
Man City player ratings vs Wydad AC: Phil Foden is back! Outshines debutant Rayan Cherki & Jeremy Doku dazzles
Published: Jun 19, 2025

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The midfielder scored his first goal for five months as the Cityzens made a trouble-free start to the Club World Cup with a 2-0 win in Philadelphia
Phil Foden was back in business as Manchester City made a comfortable-if-unspectacular start to their Club World Cup campaign. The midfielder scored and assisted in a 2-0 win over Wydad Casablanca in Philadelphia on Wednesday.
Foden, who had a dismal 2024-25 season and cited mental struggles as one of the factors in his decline, bagged the fastest goal of the tournament so far when he gave City the lead in the second minute, pouncing on a botched punch away from Wydad's keeper Mehdi Benabid.
The England international should have struck again for City soon after, but he made amends by putting in a deadly delivery from a corner which Jeremy Doku volleyed in just before half-time to double Pep Guardiola's side's advantage.
City took their foot off the gas in the second period and the result was somewhat marred by Rico Lewis getting a straight red card in added time.
City took their foot off the gas in the second period and the result was somewhat marred by Rico Lewis getting a straight red card in added time.
GOAL rates Man City's players from Lincoln Financial Field...
Goalkeeper & Defence
Goalkeeper & Defence
Ederson (7/10):
Reacted quickly to smother Cassius Mailula's shot and bail Vitor Reis out. Also got back on his line quickly to save a cheeky attempt from the halfway line by Mohamed Moufid.
Rico Lewis (4/10):
Had one defensive lapse when Moufid got ahead of him and created a decent chance for Wydad. Spent a lot of time patrolling midfield, helping City run the show. Loses marks for getting sent off although he was a tad unlucky.
Vitor Reis (5/10):
A potential liability. Showed a glaring lack of awareness when he misjudged a bouncing ball and was mugged by Thembinkosi Lorch, leading to a clear chance for Wydad. He was very lucky that the forward lost his footing just before pulling the ball back to Mailula. Sent a header from a corner over the bar.
Nathan Ake (7/10):
Looked in great physical shape after missing much of last season. Started the move for the first goal, was inches away from heading home himself and defended well throughout.
Nico O'Reilly (6/10):
Drifted into midfield to give City numerical superiority although didn't get into the final third as he did so often last season.
Midfield
Midfield
Phil Foden (7/10):
Back towards where he wants to be. Showed good reactions to score his first goal since January and his arching corner set up Doku's goal. Loses a mark for not grabbing a second from a simple opportunity, allowing Benabid to save.
Tijjani Reijnders (6/10):
Looked comfortable orchestrating City's play in his debut game although he did not get forward as much as he might have liked due to City's ultra-attacking formation. Got more involved in the attacking moves when Rodri came on.
Rayan Cherki (5/10):
An unremarkable debut on the whole and a bit disappointing after talking such a good game pre-match. Showed some trickery and the workings of an understanding with Savinho, and created a good chance for Foden which went on to waste. A loose pass led to Moufid trying his luck from long range. Taken off on the hour mark.
Attack
Attack
Savinho (6/10):
A performance we saw many times last season. Created lots of space with his quick footwork and his cross led to the opening goal, albeit with help from Benabid. Faded in the second half but was only taken off in added time.
Omar Marmoush (6/10):
Rifled just wide of the far post in the first half. Was the victim of a brutal foul by Mailula in a painful area. Made way for Gundogan in the 69th minute.
Jeremy Doku (8/10):
City's most exciting player overall. Had a hand in the opening goal after combining with Ake and pulled off a clever finish for the second strike. Could and should have struck the third in the second period, shooting too close to Benabid. Taken off on the hour which felt harsh.
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