Man City player ratings vs Stoke: England ace claims MOTM as City soar to league summit

Man City hit Stoke for seven this afternoon, as Pep Guardiola’s side ran riot to return to the top of the Premier League.

Man City opened the scoring in the 17th minute, after a ball from Belgian Kevin De Bruyne found Kyle Walker, who burst into the Stoke penalty area before firing the ball across goal for Gabriel Jesus, who tapped the ball home.

City then doubled their lead just two minutes later, and De Bruyne was involved again, as the midfielder put through Leroy Sane with a fine through ball, with the German then squaring the ball to Raheem Sterling who put the ball into the unguarded net.

City then added a third in the 27th minute, and what a goal it was. 21-year-old winger Sane was put through by Jesus, as the Germany international then drilled the ball across goal for Sterling, who laid the ball back for David Silva, who fired his shot past Jack Butland.

The away side then pulled a goal back just before half time, as former Man United forward Mame Biram Diouf saw his shot deflect past Ederson after he was put through by Jese.

Stoke then pulled another one back just after the break, as a cross from Tom Edwards found it’s way onto the head of Diouf, whose header was deflected in off of Walker to cut the deficit in half.

City then put the result beyond doubt in the 56th minute, as a cross from De Bruyne found its way to Jesus, who cooly applied the finish to give the home side their fourth.

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City then added a fifth in the 60th minute, as Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho fired an absolute screamer past Butland in the Stoke goal to pile further misery on the away side.

Pep Guardiola’s side then scored a sixth in the 63rd minute, as a fantastic pass from De Bruyne allowed Sane a chance to score, and the winger took it as he slammed the ball home to score City’s 28th league goal of the season.

The home side then scored a seventh in the 79th minute, as Sterling put through substitute Bernardo Silva, who poked the ball past Butland to secure all three points for the Citizens.

Man City player ratings: Ederson 6, Walker 7, Otamendi 6, Stones 7, Delph 7, De Bruyne 9, D Silva 8, Sterling 9, Fernandinho 8, Sane, 7, Jesus 8

Substitutes: B Silva 7, Toure 6, Gundogan 6