Man City 3-0 Young Boys: Player ratings as European champions qualify for knockout stages

Manchester City qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League with a 3-0 victory over Young Boys on Tuesday evening.

In an incredibly straightforward first half for the European champions, Erling Haaland's penalty and Phil Foden's delightful run and finish put Man City two goals ahead at the break, with Young Boys failing to produce even a single shot as they struggled to cope with their hosts.

Young Boys were reduced to ten men early in the second half, shortly after Haaland had hammered home a wonderful effort from outside the box. Man City sauntered to the finish line, qualifying with two games to spare in Group G.

How the game unfolded

If Man City's 6-1 weekend trouncing of Bournemouth was anything to go by, Young Boys would need divine intervention to get something from their trip to the Etihad Stadium. The evidence of the opening six minutes also suggested this was the case, Rico Lewis seeing his close-range effort cleared off the line after an incisive move.

Haaland, fresh from an injury scare last Saturday, tested Anthony Racioppi from a tight angle several minutes later, while Kyle Walker's free-kick and Foden's follow-up were both rebuffed by the Young Boys goalkeeper shortly afterwards.

However, the Swiss visitors' resistance lasted just 23 minutes, Haaland converting a penalty after Sandro Lauper felled Matheus Nunes in the box. An assured spot-kick from the Norwegian meant it was pretty much game over already.

Haaland could have doubled his tally ten minutes before the break, making weak contact with Walker's far-post cross. However, Foden put clear daylight between the sides in first-half stoppage-time, bursting past Ulisses Garcia and curling home from inside the penalty area to make it three goals in as many matches for the 23-year-old.

Man City wasted no time in extending their advantage after half-time, Haaland netting a stunner from the edge of the area. The 23-year-old picked the ball up from 20 yards, carved some shooting space on his favoured left foot and rifled into the far top corner with venom.

Things got worse for Young Boys just a minute later when Lauper received his marching orders after picking up a needless second yellow card for a foul on Nathan Ake. Jack Grealish and Foden both saw efforts saved by Racioppi as City looked to press home their numerical advantage, while Josko Gvardiol saw a powerful shot blocked from a home corner.

Pep Guardiola's side cantered to the final whistle, dropping down a few gears to preserve their energy ahead of the weekend clash with Chelsea. It was a remarkably straightforward evening's work for Man City, who have now qualified from Group G after four successive European victories.

Man City player ratings (4-2-3-1)

GK: Ederson - 7/10 - A typically wonderful passing display. Never tested by Young Boys.

RB: Kyle Walker - 7/10 - Came in for Manuel Akanji at short notice and didn't put a foot wrong. Unsurprisingly, Walker was more influential in the Young Boys half, putting in some powerful runs down the right and testing Racioppi with a good free-kick.

CB: Ruben Dias - 7/10 - When Young Boys did counter, Dias was the barrier, often forcing the Swiss side into errors in the final third in the first half. Nothing more than a spectator in the second.

CB: John Stones - 6/10 - Played a roaming free role from centre-back, popping up all over the pitch for City. Substituted at half-time, perhaps to keep him well-rested for the weekend match against Chelsea.

LB: Josko Gvardiol - 7/10 - Seldom tested defensively but looks so assured in a sky blue shirt. Effortless at times and made a few powerful bursts down the left flank.

CM: Rico Lewis - 6/10 - Not quite at his sharpest but didn't look out of place in a strong City lineup. A little hesitant in the final third.

CM: Mateo Kovacic - 8/10 - Graceful throughout, gliding through midfield with ease and producing several defence-splitting passes. Replaced Rodri emphatically, albeit he was rarely required to put his defensive head on.

RM: Phil Foden - 8/10 - A beautiful goal to give City a well-earned second before the break and kept Young Boys' defenders honest down the right side. Makes the game look incredibly simple and, to be honest, this one was.

AM: Matheus Nunes - 6/10 - Neat turn to win the penalty but still looks a little raw. A couple of misplaced passes and fluffed shots as he struggled to make a definitive impact in the game.

LM: Jack Grealish - 7/10 - Saw plenty of the ball throughout, especially in the second half. Some trademark mazy runs, just lacking a little final product.

ST: Erling Haaland - 8/10 - Took his penalty well and rifled home a beautiful long-distance effort after half-time. Made some great runs into the channel and held the ball up effectively for the home side. Substituted in order to preserve him for the Chelsea game.

Substitutes

SUB: Nathan Ake (46' for Stones) - 6/10 - Had absolutely nothing to do defensively. Probably didn't misplace a single pass.

SUB: Kalvin Phillips (61' for Walker) - 6/10

SUB: Oscar Bobb (61' for Haaland) - 6/10

SUB: Jeremy Doku (80' for Kovacic) - 7/10

Players not used: Scott Carson (GK), Stefan Ortega (GK), Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Julian Alvarez.

Manager

Pep Guardiola - 6/10 - Well, how much can we really learn about Guardiola from such a display? Not a lot, but it was still an incredibly dominant performance from Man City.

Player of the match: Phil Foden (Man City)

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