Gelson coming on was a massive mistake by Hughes. Jo was poor

Can't agree with these ratings. But then again, they must have been done at half time!

City were very poor in defence in the second half, even before the sending off.

Watching the game on Arab TV so not influenced by any commentary.

The performance in the first half was as good as it gets against a Sky4 team.

Second half? Did someone forget to tell the team that it really is a game of two halves?

Just weren't at the races in any area. Couldn't tell if it was different tactics but the zip wasn't in any of the play.

What can be done about the standard of referreeing though? Not questioning the red card for Zab but the karate kid should have got one to make a matching pair. Not even a free kick? And to rub salt into the wounds, pulling Ched back and being given a free-kick? The football gods must have taken a measure of revenge on him. Add to that a succession of niggling fouls on Robinho that were mainly ignored by the ref - took the wind out of his sails.

If the consistent awarding of bordeline decisions keeps going towards the Sky4 teams and away from the serious challengers then it is not good for the game.

Have to say that Hart was in no-mans land for the headed corner and didn't look good enough today. Hopefully it will bring him back to earth with a bump and we can hope that MH is looking for a top-class signing in January.

Oh, and never ever ever ask Gelson Fernandes to play at right back again. Third goal and the skywards Torres hat-trick goal both came through the right-back slot across a red carpet with a gilt-edged invitation.

just read the reports on Sky and the BBC, did they go to the same game? We are going to have to get used to negative press and show on the pitch we are good enough, but it will take time and we have to show patience and keep the faith. CTID

Chris this is absurdly optimistic. City were excellent in the first half but very weak in the second. Players can't be marked for half a game only. here's my marks;
Hart 4 useless in the six yard area. Does not inspire confidence amongst defenders;
Zab 6 Great until reckless tackle; garrido 6 Great free kick, passed at will in second half though; Richards 7 Some good tackles; Dunne 4 Again hapless at set pieces and lots markers Simply not good enouhg any more; Kompany 6 OK; Ireland 7 Carried on recent good form; Elano 7 Brilliant in first half though faded; Wright-Phillips 7 The usual reliable excellence at times; Jo,6 Held ball up well in the first half before becoming too isolated; Robinho, 4 Totally ineffective. An embarassing waste of money. Too many cute flicks. God, we should have got a much better player for 32 million! Give me Petrov any day. Managers. Hughes completely out-thought by the Spanish tactician.

Only complaint regarding performance was referee not red-carding Skrtel for the kung-fu kick on Jo. No argument with Zabaleta being shown red, but Skrtel should have gone as well. Maybe the ref was poorly positioned to see it, but if so the linesman was in perfect position. Don't even think a foul was called. To make it worse, didn't they equalize minutes later. TV technology should be able to follow up and administer punishment afterwards. Hope the dude is not seriously injured, but he should be red-carded in his hospital bed.

Chris, I cannt understand your player ratings,was you watching the same Jo and Robinho as me ?

Can't believe there are people on here moaning about Robinho and calling him a waste of money. Did you not see how many times he got kicked pushed and generally man-handled today? If we were a top-4 team he'd have won 10 free kicks, but unfortunately we're not there yet, so the ref££$"&rees don't give us anything. Can't defend his miss from two yards, but he gets no protection, and will take time to get used to the rough treatment he'll inevitably receive in the PL.

How about getting behind the players in blue?

!!!!! Did you have to shoot off somewhere at half-time, Chris? You don't give a 7 to a player for 45 minutes graft (and 45 minutes ineptitude). The game lasts 90 minutes. These ratings are farcical. Absolutely HATE to say this but, same old, same old City...

timmy are you having a laugh regarding dunnie he was brilliant today and was one of are best players!

he made some great tackles and calmed every one down after the sending off!

If Robinho is worth 32.5 mill what would a present day kinkladze be worth? Listerning to MH, everything will be alright come January. I'm nervous that we will be panick buying then and not getting the top european players we need. Last January we ended up with Benjani.

I agree with Blue Dune....we are too small at set play's.

I thought Walton was by far the best player on the park.

Zabaleta had no choice but to try what he did because of the "hospita" ball that SWP "passed" to him. I though SWP very poor today with many wated passes.

Absolute lute dire in the 2nd half. Hart, dunne and Richards very, very poor. No striking power Robinho my hero was bad!

Take away the appalling refereeing that meant only blue shirts were penalised and City may have been worth a draw. The marks you gave are inconsistent with my lofty view from Tier 3 of the East Stand, Robinho was poor, Jo won a few headers and thats about it, Dunne and Richards cannot defend corners, Hart is looking a bit out of his depth, Elano did ok, SWP played well, the rest average at best.
Hughes totally clueless, we were getting battered from the re-start, we needed to do something to break things up even if that meant time wasting or giving away a few niggly fouls, Haman and Gelson should have come on for Jo and Rob, and we could have put SWP up front. At 2-0 if you are staring to wilt you break up the game, Hughes gambled on us riding out the storm and it didnt work.
Early days but we need at least half a new team to challenge the Establishment Four. Thank you.

steven ireland did NOT stand comparison with gerrard full stop...as well as hes been playing and did a decent job first half he went missing and didnt get a kick for 45 mins...hart MUST learn to accept responsibilty and come for crosses / corners. that header was scored from 4 yrds out...come off yer line and clean out everything lad....young and should learn but doesnt seem to be. robinho struggled today and swp for all his effort made some strange decisions when on the ball. shouldnt forget we played very well first half but liverpool alway had the edge in possession and i always thought they were gonna win from the minute the first goal went in...if only we couldve lasted another 10 minutes.

EEES No wonder we lose we fightened by a full house we are no used to it .We never make big time now .We are city not destined for big time with big boys.

Mark Hughes please,please bring in a couple. of spoilers and hard nuts who can defend high balls and tackle fiercely. Dunne, Hart and Richards are now becoming Anyone attacking our stars Robinho ans SWP should be treated with contempt and suffer severe, fair but tough pondings to legs and body. Only then will the nasties be put on the sidelines.

This game just summed up being a City fan- massive expectation and ultimately disappointment but I will be back for more soon!. Great first half display and sending off rattled us. Thought Zabelleta looked excellent, SWP seemed to be trying too hard and wanting too many touches, not a Garrido fan but he did well. Hughes will get it right I am sure and is still learning about his players.

Don't all jump on Robinho's back - the guy is the most marked, most 'well dealt' with player in the World right now - every team does their utmost to stop him - it's not his fault!!! Also a lot of new arrivals to clubs take a long time to settle in - Keane took 12 games to score for Liverpool and Crouch took 24 games when he joined Liverpool! Robinho has scored two goals already in his first few games..... Its Elano you should be criticizing - that guy is no longer heavily marked as he was last season - yet he still shows the post Christmas form of last season.

Hart, 2 (although unfortunately Schmeichel is no better); Richards, 3 (give him a run in the reserves, please, Mr Hughes)

Shocking decision to bring on the lightweight Fernandez who gets a six??? His best position is at the top of a Christmas Tree, not at full back!

Can't agree, Robinho a total waste of space and didn't show any signs of wanting the ball or getting stuck in. That miss from 3 yards..... well you don't have to be a genious to work out how 3-1 would have changed the whole complex of the game. Elano by far the best player in a City shirt, always wants the ball, nothing stupid and always an outlet for defenders, midfielders or strikers. Ireland took his goal well, but then can anyone tell me what else he actually did. Hid behind Liverpool players all afternoon, not good enough for me today and dissapoints me as he's been brilliant recently. Mark Hughes made a MASSIVE blunder bringing Fernandes on, Ben Haim must be pig sick, he was asked to strip off, then told a midfielders with very little experience who runs round like a headless chicken was going on instead. SHOCKING DECISION HUGHES.

If you can't hold onto a 2-0 lead in this league, you're going to stay where you are. Mediocre.