We rate the players in the crunch encounter between Manchester City and Liverpool at Eastlands on Sunday.
By Abhishek Mehrotra
Manchester City
Shay Given - 5
Barely had to stretch a muscle in the game.
Joleon Lescott - 7
Was superb along with partner Kompany. Was particularly good in the air which was crucial since most of Liverpool's threats came via set-pieces or corners.
Vincent Kompany - 6.5
A dominant performance by the centre back. Neutralised Dirk Kuyt such that the Dutchman never got a chance on goal. Cleared with authority and protected his keeper well.
Wayne Bridge - 5
Contained Babel effectively but was not too great going forward himself.
Pablo Zabaleta - 8
One of the better players in a mediocre game. Defended magnificently and really sparkled when going forward. Was not afraid of going down the flank or right through midfield. Linked up well with both Adam Johnson and Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Gareth Barry - 5
Worked well with De Jong to draw Liverpool's sting in midfield but his delivery into the box was very poor indeed.
Nigel De Jong - 6
His mandate was to keep Steven Gerrard quiet and De Jong managed that quite effectively. The Liverpool captain rarely got a chance to shoot - a testament to the Dutchman's work rate.
Stephen Ireland - 4
Was not on top of his game which was a pity given the form Adebayor was in. Found himself in space quite often and had a number of chances to shoot but his diffidence allowed Liverpool to clear the ball easily.
Adam Johnson - 6
Switched wings constantly with Wright-Phillips to keep the Liverpool backline on their toes. Got some joy on the right by repeatedly skipping past Emiliano Insua. The Reds defence was well co-ordinated though and helped their teammate keep out Johnson.
Shaun Wright-Phillips - 6.5
Was indefatigable throughout the match - attacking and defending with his usual enthusiasm. Converted defence into attack for City on numerous occasions - and drew numerous fouls from the Liverpool midfielders who struggled to keep up with his pace. However, he found it very difficult to get past Jamie Carragher - marshalling Liverpool's right flank.
Emmanuel Adebayor - 7.5
Although he was playing as an out an out striker, the Togolese actually directed play from the edge of the area. He brought down long balls superbly and spread it out to both wings with some precise passing and eye-catching flicks. It's a pity that other City forwards were not quite on top of their game.
Substitutes
Craig Bellamy - 6
Was quite threatening down the right but never found his footing on a rainy night at Eastlands. Lost possession in good areas.
Abdisalam Ibrahim - n.a
Liverpool
Pepe Reina - 7
Was very assured - especially against the height of Adebayor. Also got down brilliantly to stop a stinger from the striker. Punched the ball away with authority and his distribution was superb as always.
Daniel Agger - 6.5
Combined well with Martin Skrtel to shut out whatever little attacking threat City could muster.
Martin Skrtel - 6.5
Stood upto Emmanuel Adebayor quite well - not allowing the striker to get past him at any juncture. Did not allow the tall striker to outjump him either.
Emiliano Insua - 5
Barely offered anything going foward on the left. Was steady in defence without doing anything really spectacular.
Jamie Carragher - 6
Stood no nonsense from Wright-Phillips and did not allow the slippery winger to feed the forwards. Crossing is not his forte though and Liverpool lost momentum when the veteran chose to pass back into midfield instead of slinging it into the box.
Lucas - 3.5
Was extremely sloppy - getting caught in possession in midfield time and again. His passes were under or overhit which put the Reds in many a spot of bother.
Javier Mascherano - 6.5
Covered the sides every time Liverpool's wingers went forward. Anticipated danger very well and prevented the likes of Barry and De Jong from initiating attacks.
Ryan Babel - 4
Not quite the performance that Benitez would have been looking for. The winger was frequently bundled off the ball and never really looked confident enough to take on defenders or cut in from the right to carve out a shooting chance for himself.
Maxi Rodriguez - 4
Started the game brightly with some good movement on the flanks. Caught the mediocrity bug from the other players as the game wore on and became so ineffective that Benitez had to replace him with Yossi Benayoun.
Steven Gerrard - 5.5
Was shut out of the game very well by De Jong and Barry and never really influenced the game from open play. His dead-ball delivery was absolutely spot on though - causing a flurry of panic in the City defence.
Dirk Kuyt - 4
Did not look too comfortable playing as the lone striker. Struggled to get the better of Kompany and Lescott - rarely getting a sniff of the goal.
Substitutes
Yossi Benayoun - 5.5
Could have won a penalty with some lovely trickery right at the end. Chose not to go down however, and the chance went abegging.
Fernando Torres - 5
Barely got a touch on the ball on his return to league action.
Alberto Aquilani - n.a
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