• 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

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


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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.

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.