MANCHESTER CITY 3

(Robinho, 14, 47, 72)

STOKE CITY 0

GOAL ATTEMPTS

Man C 17 (10 on target)

Stoke 11 (7 on target)

THE REFEREE

Steve Tanner (Somerset) 6

CARD WATCH

YELLOW – Man City: Kompany (foul, 89). Stoke: none. RED – none.

THE CROWD

Attendance 44,624

MATCH RATING

Entertainment 7

SORENSEN: Several fine saves to prevent further damage after returning impressively from the previous week's facial wounds 8

GRIFFIN: Kept Robinho company for much of the afternoon and credit for refusing to let error of judgment on the Brazilian's second to distract from otherwise sound display 7

HIGGINBOTHAM: Excellent defensive work on the deck and in the air from start to finish, while also producing a couple of tasty deliveries at the other end 8

AB FAYE: Stood firm for the most part against severe provocation at times when Manchester moved the ball at speed in tight areas, particularly second half 7

SHAWCROSS: Will be pleased with first start since first game after dovetailing well into the back four and keeping head under severe pressure at times 8

SOARES: Worked hard as he built steadily rather than spectacularly on his debut 7

OLOFINJANA: Never truly got going against Manchester's more fluid movement, but never gave up the ghost and produced one delightful through-ball in the first half 7

DIAO: Some tidy footwork and a rasping shot in the second half before pace of the game left him understandably wilting a little 6

DELAP: Excellent defensive work in various situations and intelligent use of the ball going forward 7

FULLER: Not his best day for finishing, perhaps, but always causing a stir on the ball and some delightful moments in possession 7

SIDIBE: Made physical presence felt whenever possible and linked well with Fuller at times 7

SUBSTITUTES

KITSON (for Sidibe, 66): One flashing header might so easily have kicked that monkey off his back 6

CRESSWELL (for Soares, 70): No chance to impress in danger areas, but fresh legs a help on the defensive 6

WHELAN (for Diao, 77): Couple of nice touches after being thrown on against old club when the game was up 6

Not used: Simonsen, Cort, Am Faye, Wilkinson.

MAN CITY: 1 Hart, 2 Richards, 15 Garrido, 22 Dunne, 26 Ben Haim, 33 Kompany, 7 Ireland, 11 Elano, 8 Wright-Phillips, 10 Robinho, 24 Evans. Subs: 28 Sturridge (for Evans,43), 4 Onuoha (for Garrido, 70), 19 Fernandes (for Dunne, 77). Not used: 16 Schmeichel, 20 Caicedo, 21 Hamann, 36 Berti.