MAN CITY 2, SHEFF UTD 0
Manchester City laboured to victory against newly-promoted Sheffield United whose incredible 344 day unbeaten away record finally ended.
It needed the intervention of referee Chris Kavanagh for stuttering City to make the breakthrough early in the second period as he blocked Blades’ John Fleck enabling the hosts to start the move leading to Sergio Aguero scoring.
The Blades could justifiably feel aggrieved as they were also denied a first half lead as Lys Mousset’s goal was ruled out by VAR by the smallest of margins.
It was another game of milestones as this was Pep Guardiola’s 100th Premier League win in 134 games which was quicker than Jose Mourinho who reached his century in 142 games.
Embed from Getty ImagesHe said: “In three-and-a-half years we have won an incredible number of games.”
“It is a compliment to the players and staff when you look at the other managers and prestigious clubs like Manchester United, Liverpool, Everton, Chelsea and Arsenal.
Guardiola was delighted with the victory, continuing: “It was incredibly tough less than 48 hours after our last game and against one of the most physical opponents in the Premier League and we are delighted to have won.”
City’s manager added it would have “incredibly difficult” to beat the Blades had Mousset’s goal stood and they would have found themselves behind.
Guardiola added the last three to four years have been incredible for City explaining they have been hit this season by a “lot of injuries to important players”.
Though Liverpool are out of sight at the top, Guardiola said the motivation remains to improve with every game towards next season.
Blades’ manager Chris Wilder thought Kavanagh ought to have blown up after he unwittingly intervened in the opening goal.
“I don’t think anybody would have complained had he done that. If it had happened the other way, I am sure there would have been said,” he explained.
Wilder was critical of VAR pointing out eight or nine goals have been chalked off this weekend.
He said: “You are talking about blurred lines and angles. We need a clearer way of defining it with the technology we have.
“You had 29,000 fans at Norwich chanting about VAR and today a four-letter word before VAR.
“It has not been refined enough to make a difference.”
Wilder added Kavanagh invited him to see him after the game.
“He was open and honest and I will leave it between him and me. You can put two and two together and get an answer, but he affected the game,” he said.
City made only three changes from the side beaten at Wolves two days earlier.
They were all in defence with goalkeeper Ederson suspended while Benjamin Mendy and Nicolas Otamendi dropped down to the bench.
Claudio Bravo took over in goal while Oleksandr Zinchenko and Eric Garcia, with a first Premier League start, were drafted into the back line.
It was a surprise that the midfield engine wasn’t freshened as Ilkay Gundogan and Phil Foden were again on the bench.
The Blades had the first clear-cut chance as Mousset glanced a header wide from six yards.
And there was an early swagger from Sheffield as they confidently stroked the ball around as they display the form that had lifted them into fifth place.
Riyad Mahrez had City’s first opening but his close-range shot was blocked by John Egan and deflected for a corner.
Sheffield were denied a 29th minute goal when Mousset’s strike was ruled out by VAR after the most marginal of calls.
Mousset was put clean through by John Fleck and slotted past Bravo but the checks by Stuart Attwell at Stockley Park was ruled out.
It prompted chants from the visiting fans that “it’s not football anymore” and other not so polite phrases.
Mousset was put through again five minutes before the break but, on his wrong foot, fired into the side netting when he ought to have converted.
Guardiola made a tactical switch at the break as Rodrigo dropped back to be a third central defender which enabled full backs Kyle Walker and Zinchenko to push forward more as wing backs.
City made the breakthrough in the 52nd minute with their first on target goal attempt of the game.
It was a goal clouded in controversy as referee Chris Kavanagh collided with Blades’ Fleck which enabled City to gain possession as Kevin De Bruyne released Aguero who blazed high into the roof of the net. It was his 14th of the season and the 1,000th goal of Guardiola’s management career.
The Blades’ players and bench were furious and now it was Kavanagh whose abilities were taunted by the visiting fans.
Wilder later remarked it as a “game changer and it changed the game” as they were “comfortable” to that point.
He said: “We were not here to make it easy for them. They showed us respect with the team they played.
“We were not here to swap shirts and take pictures. We made it difficult for them in the first half and at the start of the second, and I thought we had the better chances.”
City made their first change just after the hour when Gundogan replaced Bernardo Silva.
City had an appeal for a penalty rejected as Mahrez’s shot stuck the arm of defender John Egan.
Mousset had his third gilt-edged chance of the match but this effort was deflected for a corner.
City’s second change with 10 minutes left saw Aguero make way for Foden.
De Bruyne sealed victory in the 82nd minute with City’s second and his seventh of the season following a move he started.
He began it inside his own half and, after a lung-busting run, played a return pass with Mahrez, stepped inside and wrong-footed goalkeeper Dean Henderson with a low shot.
City’s last change, Gabriel Jesus for Raheem Sterling came with two minutes left.
The Blades were unlucky not to find the net in the second of four additional minutes when substitute Billy Sharp’s header struck the upright, rolled along the goalline and amazingly stayed out.
It was a miss that summed up a frustrating evening for the Blades as key decisions and lady luck conspired against them.