SHEFF UTD 0, MAN CITY 1
Kyle Walker returned to his boyhood club to inflict more misery on relegated-threatened Sheffield United.
Right back Walker, making his 100th Premier League appearance for Manchester City, was the unlikely matchwinner on his return to Bramall Lane.
In almost three-and-a-half years and 151 appearances for City, this was only his third goal.
It gave City as comfortable a 1-0 victory as you could imagine as they were in complete control.
And despite their injury troubles and Pep Guardiola’s worst-ever start to a season – eight points from five games before this game – City appear to be overcoming adversity as this win lifted them to seventh place.
Apart from Walker’s goal, there was a rare clean sheet after City had conceded wight goals in their first five league games, their worst start since 2006-07 season.
But City are no longer free-scoring as this was then fifth successive league game in which they have not scored more than one goal, the first time this has happened under Guardiola.
Embed from Getty ImagesCity’s manager was pleased with his side’s display but admitted nine goals in six league games is not enough
He said: “We played really well and nine goals from six league games is not enough.
“We struggled to score goals from the chances we created. Sixteen shots, eight on target, so it’s a lot against this team. They play incredibly well down the sides, the patience they have, but they had one clear chance and no more than that.
“It’s our third game in seven days, all away, it’s so demanding. People have responded to that well.”
Guardiola also dismissed reports linking a return to Barcelona.
He said: “My career as a manager in Barcelona is over. There are incredible people who can be in charge. Ronald Koeman is an incredible manager. It’s over.
“I will come back to watch a game, but I am happy here, I have the desire to do well and this is the most important thing.
“Now there will be elections in Barcelona, and hopefully they can choose the right person and the right board to maintain the club as it is, at the highest level.”
There was disappointment from Blades’ manager Chris Wilder who thought his side were the architects of their own downfall.
He said: “It was a great opportunity for us, but I was disappointed the way we turned over the ball.
“We couldn’t pass the ball from A to B, sometimes we couldn’t find a man from 10 yards, and it was down to poor individual decisions.
“You cannot do that against unbelievable players like Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker, Aymeric Laporte and Ruben Dias.
“I was disappointed we didn’t do enough with the ball and put them on the back foot. We are going to have to show more than that if we are to survive.
The Blades, meanwhile, have picked up only one point from their first seven league games, their worst start to a season for 29 years.
And they still have not beaten City in nine Premier League meetings which have produced three draw and six losses. The last time they beat City was in the second tier in 2000.
City made three changes to the side that enjoyed a 3-0 midweek Champions League win at Marseille.
There were recalls for Bernardo Silva, Riyad Mahrez and Joao Cancelo as Phil Foden, Ilkay Gundgan and Oleksandr Zinchenko stood down to the bench.
City were still without injured Sergio Aguero, Gabriel Jesus, Fernandinho and Benjamin Mendy, but Nathan Ake had recovered and was named as a substitute.
The Blades made one change from the side beaten at Liverpool as Max Lowe replaced John Lundstram in defence.
There was one minute’s silence before kick-off as it was the game nearest to Remembrance Sunday and in memory of England World Cup winner Nobby Stiles who had died the previous day.
Then at half time there was a James Bond themed musical tribute to actor Sean Connery whose death aged 90 came to light during the opening period.
After completely dominating the opening territorially, the only surprise was it took City until the 28th minute to break the deadlock.
Blades’ goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale had already twice denied Ferran Torres with brilliant saves and a beaten out a drive from Rodrigo while other efforts flew wide or over.
The goal was a work of art in both its construction and execution.
Raheem Sterling made a mesmeric break down the left and Kevin De Bruyne then supplied a crossfield pass to Walker who struck a first-time drive from almost 30 yards which flew like an Exocet missile low past Ramsdale.
After the remainder of the half was uneventful, City made a lively start to the second period.
De Bruyne fired narrowly wide and then Mahrez’s free kick was superbly turned away by Ramsdale who was keeping the Blades in the match.
After riding their luck, the hosts came into the game and had two great chances to equalise.
Sander Berge opened up the City defence and cut the ball back to Lundstram who shot narrowly over.
Rhian Brewster was then put clean through but he failed miserably to lob Ederson presenting the Brazilian goalkeeper with a simple catch.
City made their first change with nine minutes let when Torres was replaced by Foden, soon to be followed by Mahrez making way for Gundogan as they ran down the clock with their game management faultless as they prevented the Blades from threatening them in the latter stages.