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February 22, 2012 5:00 PM GMT
Etihad Stadium — Manchester
Referee: W. Stark
Attendance: 39538
Europa League Player Ratings: Manchester City 4-0 Porto (6-1 Agg)
Roberto Mancini's side book their place in the last 16 with a convincing victory thanks to goals from Aguero, Dzeko, Silva and Pizarro
By Greg Stobart at Etihad Stadium
Not troubled too often but had to stay alert to the threat posed by Porto's lively forward line. Good save in the first-half as he stayed big to deny Varela.
Reigned in his attacking instincts with a mature defensive display as he barely crossed the halfway line. Fooled a couple of times by Porto attackers but used his pace and strength to recover.
A typically commanding display from the City captain. Denied Porto any room to work opportunities in central areas and always on hand to clear with his head.
Had the anticipation, sharpness and power to deal with Porto attack, highlighted when he shrugged Hulk off the ball in the first-half.
The Frenchman produced a solid performance and stuck to his task against Hulk. Like Richards, played a very restricted role and hardly attacked at all.
Sat in central midfield and looked to block off Porto's route to the City goal as the hosts protected their lead. Decent but unremarkable display that included some clumsy fouls. Replaced by Milner in the 57th minute and appeared to be injured as he walked straight down the tunnel.
Worked hard and stayed disciplined on the left of midfield. Needed more support when he looked to play incisive passes in the final third. Replaced by Dzeko in the 69th minute.
The Spaniard was quiet in the first-half despite playing two sumptuous passes to Aguero, but he stepped up a level after the break with his superb close control. Deserved his goal from close range six minutes from time.
Picked as a midfield destroyer and performed his task well, taking up good positions and winning the ball. It was the Dutchman's interception in the first minute that started the move for Aguero's goal.
Again highlighted his importance to City with a powerful display, injecting energy into City attacks while also defending with purpose. Picked his pass perfectly to set up Aguero for the opener after 19 seconds.
In the end, it was the Argentine's two goals in the tie that put City in the last 16. Made no mistake with a clever run and expert finish to score after just 19 seconds, the second-fastest goal in the history of the competition. His movement was a constant danger for the Porto defence and he should have scored a second when his chipped shot hit the crossbar. Brilliant work to set up Dzeko for the second goal.
A superb cameo from the Chilean after replacing Aguero 10 minutes from time. Set up Silva's goal before bursting into the box to score City's fourth.
Replaced Barry in the 57th minute and kept City solid on the right side of midfield.
The Bosnian came on for Nasri in in 69th minute and scored from close range 14 minutes from time to put the result beyond doubt.
The Porto goalkeeper had no chance with any of the City goals and was sharp when called upon, flying off his line to deny Yaya Toure in the first-half.
Composed display from the right-back. Tidy on the ball but lack of pace was exposed on a couple of occasions when Aguero ran the channels.
Looked slow and clumsy when faced up one-on-one by Aguero and was sent-off in the 77th minute for a second yellow card.
The Brazilian got forward at every opportunity and was solid defensively until a horror pass that gave City possession ahead of their third goal.
The Argentine must take a large portion of the blame for Aguero's opener after giving the ball away and then failing to get back in position. Never looked comfortable defending against his compatriot and missed a great chance to make amends at the other end when he fired over the bar on the volley. Replaced by Cristian Rodriguez in the 63rd minute.
Technically impressive with his vision and execution of passing, but City were able to keep him quiet because of his lack of mobility. Low shot early in the second-half went just wide of the post.
Impressive in central midfield as he dictated the play for much of the game with his clever passing and composure in tight situations. Perhaps lacked the ability to find a killer pass against City's defensive-minded side and clipped the roof of the net with one free-kick from 25 yards.
Offered good balance on the left side but didn't have the pace to beat Richards on the outside, meaning he was forced inside into a crowd of players. Put the ball in the net in the second-half but it was rightly ruled out for offside.
Sat at the base of the visitors' midfield and made some timely interceptions while using the ball well. Struggled to track back when Yaya Toure burst from the City midfield.
The Brazilian winger demanded the ball and looked like he could be the man to make something happen for Porto. Impressive trickery and a sweet left foot caused the City defence problems but he never seemed to know what he planned to do when receiving the ball.
Kept working hard across the frontline but couldn't find space to cause real problems for the well organised City backline. Replaced by Sapunaru in the 63rd minute.
Came on for Varela in the 63rd minute to play at right-back but was poor defensively, especially against Silva.
Replaced Otamendi in the 63rd minute but had little impact on the right side of Porto's attack.
Came on for James Rodriguez nine minutes from time.
| Tournament | |
| Position | |
| Ranking |
| Rank/Player | Position | Team | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Andy Johnson | Striker | Fulham | 3.60 |
| 2. Diego Ribas | Midfielder | Atlético de Madrid | 3.57 |
| 3. David Murphy | Defender | Birmingham City | 3.50 |
| 4. Adrián | Striker | Atlético de Madrid | 3.50 |
| 5. Clint Dempsey | Midfielder | Fulham | 3.50 |
| 6. Nathan Redmond | Midfielder | Birmingham City | 3.50 |
| 7. Diego Godín Leal | Defender | Atlético de Madrid | 3.44 |
| 8. Chris Burke | Midfielder | Birmingham City | 3.42 |
| 9. Radamel Falcao | Striker | Atlético de Madrid | 3.40 |
| 10. Diego Capel | Midfielder | Sporting Clube de Portugal(Sporting Lisbon) | 3.38 |
| 11. Arda Turan | Midfielder | Atlético de Madrid | 3.38 |
| 12. Manuel Fernandes | Midfielder | Beşiktaş | 3.38 |
| 13. Fernando Llorente Torres | Striker | Athletic de Bilbao | 3.36 |
| 14. Benoit Assou-Ekotto | Defender | Tottenham | 3.33 |
| 15. Douglas | Defender | FC Twente | 3.33 |
| 16. Kyriakos Papadopoulos | Defender | FC Schalke 04 | 3.33 |
| 17. Roberto Rosales | Defender | FC Twente | 3.33 |
| 18. Yaya Touré | Midfielder | Manchester City | 3.33 |
| 19. Jermain Defoe | Striker | Tottenham | 3.33 |
| 20. Samir Handanoviç | Goalkeeper | Udinese | 3.33 |
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
Striker Schalke |
14 | 3 |
|
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Radamel Falcao
Striker Atlético Madrid |
12 | 1 |
|
|
Adrián
Striker Atlético Madrid |
10 | 0 |
|
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Fernando Llorente Torres
Striker Bilbao |
7 | 2 |
|
|
Jonatan Ezequiel Cristaldo
Striker Metalist Kharki |
7 | 0 |

