Hart - Distribution suspect at times. Although not put under the levels of pressure expected, alert enough to make a smart save to thwart Jones. 6.5

Richards - Full of energy in attack but remained strong in defence throughout. Arguably getting back to his best form. 7

Kompany - Such a presence defensively but his ability on the ball allows is the very essence in building from the back. 7.5

Lescott - One slip that allowed Jones his opportunity but otherwise strong. Always made the correct decisions in possession. 6.5

Kolarov - Poor start to the game with several mis-placed passes. Provided an attacking threat at times though and probably 50/50 in his battle with Pennant. 5.5

de Jong - His strengths in being able to break up play were again evident but so often City's attacks began with him. Barely put a foot wrong. 7.5

Barry - Retained and recycled possession as well as anybody. Withdrawn for Johnson as part of a tactical switch. 6.5

Toure - Tevez's inclusion meant he wasn't required as much as an attacking force but threatened throughout when breaking forward and once again got the decisive goal. 7

Silva - Could have won the game himself before Toure scored and missed two superb opportunities. Creative throughout and had a hand in the goal. 7

Balotelli - A surprise inclusion perhaps but deserving of the man of the match award. Dilligent in defence, he linked well with tam mates and his back heel started the move for the goal. Unlucky not to score in the first half with a curling effort. 8

Tevez - Not fully fit by any means but warranted inclusion. His ability to create time and space was crucial. 7

Subs: 

Johnson - Brought on to add more attacking threat and ran well at the Stoke back line. One great move that left Wilson for dead. 6.5

Zabaleta - Unlucky to miss out on the start but brought on late to shore up the defence further. n/a

Vieira - Introduced for the final minutes of the game. n/a

Hart - Two superb saves, the first from Berbatov could well have been a match-saving one. Excellent presence and command of the area. 8

Zabaleta - Beaten on a couple of occasions early but was more assured as the game progressed, ultimately winning his battles. 7

Kompany - Marshalled Berbatov extremely well for the most part. An assured performance and raised the legitimate question of whether he, not Tevez, should be captain of the side. 8

Lescott - Missed a couple of good opportunities to get on the scoresheet but was solid alongside Kompany in what is fast becoming a developing partnership. 7.5

Kolarov - Huge question marks over his recent performances heading into the game but held his own and was constantly involved going forward. 7

de Jong - Showed what was missed at Anfield. Of course he is such an integral part of the defence, but often overlooked is the part he plays in an attacking sense which was evident in abundance. 8

Barry - Solid yet unspectacular, but his ability to keep the ball and re-cycle possession are why Mancini favours him. 7

Silva - Not quite the game we expected. Worked hard and tried to create but the final pass or touch often eluded him. 6.5

Yaya Toure - Surely the most dominant performance of the season. Effectively played two roles and caused United's back line problems all afternoon. The goal was well taken too. 9

Johnson - With Yaya Toure the ‘go to' option, the out ball to Johnson was not often utilised and he was on the periphery for much of the game. 6

Balotelli - Disciplined and patient, he chose the right options more often than not. Played close to Yaya Toure in a formation and approach that helped win the game. 7.5

Subs:

Vieira - Brought on late to shore up the defensive system. Little impact either way. 6

Wright-Phillips - Often a tormentor of Evra and United, he provided a couple of brief cameos late on when needed. 6.5

Hart - Little chance with either goal. Made the routine saves comfortably and was positive in terms of command of the area and distribution. 6.5

Richards - Continued his recent bright form. Caught a couple of times by Giggs but won the majority of the tackles and contributed well offensively. 7.5

Kompany - Another huge game. Such a dominant and physical presence in the back that this can unfairly overshadow how good a footballer he is. 8

Lescott - A surprise inclusion ahead of Kolo Toure but looked comfortable in the main. 6.5

Zabaleta - United attacked well wide and Zabaleta found himself exposed on occasion. Not tight enough to Nani for the opening goal. 5.5

Barry - Looked livelier than he has done for some time both with and without possession. Didn't concede any ground in midfield. 7

Milner - Entrusted with a central role and tidy enough but never quite got hold of the game. 6

Yaya Toure - Surely time for him to get more credit? Such a presence in midfield and bridged the midfield and attack very well. 7.5

Kolarov - A disappointment. Much was expected after his performance against West Brom but lacked creativity and his passing was off. Looked like a player out of position. 5

Silva - Edged Kompany for City's best player. Energy, technique and creativity in abundance. Will rue that early miss though. 8.5

Tevez - Not his best day. Ran hard but looked to be trying too hard to prove a point but faced a good pairing in Smalling and Vidic. 6.5

Subs:

Wright-Phillips - A good decision by Mancini. Has had success in the past in derbies and some glimpses of good form at times. 7

Dzeko - Was involved well in the play and played his part in the goal. Still finding his feet though. 6.5

Hart - Shaky at times and some poor decision making. 5.5

Zabaleta - Unlucky not to get on the scoresheet but growing in confidence when getting forward. 7

Kolarov - Defensively strong and good dead ball delivery. Poor sending off however. 6

Kolo Toure - Forced off through injury but solid until that point. 6

Kompany - Another impressive display. Dealt with the aerial threat and bailed Hart out well. 7.5

de Jong - Largely restricted in terms of offensive contribution but nullified Bolton well. 6.5

Barry - Not flashy but a key component in the trio functioning. 6.5

Yaya Toure - Dominant at times and appeared to have more licence going forward. 7.5

Silva - Another excellent display. Movement, touch and decisions something to behold. 8

Balotelli - His least headline-grabbing display. Hit the post and helped out defensively to good effect. 7

Tevez - Another game winner underlined his importance to the side. A big miss at Upton Park next week. 7.5

Sub:

Lescott - Equipped himself when after replacing Kolo Toure. Tested and upto the job. 7

Milner - Too late to mark. n/a

Given - Very little to do and protected well by the back four. 6.5

Boateng - Made some nice forays forward. Useful minutes under his belt. 7

Kolo Toure - Held his concentration and distribution always good. 7

Lescott - Got forward at times (overlapping wing-back?!) and held firm defensively. 7

Zabaleta - Comfortable on the left and a nice ball for Balotelli's opener. 7

Vieira - A quiet game. Not tested though and did his job allowing Milner more freedom. 6.5

Milner - In his favoured position and looked more threatening as a result. 7.5

Wright-Phillips - More complete than recent performances. Difficult to see him starting though. 7

Johnson - Nice goal and a constant threat. A timely reminder that even drew praise from Mancini. 7.5

Balotelli - Looks such a good player and far from the finished article too. Salzburg couldn't handle him. 8

Jo - Had a big chance but couldn't quite deliver apart from one or two moments. 6

Subs:

Adebayor - Ran around manfully. To make an impression or because of the cold? 6

Richards - Barely time to impact either way. 6

Hart - Looked fairly commanding against some early Stoke pressure. Didn't face many shots but stood firm when needed. 6.5

Richards - Great piece of skill for the goal that could (should) have won the game. Still not convinced he has what it takes from a defensive standpoint. 6.5

Kolo Toure - A little below recent performances. A poor decision to hit the ball long that ultimately led to Stoke's equaliser. 6

Kompany - A tough afternoon but came out well against Jones and Fuller. 7

Kolarov - Again impressed going forward and looks to be a sound signing from Mancini. 7

de Jong - Didn't command the midfield like he has done in recent times. 6

Barry - A good second half and continued his better attacking play from last week. 7

Milner - Struggled a little; caught between a central and left sided role and failed to really create. 5.5

Silva - The best on display. Some quality movement and touches although couldn't quite add the finish. 7

Balotelli - A couple of nice touches but a little too much time appearing frustrated with the world. 5.5

Tevez - Willing and hard working but couldn't escape the attention of the Stoke back line. 6.5

Sub:

Johnson - A surprise move having got the lead. Little impact. 6

Hart - Rarely tested in a comfortable victory. Distribution good as this Guardian chalkboard shows. 7

Zabaleta - Very positive going forward, always an option for the midfield. Took his goal well and set up Tevez for another. Yellow card means a suspension for Stoke however. 7.5

Kolo Toure - Excellent concentration throughout and passed well from the back. Continuing the flourishing partnership with Kompany. 7.5

Kompany - Agree with TLDORC that you are in danger of taking him for granted such is the level of his play this season. Very good once again. 7.5

Kolarov - Showed the benefit of a couple of games under his belt, turning in the type of performance hoped for, but never got, with Bridge. More to come too surely. 8

de Jong - Usual characteristics on display but technically excellent too, using the ball well and much was started through him. 7.5

Yaya Toure - Played with more confidence and purpose than of late. Showed his quality with the touch and finish for his goal. 7

Barry - Shrugged off his indifferent form. Contributed far more in an attacking sense than for the most part this season. 7.5

Silva - Touch, control and use of the ball all evident qualities. Movement was good and linked with Tevez time and again. 7

Jo - A surprise inclusion but utilised well by Hart. Ability to move inside also took some of the weight (but not space) off Tevez. 7

Tevez - Now a shock when he doesn't score. Work rate superb and ran Salcido ragged - clearly enjoying his football too. Now the top scorer in the Premier League with nine goals. 8

Hart – Fortunate a couple of strikes came back off the woodwork but a strong all-round display. 6.5

Boateng – Showed the quality going forward that was evident in the World Cup. Looks set to really kick on. 7

Kolo Toure – Concentration was good and made a couple of timely tackles. 7

Kompany – Plenty of authority and kept the West Brom forwards at bay for the most part. 7

Zabaleta – Excellent at left-back, strong and committed throughout. ‘Pascal’ proved he is the best alternative to Kolarov in that position. 7.5

de Jong – No effects from the recent injury and an important presence throughout, especially after such an early booking. 7

Barry – Passing was far better than it has been of late. Clearly prefers the comfort of de Jong in the midfield. 7

Yaya Toure – Best game for the club. Strong and marauding, expect him to add goals over the course of the season. 8

Silva – Some masterful passing from the Spaniard, who was influential in creating both goals. Getting better and better with each game. 7.5

Balotelli – Summed up in an entertaining sixty minutes on the pitch. With the focus on the sending, it is easy to forget what a good player he looked. Much, much more to come. 6

Tevez – Such a vital presence and seems to enliven the side when he plays. As strong and committed as we have seen. 7.5

Subs:

Johnson – Not particularly required going forward but pitched in well late on to help secure the points. 6.5