Manchester City ended any hopes of Queens Park Rangers surviving the drop with a clinical display that saw them brush aside the London club 6-0 at the Etihad.
Manchester City
Joe Hart – 6: The England number one was not troubled at all, as the goals were flowing in the opposite goal.
Pablo Zabaleta – 7.5: The Argentine was efficient down the right hand side. He set Sergio Aguero off on his run to score City’s opener.
Martin Demichelis – 7: Contrary to his performances in recent weeks, Demichelis looked steady at the back, although the City defence was not worked that much.
Eliaquim Mangala – 7: Kept Bobby Zamora and the ever-dangerous Charlie Austin relatively quiet. Put in a solid defensive performance alongside Demichelis.
Alexandar Kolarov – 8: Kolarov proved yet again why he should have been starting ahead of Gael Clichy this season. The Serbian, who is usually known for his powerful shots, curled in a beautiful free kick from the edge of the area to score City’s second of the day.
Fernando – 7.5: Dominated the centre of midfield throughout the game and made sure his defence was well protected.
Fernandinho – 7: Like Fernando, he did his job thoroughly. Was the link between defence and attack and was substituted in the 74th minute.
Frank Lampard – 7: The English veteran looked more than comfortable on the ball and was part of the trio that controlled the midfield. Substituted moments after the 60 minute mark.
James Milner – 8: Milner was his usual best and was awarded with an easy tap-in, in the second half. Despite the score line, put in a tireless shift. Was replaced by Jesus Navas late on.
David Silva – 9: The Spaniard showed why he is recognised as one of the Premier League’s best attacking midfielders. Created two and scored one of City’s six. His link up play with Aguero this season is quite spectacular.
Aguero – 9.5: One of the Argentine’s best performances of the season, capped with a well-deserved hat-trick. Aguero showed pace, strength and finesse in a nearly flawless performance. Beside his hat-trick, he also unselfishly set up Milner for the easiest of tap-ins.
Substitutes
Wilfried Bony – 6.5: Came on for the last half an hour or so. Looked lively and eager to score. Nearly did so when his shot cannoned off the inside of the post.
Yaya Toure – 6: The Ivorian powerhouse was given a much needed rest and started on the bench. Came on for the last quarter of an hour. Should have scored, but for his miscued shot, that went off target.
Jesus Navas – N/A: Was sent on in the final 10 minutes.
Queens Park Rangers
Robert Green – 6.5: The England goalkeeper could do nothing to prevent his side from being thrashed 6-0. Was not to blame for any of the goals.
Steven Caulker – 3.5: The former Spurs and Swansea City player endured a torrid afternoon, having to deal with Aguero and Silva.
Richard Dunne – 4: The ex-City man did not have the best of returns to his former club. His lack of pace was clear evidence of an ageing defender.
Clint Hill – 4: Another ageing centre-back, Hill struggled to keep up with the pace of Aguero, Milner and Silva.
Matt Phillips – 3.5: Was to blame for City’s opener, as it seemed he could have done more. Had to track back a lot throughout the match, but did not do a very good job of that.
Joey Barton– 4: Another ex-City man who did not have the best of games. Was completely overshadowed by the City midfielders.
Karl Henry – 2.5: Not the best of days for Henry. Never looked like getting into the game and struggled against the City’s midfield trio.
Leroy Fer – 3.5: Another QPR midfielder who struggled. Never looked focused and was taken off towards the end of the game.
Yun-Suk Young – 3: The South Korean was heavily responsible for Aguero’s second, as he failed to intercept Silva’s pass to the striker. Managed to put in a few decent crosses, but a poor overall performance.
Bobby Zamora – 4: Did not show the strength he possesses and was no threat to the City goal. Was taken off shortly after the start of the second half.
Charlie Austin – 4: Austin is capable of much more than what he showcased against City. Kept quiet by a determined City defence.
Substitutes
Junior Hoilett – 3: Came on for Zamora a few minutes into the second half but failed to make any meaningful impact on the game.
Niko Kranjcar – 5: Put together a few decent passes, but was sent on too late into the game.
Shaun Wright-Phillips – N/A: Wright-Phillips, another former City player, came on for the final five minutes and received a standing ovation from the Sky Blues fans.
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