through the midfield. He looked tired in the second half and was eventually replaced by Bony. (6/10)

Attack

Sergio Aguero: The Argentine had plenty of chances to score, but he was denied by a number of saves from Davis. He eventually nodded in a simple goal two minutes from the end to score his 26th league goal of the season and secure the Golden Boot. (7/10)

Substitutes

Wilfried Bony: Provided a couple of moments of danger when he came on, but was unable to test Davis. (6/10)

Jesus Navas: Failed to make any impact after replacing Lampard late on. (6/10)

Vincent Kompany: Came on for the closing stages and helped City to see out the match. (6/10)


SOUTHAMPTON

Goal

Kelvin Davis: The keeper had little chance of stopping either of the goals, but he made a string of fine saves to deny Aguero and it kept his side in the game for large spells. (7/10)

Defence

Nathaniel Clyne: Did not come under too much pressure down his flank and managed to keep Kolarov at bay. (6/10)

Jose Fonte: Not the greatest of afternoons for the defender, who was caught out by the pace of Aguero on numerous occasions, although he was far more solid after the break. (6/10)

Toby Alderweireld: Just like Fonte, he found it hard to deal with the threat of Aguero. However, he did make some vital clearances and looked assured in possession. (6/10)

Ryan Bertrand: Got into some decent areas, but his final ball let him down on a couple of occasions. The opening goal may also be pinned on him, as he allowed Milner far too much space to cross for Lampard. (6/10)

Midfield

Steven Davis: Struggled to make any real impact, with City seeing so much of the ball, but he worked hard before he was replaced by Elia late in the second half. (6/10)

Victor Wanyama: Battling display from the Kenyan, who never shied away from a challenge and tried to help his team wrestle back control of the ball from their dominant opponents. (7/10)

Filip Djuricic: Showed some neat touches in the opening period, but he failed to make any real impact and was replaced early in the second half by Ward-Prowse. (5/10)

Attack

Shane Long: The Irishman was one of Southampton's most dangerous players and he came close in the first half with a low strike that was saved by Hart. He threatened again a couple of times after the break, but his finishing was not clinical enough. (6/10)

Sadio Mane: Looked lively throughout the match, with his pace and trickery causing problems for the City defence. However, his decision-making in the final third wasn't great and he was unable to add to the quickfire hat-trick that he scored last weekend. (6/10)

Graziano Pelle: Frustrating performance from the striker, who was caught offside on a number of occasions. He seemed slightly off the pace and rarely came close to finding the net. (5/10)

Substitutes

James Ward-Prowse: Did not make too much of an impact following his arrival. (6/10)

Eljero Elia: Came on for the closing stages and struggled to get into the match. (6/10)


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Manchester City's English midfielder Frank Lampard celerbates scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Southampton at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England on May 24, 2015
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Match Analysis: Manchester City 2-0 Southampton
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