Man City player.
Man City player The young homegrown forward showed there is no need to sign a Riyad Mahrez replacement by pulling his side back into the game
Manchester City can keep every penny of the Riyad Mahrez’s transfer fee – in Cole Palmer they have their very own oven-ready successor to the Algerian. City’s homegrown forward pulled Pep Guardiola’s side back from the abyss and set them on their path to lifting the UEFA Super Cup at Sevilla’s expense on Wednesday night in Athens. Man City player.
Sevilla took the treble winners by surprise, snatching the lead when Youssef En-Nesyri rose above Manuel Akanji to head home a cross from Marcos Acuna in the first half. The Europa League winners love the big occasion and dominated much of the second half. Had it not been for Ederson they would have doubled their lead. Man City player.
However, Palmer glanced home a cross from Rodri to pull City level with just under 30 minutes to play and Guardiola’s side looked more likely to win the game in the 90 minutes. With no winner after full-time, a penalty shootout was needed and it was a nerve-shredding affair as both sides scored their first four spot-kicks. Man City player.
But after Kyle Walker converted City’s fifth, Nemanja Gudelj smashed his kick against the crossbar, handing the Citizens their fourth trophy of 2023 and giving Guardiola a record-equalling fourth Super Cup.
GOAL rates Man City’s players from Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium…
Goalkeeper & Defence.
Ederson (8/10):
His shot-stopping abilities came to the fore as he made three huge saves, making himself big to thwart En-Nesyri twice in the second half. Man City player.
Kyle Walker (6/10):
Less involved going forward than in recent matches. Got a vital touch to prevent ball reaching Lucas Ocampos late on. Was fortunate to see his penalty sneak under Bono’s arm and in.
Manuel Akanji (4/10):
Had poor positioning and lost touch with En-Nesyri for the goal.
Nathan Ake (5/10):
Could have communicated better with Akanji. Struggled to keep En-Nesyri quiet. Almost snatched the winner in the last minute.
Josko Gvardiol (5/10):
A tough first start for City. Ocampos got the better of him in the first half. Got more involved on the attack in the second half.
Midfield.
Phil Foden (7/10):
Took up the position Kevin De Bruyne would normally take and was comfortably shackled by Sevilla, creating few moments of real danger.
Rodri (6/10):
Rather like in Istanbul, he had a shaky performance overall but helped find the breakthrough with an inviting cross for Palmer.
Mateo Kovacic (8/10):
One of City’s best performers on the night. Courageous with the ball and coped well when under pressure. Also took an excellent penalty.
Attack
Cole Palmer (9/10):
Changed the game. Showed excellent aerial movement to glance in the equaliser and was not far away from finding the winner. Taken off before full-time so could not take a penalty. Man City player.
Erling Haaland (5/10):
Had a very quiet game, shackled by Loic Bade and Nemanja Gudelj. Has now gone four European matches without scoring. Converted his penalty in the shootout, however.
Jack Grealish (6/10):
Struggled to get much freedom on the left flank for much of the game but improved and helped City finish the game on top. Confidently slotted his penalty in the shootout.
Subs & Manager.
Julian Alvarez (N/A):
Came on for final five minutes. Dispatched his penalty into the top corner.
Pep Guardiola (7/10):
Named his strongest possible team, showing how serious he takes winning trophies, even with a tough game against Newcastle on Saturday. Has now won four out of four UEFA Super Cups.