Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City drew a frustrating blank in the fifth round of the FA Cup as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Championship high-flyers Huddersfield Town at the John Smith stadium on Saturday.
The Premier League side had one eye on Tuesday’s Champions League last-16 showdown against French side Monaco as their manager made eight changes to the side that beat Bournemouth 2-0 at the start of this week.
But Huddersfield manager David Wagner also displayed seven alterations ahead of a crunch clash with promotions rivals Reading in midweek but the hosts still settled more convincingly than their visitors.
It leaves Guardiola facing an additional game following the first goalless draw of his tenure, having suggested at a pre-match news conference that FA Cup replays should be scrapped.
Manchester City Player Ratings
Claudio Bravo – 5/10- The Manchester City keeper made some good saves to deny Huddersfield and unlikely win, but was his usual nervy self with the ball at his feet.
Pablo Zabaleta- 6/10- On a whole was particularly good in defense although did look shaky at times. Looked threatening for Manchester City on the right side when in the Huddersfield half.
Nicolas Otamendi- 6/10- Did not like being pressed when he had the ball but did well to cover up the spaces in the Huddersfield forward line whenever they pushed forward.
John Stones- 6/10 – Was not his commanding self and is yet to live up to his price tag in a Manchester City shirt, sloppy in possession but still managed to frustrate the home side that looked determined to pull off a surprise win.
Aleksander Kolarov -5/10 – Struggled to cope with the attacking from the Huddersfield side and was caught out of position on several occasions, but managed to improve in the second half and looked a bit more dangerous while going forward. Was later subbed off for Sagna.
Fernandinho- 5/10- Started in a more advanced role than usual, and made a few good passes in the attacking half but still couldn’t dominate the game as well as he would have wanted to.
Fabian Delph – 5/10- Did a good job in the middle of the field in terms of the defensive aspects, but want particularly effective when needed in an attacking sense and was therefore replaced by Kevin De Bruyne in the second half.
Fernando- 6/10 – Just like Delph, provided cover for the back four when required and did not let the hosts gain momentum as he closed down the spaces in midfield, not allowing Huddersfield to play any through passes.
Nolito- 7/10- Looked probably the sharpest and most dangerous Manchester City player who would threaten to score. Especially when cutting in from the left side, continued doing so after the break till he was replaced by Sane.
Jesus Navas- 5/10- The Spanish winger had a chance to prove himself to his manager but did not offer much in the opportunity he was given. Despite finding himself in good positions on the right wing, his crosses were poor and barely looked like making a mark on the game.
Sergio Aguero – 6/10- The Argentine striker was not able to impose himself on the game on many occasions due to lack of service. Tried his best to make something work but was shut down by the Huddersfield defense.
Substitutes-
Bacary Sagna- 6/10- Was particularly decent after replacing Kolarov, looked good both offensively and defensively.
Kevin De Bruyne – 5/10 – The Belgian tried his best to find an opening when subbed for Delph but couldn’t really manage many due to good defending from the hosts.
Leroy Sane- 5/10- Just like De Bruyne, the German impressed a little bit when came on for Nolito and couldn’t really do much to impact the game.
Huddersfield Town Player Ratings
Joel Coleman- 6/10- The Huddersfield keeper made a many really good saves despite his inexperience, although did look a bit shaky at times like his counterpart.
Martin Craine-7/10- Probably the most impressive player on the pitch defended extremely well on the right-hand side and frustrated the City attackers to the home fans’ delight.
Mark Hudson- 6/10- Was caught out of position on the break at times, when City were attacking but overall was a classy performance from the veteran.
Tareiq Holmes-Dennis- 6/10- The young defender was also caught out on a few occasions and looked a spark when sprinting forward.
Rajiv Van La Parra- 6/10 – One of Huddersfield’s better players in midfield, but was shut out in the second half as he made way for Kachunga.
Philip Billing-7/10 – Another youngster who impressed a lot, made some really good forward runs and also tracked back to cover his defense when required.
Dean Whitehead -7/10 – The veteran midfielder produced a solid display ahead of his back four with authority of the first order. Remained calm and composed throughout the game, not allowing City to build any tempo.
Stankovic – 6/10- The young centre-back put in a good show, unknowingly he would have had less to deal with than what he would have expected. Nevertheless, was another player that helped frustrate the visitors as the pressure piled on.
Joe Lolley – 6/10- Was full of energy and sent in a few whipping and dangerous crosses in the first half but tired out soon and was replaced before the hour mark.
Collin Quaner-6/10- The forward was up against a solid back four and did extremely well to hold up play for his side even though it was a tough ask to lead the line.
Substitutes
Nakhi Wells-6/10 – Made a nuisance of himself in front of the City goal when he was brought on and tucked in well with the attacking line of the home side.
Elias Kachunga- 6/10- Made an immediate impact coming off the bench but was also guilty of being too selfish when he could have found his team-mates who were in better positions.
Isaih Brown- 6/10 – Another player who put in a good effort to cause some problems for the City back-line but could not help muster a goal.