Manchester City 5 Huddersfield Town 0: City player ratings as City stroll past Huddersfield

Here are the Manchester City player ratings as the FA Cup holders booked their place in the fourth round of the competition with a comfortable 5-nil win over Huddersfield Town. In truth, the treble winners were rarely troubled by the visitors as Darren Moore’s side attempted to keep it tight at the back and hit City on the counter.

The Terriers resistance lasted until the 33rd minute when the inspired Phil Foden broke the deadlock when he lashed home from close range to open the scoring. Julian Alvarez effectively ended the game as a contest 4 minutes later as he reacted quickest to a Rico Lewis flick-on to make it 2-nil. Pep Guardiola’s side went in at the interval up 2-nil and in truth barely got out of second gear.

The second half began with the biggest question being whether would we see the return of Kevin De Bruyne from injury after Guardiola warned that the midfielder needed time to return to his best. The answer was yes as Cuty’s inspirational midfielder was introduced in the 57th minute alongside Jeremy Doku to a rousing reception from the City faithful.

A minute after their introduction the FA Cup holders added a third goal after an Oscar Bobb cross was diverted into his own goal by unlucky Huddersfield defender Ben Jackson.

The world champions would add a fourth in the 65th minute through Phil Foden after a sparkling move. The England international expertly finished into the bottom corner from 20 yards after a sumptuous flick-on from Mateo Kovacic.

There was time for the champions to add a 5th and it was provided by the returning Kevin De Bruyne. The midfielder played a neat move with Oscar Bobb then he provided a typically precise De Bruyne cross for Doku to add another in the 74th minute. It was an ominous passage of play for Manchester City’s rivals given the City legend looked keen to make up for lost time.

The champions will now rest up before next weekends Premier League clash with Newcastle United at St. James Park.

Here are the City player ratings from the 5-nil win.

City player ratings

Stefan Ortega-6/10: Was rarely required but made two quality saves late on. Yet another clean sheet in the FA Cup Ortega.

Manuel Akanji-N/A: Substituted within the opening 15 minutes after being on the receiving end of a crunching challenge. City will be hoping the injury isn’t too serious given Akanji’s importance to Pep Guardiola’s squad.

Ruben Dias-6.5/10: He was good in possession on a quiet day at the back for the City defence.

Josko Gvardiol-7/10: Another polished display. Did his job in the centre of defence with a minimal amount of fuss in his favoured position.

Sergio Gomez-7/10: Was a constant threat on City’s left-hand side. There is a player there he just needs games.

Rico Lewis-7/10: Another good performance. Is quickly becoming a vital part of Pep Guardiola’s squad.

Mateo Kovacic-7.5/10: A superb performance from Kovacic. His layoff for Foden’s second goal was pure class. Appears back to his best at the right time for City.

Oscar Bobb-7/10: Some magical touches from the starlet. Grabbed an assist as it was his ball that was deflected in for City’s third.

Phil Foden-9/10: Yet another man-of-the-match performance from Foden. Scored twice and was easily his team’s most dangerous player. On current form, there aren’t many better players in Europe.

Jack Grealish-6/10: Spent the majority of the game on the periphery of the contest. Some nice touches at times but couldn’t get into the game.

Julian Alvarez-7/10: Showed his goal-scoring instincts to add City’s second. Put in a busy display as per usual before being substituted.

Substitutes

Matheus Nunes-7/10: Came on after Akanji’s early injury. Put himself about in a busy display, especially in the second half.

Kevin De Bruyne-7/10: Provided an assist and looks fit and ready to go for the second half of the season. Was a great moment when he came onto the pitch.

Jeremy Doku-7/10: Grabbed a goal with a calm finish from De Bruyne’s cross for City’s 5th. Looked fit and ready for what comes this season.

Jacob Wright-N/A: Not on long enough to mark.

Micah Hamilton-N/A: Not on long enough to mark.