Champions League

Champions League Top Five, Matchday Three: Sterling and Mpabbe in genius mode

Elsewhere Kane and Son give Red Star both barrels, plus Di Maria is undroppable

8:00am on Thursday 24th October 2019
By
Team FC
Raheem Sterling
W (LR) - Man City - 24 yrs
MAN OF THE MATCH
90'
10
Oct 22, 2019

Sterling is now quite clearly one of the best players in the world, and he helped City make what could have been a difficult evening ludicrously easily with a near-flawless display. He struck a devastating second-half hat-trick, the second goal in particular showcasing all of his pace, dribbling and composure. As well as winning the penalty that Sergio Aguero converted, he also set up the Argentine's other goal with a well-timed cross into the area. Sterling can't be far off being the most effective player in the world at the moment.

Kylian Mbappé
S (C), AM (R) - PSG - 20 yrs
MAN OF THE MATCH
38'
10
Oct 22, 2019

A hat-trick and an assist within just 38 minutes on the pitch? This is the type of devastation a full-flight Kylian Mbappe can offer. In his mere cameo he displayed a level of ruthlessness in front of goal miles beyond his 20 years, finishing from close range firstly, rounding the keeper for his second and then running onto Angel Di Maria's glorious through pass for the final effort. And he only misplaced one pass in that time on the pitch. What an impact!

Harry Kane
S (C) - Tottenham - 26 yrs
MAN OF THE MATCH
90'
9.8
Oct 22, 2019

Tottenham and Kane haven't been in the best of form recently but the level of dominance shown by both in their easy win over Red Star Belgrade at the Tottenham Stadium. Kane flashed home a header in the first half and neatly completely the rout by sliding his finish through the legs of the defender. Kane's all round forward play was superb and was unfortunate not to complete his hat-trick, as well as not pick an assist for the chances he laid on for team-mates.

Son Heungmin
F (C), AM (L) - Tottenham - 27 yrs
68'
9.6
Oct 22, 2019

Son wasn't far behind his Spurs team-mate Kane in the superb win over Red Star, producing an excellent display of clinical finishing to give the London side a crucial win. Son's two goals aside, he was a constant threat to the opposition and his incisive play opened up chances on a regular basis. With Son and Kane in this form, Tottenham can be hopeful their season could turn.

Ángel di María
AM (LC) - PSG - 31 yrs
90'
9.5
Oct 22, 2019

Di Maria has been the main beneficiary of PSG's injury problems this season; with Neymar and Edinson Cavani missing extended spells, the Argentina has played regularly - and excelled - in their place. Here his three assists solidified his role as PSG's key creator, but the third of those had to be seen to be believed, an improbable through pass that dissected two defenders and slowed perfectly into the path of Mbappe to slot home. Di Maria is currently positioning himself as un-droppable.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Paulo Dybala (9.5) turned the game on its head for Juventus with two late goals, the first a superb curling effort, to defeat a stubborn Lokomotiv Moscow side. Dries Mertens (9.2) was in superb form, scoring twice to allow Napoli to overcome RB Salzburg.

ROUND TO FORGET

Everything that PSG hit at Simon Mignolet (3.8) went in as his Club Brugge side imploded, while Anthony Lopes' (4.7) horror error cost Lyon a point in Benfica.

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