Man City Match Zone

3 City Players Make Pundits Team Of The Week – I Would Have Had 4

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Manchester City went to the Welsh capital on Saturday, run rampant and then returned home with three Premier League points in the bag.

It wasn’t City’s best performance six games into the new season, and if I’m honest, I was expecting more from Cardiff City. Nevertheless, you won’t hear me moan. Far from it.

Team of the Week

BBC TV football pundit Garth Crooks has been naming his ‘team of the week’ for what seems like eons, and this week is no exception.

Riyad Mahrez bagged a brace while Ilkay Gundogan, Sergio and my ‘man of the match,’ Bernardo added to the 5-0 win.

Garth Crooks TOTW

This is what Garth said about his three chosen City players.

Ilkay Gundogan

There was no David Silva for Manchester City, but they didn’t need him. Gundogan was immense. The Germany international scored one and could have had five. However, the tackle on Gundogan by Joe Ralls was a shocker and should have seen the Cardiff midfielder sent off. It’s not the first time Ralls has singled out Gundogan for special attention. In last season’s FA Cup tie, Ralls caught Gundogan with a similar challenge. I gave Ralls the benefit of the doubt in that game, but not this one.”

Sergio Aguero

“Regular readers of my TOTW will know my thoughts on Sergio Aguero. He is one of the most complete finishers we have ever had on these shores, especially in the modern era, and he has the stats to prove it. Against Cardiff, the Argentine assassin scored his 205th goal in his 300th appearance for Manchester City. And he’s never won Footballer of the Year or the PFA Player of the Year. What does he have to do?”

Raheem Sterling

“There was a moment in the game when Manchester City were 4-0 up and still coming at Cardiff like it was the Charge of the Light Brigade. There was one point when five City players were practically queuing up to put the ball in the back of the net. Meanwhile, Raheem Sterling was running riot, and there was nothing Cardiff City could do about it.”

I believe Crooks missed a trick here and should have added Bernardo Silva.

silvacardiff

One could say Bernardo’s back-headed goal was a fluke. I would say he has eyes in the back of his head and his precision was intended (coughs).

He also assisted in Sergio’s 32 minute and 300th MCFC career goal.

His passion, ball control and eye for a pass, at times makes my eyes water. What a guy, what a player.

Opta stats

Bernardo scored and assisted in the same game for the first time EVER for Manchester City in his 61 appearances for the club in all competitions.

His stats aren’t too shabby are they, bearing in mind his City career began with a bit of a whimper.

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