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Player Ratings: West Bromwich Albion 0-3 Manchester City

Sports Mole rates the best and worst players from the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Manchester City at the Hawthorns.

Manchester City opened their new Premier League campaign by easing to a 3-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion this evening.

Yaya Toure gave the Citizens an early lead when his low strike was flicked on by David Silva and deflected into the net by Craig Dawson.

The Ivorian added a second goal with a curling effort into the top corner, before Vincent Kompany headed in a third to seal the points.

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


Saido Berahino of West Bromwich Albion reacts during the Barclays Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Manchester City at The Hawthorns on August 10, 2015© Getty Images

WEST BROM

Goal

Boaz Myhill: The keeper made a number of saves as City completely dominated. He can hardly be blamed for the first two goals, but may feel that he could have organised his defence better as Kompany headed in from a corner. (6/10)

Defence

James Chester: Struggled against the pace of Sterling and was beaten by the winger a number of times. He was also caught badly out of position by Kolarov and ended the night with a booking. (5/10)

Joleon Lescott: Was not given any protection by his midfield and was forced to commit to challenges which left him out of position and exposed. (6/10)

Craig Dawson: Could have done little about the deflection that led to the first goal, but was beaten far too easily in behind on a number of occasions. (5/10)

Chris Brunt: Looked uncomfortable playing in the full-back role and rarely showed his threat getting forward down the left. (5/10)

Midfield

Craig Gardner: Was overrun by the City midfield. He also had a couple of efforts on goal, with both shots going well wide of the target. (5/10)

James Morrison: Played a great pass to set Berahino free and had a decent header saved, but could not handle the strength of Toure. (6/10)

Darren Fletcher: Picked up a booking for a foul on Silva and failed to assert himself on the match. (6/10)

James McClean: The winger barely made an impact in the first half and he was replaced at the break by Yacob. (5/10)

Attack

Saido Berahino: Put in plenty of effort and tried to help his team win back possession, but fluffed his lines early in the second half when through on goal. (6/10)

Rickie Lambert: Underwhelming debut for the England striker. He fired a couple of long-range free kicks over the bar, but was largely kept quiet by the City defence. (5/10)

Substitutes

Claudio Yacob: Came on at half time and quickly picked up a booking. (6/10)

Victor Anichebe: Looked lively when he was brought on and tested Hart with a stinging drive. (6/10)

Callum McManaman: Had little time to impress after coming on for the last 10 minutes. (6/10)


Yaya Toure of Manchester City (2L) is congratulated by team mates as he scores their first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Manchester City at The Hawthorns on August 10, 2015© Getty Images

MANCHESTER CITY

Goal

Joe Hart: Was largely a spectator, but did make a good save from a Morrison header and was quick off his line to stop Berahino in his tracks. (7/10)

Defence

Bacary Sagna: Barely given any trouble down his side of the pitch, with McClean taken off at half time after making such little impact. (7/10)

Vincent Kompany: Commanding presence at the back for the Citizens. The captain was rarely beaten in the air and he rounded off a fine team display with the third goal. (8/10)

Eliaquim Mangala: The Frenchman was criticised for his displays last season, but he did not put a foot wrong this evening. He won every challenge and was reliable throughout. (7/10)

Aleksandar Kolarov: Got forward at every chance he could and caused no end of problems for Chester. Saw a couple of powerful efforts saved and was involved in many of his team's best moves. (8/10)

Midfield

Fernandinho: May not get all the plaudits he deserves, but he played a vital role in helping City to dominate the midfield and never shied away from a tackle. (7/10)

Yaya Toure: Superb display from the Ivorian, who scored two of City's goals. His first was a fortunate deflection, but the second was a wonderful effort into the top corner. He was also a powerful figure in the heart of the midfield and the opposition couldn't handle him. (9/10)

David Silva: Classy performance as ever from the Spaniard. He played a big part in the first goal and set up the third for Kompany. He always used the ball well and helped his team to control the game. (8/10)

Attack

Raheem Sterling: Solid debut for the former Liverpool man. He should have scored a third for City at the end of the first half when his low effort was saved by Myhill, but he was busy throughout and showed some excellent touches. (7/10)

Jesus Navas: Set up Toure for the first goal and gave Brunt a number of problems with his darting runs down the right. (7/10)

Wilfried Bony: Led the line well in place of Aguero. Provided the assist for Toure's second goal and had a couple of decent efforts that almost found the net. (7/10)

Substitutes

Samir Nasri: Replaced Sterling and slotted effortlessly into the City midfield. (6/10)

Sergio Aguero: Looked dangerous as ever and had a couple of efforts on goal, but was unable to find a way past Myhill. (7/10)

Martin Demichelis: Came on in the closing stages to help City see out the game. (6/10)


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Yaya Toure of Manchester City (2L) is congratulated by team mates as he scores their first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Manchester City at The Hawthorns on August 10, 2015
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