Manchester City defeated Sheffield United 2-1 on Sunday afternoon in a hard-fought victory to leave Bramall Lane with all three points.
In Pep Guardiola’s absence, Juanma Lillo oversaw Manchester City’s first of two Premier League games on Sunday. His team traveled to Bramall Lane to face newly-promoted Sheffield United.
Despite not testing Wes Fodderingham in the Sheffield United goal and Erling Haaland’s feeble header on goal, the game started off predictably with City controlling the tempo and possession of the ball.
After a free kick was lofted into the penalty area, City did have the ball in the net before being denied by the linesman. Despite Rodri being ruled offside earlier in the move, Nathan Ake scored on the loose ball.
Five minutes later, Manchester City had a fantastic opportunity when Erling Haaland outmuscled a Sheffield United defender in the box and the ball bounced into Julian Alvarez’s path, but the goalkeeper made a wonderful save.
After 35 minutes, the Sky Blues were then given a penalty after a beautiful passage of play down the Sheffield United right side resulted in Alvarez isolating Jon Egan, who blocked a cross with his arm.
Despite constant City pressure, the score remained 0-0 as the two teams went into the half on equal footing after Erling Haaland’s penalty attempt hit the post and failed to score.
Following his missed penalty that put the half’s end on a negative note, the Norwegian appeared hungry for goals. He also made several appeals for more after being wrestled to the ground several times.
After Kyle Walker fizzed a low cross into the path of Haaland, who attempted to re-direct the ball with his right foot, he was gifted with an early second-half opportunity. As City kept up the pressure on the Blades, the Norwegian’s shot went just wide of the right post.
After 58 minutes, Rodri’s left-footed attempt just missed the target as City continued their onslaught from inside the Sheffield United penalty area.
Erling Haaland received another opportunity after Mateo Kovacic slipped him in. Haaland attempted to lift the ball over Fodderingham but was unsuccessful, necessitating a deft save from the goalkeeper.
A minute later, Grealish set up Julian Alvarez, who fired a low shot to the keeper’s right, giving the Blues another goal-scoring opportunity. The keeper made another outstanding save.
Erling Haaland, after a period of complete dominance, forced a game-changing goal as the pressure mounted.
Through Jack Grealish, the Blues continued to press down the left side. Grealish clipped the ball to the back post, where Haaland inexorably found himself. He headed the ball into the goal to give City a well-earned lead.
Following their goal, City was able to maintain possession and largely contain the home team; Oli Mcburnie’s header, which represented the game’s first half opportunity, sailed wide of Ederson’s left post.
Alvarez took advantage of a long run by Bernardo Silva to earn a free kick, and he struck it, forcing another, albeit simple, save from Fodderigham.
In the final ten minutes of play, Sheffield United tried to gain some momentum while City slowed things down in an effort to win the game and salvage the three points.
However, Kyle Walker’s lack of focus caused an uprising, and Jayden Bogle was able to score the crucial equalizer for the Blades when the ball broke his way and went past Ederson.
Rodri, whose habit of scoring important goals persisted, hammered the ball with a left-footed finish into the top left corner as City pushed and probed desperately to regain their lead. Their efforts were quickly successful.
The game came to a frantic conclusion, but Manchester City emerged victorious as the Blues earned all three points and climbed to the top of the Premier League standings.
Having said that, here is how we rated the player contributions from Sunday’s triumph!
Player evaluations:.
Ederson scored 5 points.
Ultimately trouble-free up until the goal, occasionally with sloppy distribution.
Kyle Walker scored 5 points.
primarily at fault for the goal by Sheffield United, but contributed a few nice crosses in the opening period and was slightly unlucky not to have contributed an assist. Walker, however, significantly atoned for his mistakes by wanting to score the winning goal.
Ruben Dias: 7.
Not the most difficult afternoon for Dias, but the Portuguese star displayed class when called upon, leading from the back and seeming at ease as always in control.
Nathan Ake received a 7.
The Dutchman made a few good tackles and was dependable when necessary, much like Dias.
6.5 points for Josko Gvardiol.
Since his transfer from RB Leipzig, the Croatian has slipped in with ease and taken control of the left side of the defense.
7.5 for Rodrigo (MOTM).
Before scoring the match-winning goal that gave City a vital three points away from home, he was a little careless, making some timid attempts that failed to trouble the Sheffield United goal.
Bernardo Silva received 7 points.
Silva, who demonstrated his value after receiving a contract extension on Wednesday, is reinstated to the starting lineup. Siva, who was extremely impressive and ran the show, created and made a contribution on every level.
Mateo Kovacic: 7.
Kovacic, who was praised by Juanma Lillo prior to the game for his comfortability since arriving, put on yet another cool and collected performance.
Julián Alvarez: 6.
Alvarez had a difficult afternoon with a few attempts that came up short. On another day, the Argentine could have feasted.
Erling Haaland: 7.
Haaland, who had a frustrating first half before giving City the lead with his third goal of the year after 63 minutes, had conflicting feelings.
Jack Grealish scored a 5/5.
Despite helping to score the first goal, Grealish put on a fairly subpar performance and was largely shut down on the City left.
Substitutes:.
Phil Foden: 6.
Foden replaced Kovacic later in the game and looked like a spark, claiming the assist for the game-winner.
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