Manchester City vs. Stoke: Winners and Losers from Premier League
Manchester City ran out 4-0 winners over Stoke City on Saturday, a result that strengthens their grip on a top-four place.
The game started rather lethargically, with neither team playing with pace and urgency, but City's quality eventually told.
Fernando's header got them going, Sergio Aguero scored a penalty to make it two and Kelechi Iheanacho added some gloss with a superb second-half double.
City are now third in the table, one point above Arsenal.
Here are the winners and losers from the game at the Etihad Stadium.
Winner: Manuel Pellegrini
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Manuel Pellegrini's team selection raised a few eyebrows before the game kicked off.
Leaving Vincent Kompany and Fernandinho out of the squad altogether was unexpected, and neither of his first-choice full-backs started either.
However, he was justified in his decision to change things up, with City winning comfortably and strengthening their top-four position while resting key figures ahead of Tuesday's UEFA Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid.
David Silva came off before the hour mark, and Aguero joined him shortly after.
City barely got out of first gear in the first half, cruising to a 2-0 half-time lead, and despite an improvement from Stoke after the break, the ease of their afternoon continued.
City have now scored 150 Premier League goals under the Chilean's management.
Loser: Mark Hughes
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That's one win in seven Premier League games for Stoke, with 12 goals conceded in their last three.
Manager Mark Hughes must be livid. He has some excellent players at his disposal; the likes of Marco Aurnautovic are central to Stoke's new, more open style.
However, their expansive football cannot be at the detriment of their defence.
Away games against the top sides are always difficult—but Stoke made it too easy and played with little urgency. Hughes, a manager who demands plenty from his players, won't have been happy with what he saw.
Winner: Kelechi Iheanacho
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Two goals and another fine display from City's 19-year-old wonderkid. Kelechi Iheanacho continues to confirm suspicions that he is the real deal. Why hasn't he played more this season?
"Man City's Kelechi Iheanacho
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) April 23, 2016"
2 goals
5 attempts (3 on target)
39 passes (72% accuracy)
20 duels (40% won) pic.twitter.com/Ws1lOrp1NC
His first was a superb side-foot finish, after Pablo Zabaleta, making his 300th appearance for City, rolled back the years down the right. His second saw him skip past a couple of challenges before rolling the ball into an empty net.
He is class. The confidence of his finishing, the pace and the enthusiasm he brings is superb.
"9 - Kelechi Iheanacho has had a hand in nine goals (five goals, four assists) in eight competitive starts for Man City in 2015-16. Selected.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 23, 2016"
Loser: Wilfried Bony
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Iheanacho's display is bad news for Wilfried Bony.
Being left on the bench on a day when the team was given a shake-up says a lot, and the fact Iheanacho produced a man-of-the-match display compounded his misery.
He has too often look static and unsuited to this City side, and a summer exit surely beckons.
Winner: Jesus Navas
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He has his critics, but Jesus Navas produced another superb display and has surely booked his place in the starting line up for Tuesday's game with Real Madrid in the Champions League.
He was outstanding down the right, bringing pace and excellent deliveries to the side.
Pellegrini loves him, that's clear from the number of games he plays, but he often frustrates the City fans.
Over the course of the season, though, he's shown them that he can bring real quality to the attacking side of City's game, while also adding defensive solidity.
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