Manchester City made it nine matches unbeaten in all competitions with a 2-0 Champions League win away at Villarreal.
Erling Haaland fired the Blues in front early on, scoring in a 12th consecutive game for club and country.
Before half-time, club captain Bernardo Silva headed home a Savinho cross to double the visitors’ advantage.
**Pep Guardiola**’s side have now won seven points from a possible nine in Europe this season.
Below, VAVEL have rated the City players’ performances at Estadio de la Ceramica.
Ratings:
Gianluigi Donnarumma - 7.5
Made a couple of good stops to keep his clean sheet, denying Gueye late on and dealing with a looping ball in the first half.
While comparisons with Ederson have been rife since his arrival at the Etihad Stadium, the Italian also showcased great composure with the ball at his feet.
Gianluigi Donnarumma kept his second clean sheet in three UCL appearances for his new club (Photo: Jose Jordan/AFP, Getty Images)
Matheus Nunes - 7.5
In **Abdukodir Khusanov**’s absence, this was another very strong showing from Nunes at right-back, looking after the ball and carrying it forward very well.
John Stones - 8
Akin to the role he played in City’s 2023 treble victory, Stones stepped into midfield and to great effect. While also being very tidy in possession, the Englishman also showed his natural defensive traits on several occasions.
Ruben Dias - 7.5
Another solid display from the Blues’ Portuguese rock, who shut down the Villarreal attack with some strong defensive challenges. Dias also misplaced just three of his 117 attempted passes (the most) in the game.
Ruben Dias marshalled the City defence to another clean sheet (Photo: Pablo Rodriguez/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Josko Gvardiol - 7
On his return to the starting 11, Gvardiol wasn’t quite as tidy as he often is in possession, but next to no threat came from Nicolas Pepe on that flank.
Nico - 7.5
As he grows into that ‘**Rodri** role’ in this City side, this was another impressive performance. Nico was composed on the ball, picked his passes and was fairly untroubled defensively.
He did lose possession in the first half, which led to a counter-attack, but it was another steady display overall, and City fans will be hoping the injury that forced him off the pitch isn’t too serious.
Rico Lewis - 8
Rico Lewis’ inclusion in the starting 11 was probably the one that raised the most eyebrows, but he proved his worth again in midfield. After winning several man of the match awards in Europe in 2023, the 20-year-old delivered on the continental stage again with terrific energy levels, threatening runs and a perfect assist for Haaland’s opener.
Rico Lewis set up Erling Haaland after a bursting run from midfield (Photo: Javier Soriano/AFP via Getty Images)
Bernardo Silva - 8
City’s second goalscorer also rolled back the years with a performance to show that he’s ageing like fine wine. Silva, on his 418th appearance for the club, dropped deep to pick up the ball and dictate the tempo, while covering so much ground as he often does.
The 31-year-old scored his 74th City goal with a header that was perfectly placed for a 5’8 man.
Savinho - 8.5 (MOTM)
After speculation over a potential move to Spurs was put to bed in the summer, City fans had been left wanting more from Savinho. He assisted Haaland at the weekend in a win over Everton and was rewarded with another start.
The Brazilian repaid the faith shown in him by Guardiola by presenting a real threat to the home side’s defence, creating three big chances, including the cross for Silva’s header.
Savinho grabbed a second assist in four days with a lovely cross to assist Bernardo Silva (Photo: David Ramos/Getty Images)
Erling Haaland - 7.5
As is often the case, Haaland was seldom involved in the Premier League side’s build-up play. But when the chance came, he took it and that early goal - a lovely weak-footed finish taken first time - set the tone for a fairly routine night for his club.
He made a couple of chances for himself later on but comes away with just the one goal today.
Erling Haaland has now scored in his last 12 matches for club and country (Photo: David Ramos/Getty Images)
Jeremy Doku - 6.5
After a real hot streak of form, this was another match where Doku couldn’t quite deliver. While threatening as ever, the Belgian didn’t always have the beating of his man and when given the opportunity, couldn’t provide an end product.
Substitutes:
Mateo Kovacic - 7
A really impressive half hour cameo. Kovacic didn’t misplace a single pass and pulled off some great diagonal balls and forays forward.
Oscar Bobb - 6
Aside from drawing a foul which led to a yellow card for a Villarreal defender, Bobb’s cameo didn’t yield much of note.
Tijjani Reijnders - 6
This was only the second time this season that the Dutchman hasn’t started. A foul… a nice long ball… a mixed bag off the bench.
Rayan Cherki - N/A
Omar Marmoush - N/A
Guardiola’s final two substitutes didn’t quite have enough time to make an impact.