CHELTENHAM TOWN PLAYER RATINGS: Joshua Griffiths 8 – Made several excellent stops to deny the travelling side’s all-star forwards. Can hardly be blamed for any of the goals he eventually conceded. EPA
CHELTENHAM TOWN PLAYER RATINGS: Joshua Griffiths 8 – Made several excellent stops to deny the travelling side’s all-star forwards. Can hardly be blamed for any of the goals he eventually conceded. EPA
Charlie Raglan 6 – Tracked runners superbly well all evening. While he did make a few errors towards the end, his work rate shouldn’t be overlooked. AFP
Charlie Raglan 6 – Tracked runners superbly well all evening. While he did make a few errors towards the end, his work rate shouldn’t be overlooked. AFP
Ben Tozer 9 – A stunning performance by the towering defender, who quite simply had the game of his life. It was his throw-in that led to one of the most famous goals in Cheltenham’s recent history. Getty Images
Ben Tozer 9 – A stunning performance by the towering defender, who quite simply had the game of his life. It was his throw-in that led to one of the most famous goals in Cheltenham’s recent history. Getty Images
William Boyle 7 – Had a hand in Alfie May’s opener. Also responsible for a dramatic goal-line clearance to deny Mendy. Reuters
William Boyle 7 – Had a hand in Alfie May’s opener. Also responsible for a dramatic goal-line clearance to deny Mendy. Reuters
Matty Blair 7 – Put a shift in to try and deny Phil Foden space. Unfortunately, his opposite number was just a bit too good. PA
Matty Blair 7 – Put a shift in to try and deny Phil Foden space. Unfortunately, his opposite number was just a bit too good. PA
Finn Azaz 8 – His energy and creativity in the middle caused City all kinds of problems in the first half. The midfielder didn’t look at all out of place up against Pep’s men. Getty Images
Finn Azaz 8 – His energy and creativity in the middle caused City all kinds of problems in the first half. The midfielder didn’t look at all out of place up against Pep’s men. Getty Images
Conor Thomas 6 – Played as the more defensive-minded central midfielder. Appeared to fade badly in the second half after a promising start. Reuters
Conor Thomas 6 – Played as the more defensive-minded central midfielder. Appeared to fade badly in the second half after a promising start. Reuters
Chris Clements 7 – Neat and tidy in possession, linking-up well with Cheltenham’s two forwards. Replaced late on. AFP
Chris Clements 7 – Neat and tidy in possession, linking-up well with Cheltenham’s two forwards. Replaced late on. AFP
Lewis Freestone 6 – Didn’t have too much luck up against the Man City full backs, as most of the home side’s best crosses came from corners. AFP
Lewis Freestone 6 – Didn’t have too much luck up against the Man City full backs, as most of the home side’s best crosses came from corners. AFP
Alfie May 8 – Scorer of the goal that took Cheltenham to within 10 minutes of a seismic FA Cup shock. The striker took his chance clinically and caught the eye elsewhere with intelligent movement. Reuters
Alfie May 8 – Scorer of the goal that took Cheltenham to within 10 minutes of a seismic FA Cup shock. The striker took his chance clinically and caught the eye elsewhere with intelligent movement. Reuters
George Lloyd 7 – Involved in the set-piece that led to May’s second half goal. Generally impressed, working hard to close down the City defenders when out of possession. Reuters
George Lloyd 7 – Involved in the set-piece that led to May’s second half goal. Generally impressed, working hard to close down the City defenders when out of possession. Reuters
SUBS: Sean Long 5 – Filled in at Right back for the final 20 minutes, where he was unfortunately the man who played Phil Foden onside for his goal (no match photo available). Reuters
SUBS: Sean Long 5 – Filled in at Right back for the final 20 minutes, where he was unfortunately the man who played Phil Foden onside for his goal (no match photo available). Reuters
Alex Addai N/A – Little of note to report (no match photo available). Getty Images
Alex Addai N/A – Little of note to report (no match photo available). Getty Images
Andy Williams N/A – Replaced Finn Azaz with 10 minutes to go (no match photo available). AFP
Andy Williams N/A – Replaced Finn Azaz with 10 minutes to go (no match photo available). AFP
MANCHESTER CITY PLAYER RATINGS: Zack Steffen 6 – Made a couple of handy saves to deny Cheltenham on the counter. His second half was much shakier, however. Reuters
MANCHESTER CITY PLAYER RATINGS: Zack Steffen 6 – Made a couple of handy saves to deny Cheltenham on the counter. His second half was much shakier, however. Reuters
Taylor Harwood-Bellis 6 – Decent in spells but didn’t really manage to impact the game in an attacking capacity. The youngster is certainly more suited to playing at centre-back (no match photo available). AFP
Taylor Harwood-Bellis 6 – Decent in spells but didn’t really manage to impact the game in an attacking capacity. The youngster is certainly more suited to playing at centre-back (no match photo available). AFP
Aymeric Laporte 7 – Booked in the second half, but otherwise did well to keep his composure and tactical discipline. AFP
Aymeric Laporte 7 – Booked in the second half, but otherwise did well to keep his composure and tactical discipline. AFP
Eric Garcia 5 – Never looked comfortable on the ball. Bullied at times on set pieces. AFP
Eric Garcia 5 – Never looked comfortable on the ball. Bullied at times on set pieces. AFP
Benjamin Mendy 7 – Spent most of the game in the opposition’s half, adding good width to City’s play. Denied a goal thanks to a last-ditch header in the early moments of the match. PA
Benjamin Mendy 7 – Spent most of the game in the opposition’s half, adding good width to City’s play. Denied a goal thanks to a last-ditch header in the early moments of the match. PA
Fernandinho 7 – Controlled the midfield expertly. Broke down counterattacks exceptionally well and calmly assisted Gabriel Jesus’s late winner. EPA
Fernandinho 7 – Controlled the midfield expertly. Broke down counterattacks exceptionally well and calmly assisted Gabriel Jesus’s late winner. EPA
Riyad Mahrez 7 – Started the game very brightly, offering a real threat down the right-hand side. One of the away side’s best performers. AFP
Riyad Mahrez 7 – Started the game very brightly, offering a real threat down the right-hand side. One of the away side’s best performers. AFP
Tommy Doyle 6 – In testing conditions, the academy graduate failed to make his mark. PA
Tommy Doyle 6 – In testing conditions, the academy graduate failed to make his mark. PA
Ferran Torres 6 – Scorer of City’s third goal. An underwhelming display but the goal will do his confidence the world of good. AP
Ferran Torres 6 – Scorer of City’s third goal. An underwhelming display but the goal will do his confidence the world of good. AP
Phil Foden 8 – Inventive as always in attack, the scorer of the equalising goal was City’s best player – by some distance. AP
Phil Foden 8 – Inventive as always in attack, the scorer of the equalising goal was City’s best player – by some distance. AP
Gabriel Jesus 7 – Finally got on the scoresheet after once again missing a handful of guilt-edged chances. Much-needed. AFP
Gabriel Jesus 7 – Finally got on the scoresheet after once again missing a handful of guilt-edged chances. Much-needed. AFP
SUBS: Ruben Dias 6 – Steadied the ship at the back. Getty Images
SUBS: Ruben Dias 6 – Steadied the ship at the back. Getty Images
Ilkay Gundogan 7 – Helped City re-establish control of the game in the closing stages. Played a lovely assist for City’s third. AFP
Ilkay Gundogan 7 – Helped City re-establish control of the game in the closing stages. Played a lovely assist for City’s third. AFP
Joao Cancelo 7 – Set up Foden’s late equaliser with a beautifully weighted cross. EPA
Joao Cancelo 7 – Set up Foden’s late equaliser with a beautifully weighted cross. EPA

Football

Ben Tozer 9, Alfie May 8; Phil Foden 8, Riyad Mahrez 7: Cheltenham Town v Manchester City player ratings

Premier League side come from behind late to secure 3-1 win and reach FA Cup fifth round

Tom Fenton

January 24, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Manchester City survived an FA Cup scare on Saturday after late goals from Phil Foden, Gabriel Jesus and Ferran Torres saw the Premier League giants past fourth-tier Cheltenham Town and into the fifth round.

Read More

Manchester City find late goals to beat underdogs Cheltenham Town

Alfie May's 59th-minute goal put Cheltenham agonisingly close to the biggest win in their history on a night of drama at a sadly empty Jonny-Rocks Stadium.

With less than 10 minutes left on the clock Foden volleyed in an equaliser and Jesus struck three minutes later to end the hopes of a side 72 places lower than City in the standings.

Torres gave the scoreline a comfortable look with the final kick of the game but it was anything but.

It was City's 10th successive win in all competitions but Cheltenham depart the competition full of pride after pushing City's slickers to the limit.

City's reward is an away tie against Swansea City.

Reflecting on the match, Tom Fenton has provided his player ratings in the photo gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
While you're here
The view from The National
RESULTS

4pm: Al Bastakiya Listed US$250,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Yulong Warrior, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer)

4.35pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Jordan Sport, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass

5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Conditions $200,000 (Turf) 1,200m
Winner: Jungle Cat, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Kimbear, Patrick Dobbs, Doug Watson

6.20pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 $300,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Blair House, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby

6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 $400,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: North America, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar

7.30pm: Dubai City of Gold Group 2 $250,000 (T) 2,410m
Winner: Hawkbill, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.

FootballSport