Man City came from behind to snatch a late win against Swansea, with Omar Marmoush and an inspired Rayan Cherki scoring after a game-changing triple substitution by Pep Guardiola.
Playing without star striker Erling Haaland, Pep Guardiola’s rotated side initially struggled, falling behind to a brilliant strike before Cherki masterminded the second-half resurgence.
The following is a performance review and rating for each City player from the victory at the Swansea.com Stadium:
James Trafford – Rating: 6/10
The goalkeeper conceded an early, spectacular opener that left him with little chance to intervene. For the rest of the contest, he was mostly untroubled due to City’s overwhelming possession, managing the game comfortably from his box and distributing the ball with his customary composure.
Rico Lewis – 7/10
Good shift from the young right-back, who is forever keen on a starting spot in the first team on regular basis.
Abdukodir Khushanov: 5/10
Lasted an hour on his injury return after a month on the sideline. Still a lot of catching up for the Uzbekistani to do.
Nathan Aké (Captain): 6/10
The Dutchman demonstrated his typical defensive reliability, executing his duties effectively at the back. He successfully neutralized most of Swansea’s forward incursions, making a handful of timely interventions. However, the initial defensive setup appeared slightly disjointed, contributing to the first goal.
Rayan Aït-Nouri – Rating: 4/10
Operating on the flank, the young full-back endured a forgettable first half. His performance was noted as “ragged” and lacking confidence, leading Pep Guardiola to ruthlessly withdraw him early in the second half as part of a triple substitution designed to inject urgency and quality into the side.
Divine Musaka – 5,/10
Another Cup action for the teenager, who made his second senior appearance. He was particularly strong in duels in his just over an hour in the pitch.
Nico González – Rating: 7/10
Operating in the central midfield, the Spaniard was arguably the team’s most reliable passer, maintaining control with a high volume of accurate distribution. His positioning and ball retention were key to City’s dominance, quietly dictating the tempo from deep despite the team’s early issues in the final third.
Jérémy Doku – Rating: 7/10
The Belgian winger provided the crucial equalizer just before the break, a goal that required a substantial deflection but settled the nerves in the City camp. His trademark driving runs down the flank consistently tested the opposition defense, creating spaces and carrying a constant threat, even if his final delivery lacked consistency at times.
Omar Marmoush – Rating: 8/10
The forward secured the decisive goal, netting City’s second with a powerful, clinical finish from close range after receiving a smart setup. Returning from injury, the Egyptian showed excellent predatory instinct to slot home, completing the recovery and proving himself a vital focal point in the absence of Haaland.
Rayan Cherki – Rating: 9/10 (Man of the Match)
Cherki was the undisputed inspiration behind the comeback. The attacking midfielder was central to nearly every meaningful offensive move, hitting the post before eventually assisting Marmoush’s go-ahead goal. He capped off a sensational display in injury time by scoring the third goal himself, showcasing his class and flair throughout the contest.
Oscar Bobb: 6.5/10
Not his best performance but impressed Pep Guardiola enough to last the entire duration of the game.