Sporting 4-1 Manchester City Player Ratings as Gyokeres’ hat-trick stuns Guardiola’s side

Sporting CP created one of the major upsets after hammering Manchester City 4-1 in the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 group stage game, with Viktor Gyokeres stealing the headlines with a stunning hat-trick. City were the dominant side in the first half, with Phil Foden giving them a quick lead following a mistake from Hidemassa Morita. The visitors were paid for their missed opportunities when Gyokeres equalised with a wonderful run behind the defence, followed by a cool finish over Ederson’s head, just before the half time.

The hosts started the second half on the front foot as Maximiliano Araujo took the lead in the very first minute. Not long after, Josko Gvardiol conceded a penalty, which was duly converted by Gyokeres from the spot. City were allowed to get back into the game after VAR awarded a penalty in their favour, but Erling Haaland hit the post from the spot. The night went from bad to worse for Man City when Matheus Nunes conceded another penalty, with Gyokeres again clinical with his strike to complete his hat-trick as well as putting the game to bed.

Sporting Player Ratings vs Manchester City

Goalkeeper

Franco Israel: 6/10 – Although he should have done better for Foden’s opener, the young goalkeeper made a flurry of top-class saves against Erling Haaland.

Defenders

Ousmane Diamonde: 5/10 – His defensive contributions almost went in vain after VAR adjudged his handball a penalty; however, much to his relief, Haaland missed his shot from the spot.

Matheus Reis: 6/10 – Looked tentative throughout the first half but became an improved player after the break

Zeno Debast: 7/10 – The Belgian colossus produced yet another impressive performance, clearing every possible threat from City.

Midfielders

Maximiliano Araujo: 7/10 – The Uruguayan scored a fantastic goal after making a bursting run down the the left-flank. Also managed to handle Savinho’s threat for the larger spells of the game

Geovany Quenda: 7/10 – The 17-year-old prospect set up Gyokeres’ equaliser with a delightful through-ball. Also worked hard off the ball.

Hidemassa Morita: 5/10 – At fault for City’s opener as he was robbed of possession by Foden before unleashing a powerful strike into the nets.

Morten Hjulmand: 7/10 – The Sporting skipper grew into the game once Sporting started to pick up the steam. Won the balls at will and also tried to thread in progressive passes whenever the chance arose.

Attackers

Francisco Trincao: 5/10 – Provided dangerous runs on numerous breaks although his final delivery wasn’t up to the mark

Pedro Goncalves: 7/10 – Sporting’s creative hub set up Araujo with a brilliant assist, that caught Akanji

Viktor Gyokeres: 8/10 – Outpaced inexperienced Simpson-Pusey with a brilliantly timed run behind the defence and finished off Quenda’s through-ball with a nonchalant chip over Ederson’s head.

Substitutes

Geny Catamo: 6/10 – Looked vibrant and also won a penalty that led to Sporting’s winning strike.

Conrad Harder: N/A

Eduardo Quaresma: N/A

Daniel Braganca: N/A

Jeremiah Israel St Juste: N/A

Manager

Ruben Amorim: 8/10 – Outclassed Guardiola in every facet in the first of the many meetings. Couldn’t have asked for a better result in his last game for Sporting in the Champions League.

Also Read: Liverpool 4-0 Bayer Leverkusen: Player ratings as Luis Diaz nets sensational hat-trick to rout German champions at Anfield

Manchester City Player Ratings vs Sporting

Goalkeeper

Ederson: 4/10 – Despite lacking the support from his defenders, Ederson’s efforts for some of Sporting’s goals were not up to his standards.

Defenders

Josko Gvardiol: 4/10 – A dreadful performance from the Croatian defender. Should have done better to prevent Quenda from triggering a through-ball to Gyokeres and also conceded a penalty at the start of the second half, which led to Sporting’s third goal

Jahmai Simpson-Pusey: 4/10 – The lack of experience was seen as he was completely beaten for pace by an unstoppable Gyokeres for the equaliser. A similar scenario was nearly repeated in the second half, but luckily the Swedish striker missed his opportunity.

Manuel Akanji: 5/10 – Found wanting for Araujo’s goal as he failed to intercept Goncalves’ pass.

Rico Lewis: 6/10 – Lewis thrived in the half-spaces and also tried to make things happen when City were trailing.

Midfielders

Mateo Kovacic: 7/10 One of the best performances for Man City, Kovacic continued to showcase his consistency. Brilliantly controlled the tempo when City tried to get back into the game and also fed in a couple of dangerous balls into the penalty box.

Matheus Nunes: 3/10 – Nunes’ frustrating night against his former side was capped off by his foul on Catamo inside the penalty box.

Bernardo Silva: 5/10 – The Portuguese veteran made some sneaky runs into the penalty box but to little or no effect

Phil Foden: 7/10 – Foden continued his impressive form in the Champions League this season. Set the tone of the game with a brilliant finish after winning the ball on his own. Also provided a couple of dangerous balls to Erling Haaland.

Attackers

Savinho: 6/10 – The Brazilian became more lively once City tried to get back into the game after the break. His mazy dribbling skills created all sorts of problems for Sporting, whose tight defence, nevertheless, negated his threat.

Erling Haaland: 4/10 – An underwhelming evening for the Norwegian where nothing went in his way. Was unfortunate not to find the score sheet in the 1st half due to Israel’s solid goalkeeping. Haaland’s performance went from bad to worse in the second half when he rattled the crossbar from the penalty spot.

Substitutes

Kevin De Bruyne: N/A

Jeremy Doku: N/A

Ilkay Gundogan: N/A

Manager

Pep Guardiola: 4/10 – Man City’s woes were laid bare again for the second game in the running. Pep Guardiola appears not to have fixed City’s issues in transitions. A damaging result for the English champions which would hamper their confidence.

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