SHEFF UTD 1, MAN CITY 2
Manchester City were given the fright of their lives as they scraped a slender victory at newly promoted Sheffield United.
It looked as though City, with Pep Guardiola absent following back surgery, were going to be held after substitute Jayden Bogle scored a late leveller for the Blades.
But City showed the traits of champions as they found a way of winning as Rodri came up with a spectacular strike to silence the home fans who dared to dream that they might be picking up their first Premier League point against the treble winners.
It was a frustrating afternoon for City who enjoyed 80 per cent possession and managed 30 goal attempts to six from the Blades, but managed just one goal from Erling Haaland who also missed a penalty.
But the victory also marked a landmark for Guardiola as it was his 200th Premier League win from 269 games, the quickest this has been achieved.
This was also the first time since 2016/17 that City had won their first three league games of the season as they have been notoriously slow starters.
The Blades had defended resolutely, and it looked as though they might snatch an unlikely draw against City who they last beat in 2000 in what is today’s Championship.
City assistant manager Juanma Lillo, who took charge, said: “We played really well, though the scoreline was a lot closer to what we wanted.
“In the first half we found it hard to find space and the penalty would have changed the game if it had gone in.
“In the second half we found our rhythm and could have scored more goals.”
There was praise for Haaland for his perseverance as Lillo explained: “Missing a penalty is frustrating for any striker, not just Erling.
“He showed mental fortitude to keep going and he had the mindset to want to keep scoring goals. You must also remember he is a young lad.”
Lillo revealed he spoke to Guardiola during the game as did other members of the technical staff adding his presence was at the game.
Embed from Getty ImagesHe added he would not have sat in Guardiola’s seat on the bench had there been more space.
United manager Paul Heckingbottom took positives from the game, explaining: “I was pleased with the performance.
“You need a perfect performance to beat them and it was a kick in the teeth to lose for all our good play.
“I will focus on the performance and game on game we have got better. I believe we will cause problems and keep improving.”
City made two changes from the side that defeated Newcastle United 1-0 last week with Nathan Ake and Bernardo Silva coming in for the Manuel Akanji and Phil Foden who had both been unwell, though Foden was on the bench.
New signing Jeremy Doku was named on a youthful bench that also included youngsters Cole Palmer, James McAtee and Oscar Bobb.
City were captained by Kyle Walker against the club where he began his career.
United made one change from the starting line-up that faced Nottingham Forest last week with Max Lowe being replaced by George Baldock.
New striker Cameron Archer, signed from Aston Villa today for £18m, applauded the home fans prior to kick-off when he was introduced on the Bramall Lane pitch.
City, despite enjoying 83 per cent possession in the opening half and creating 12 chances to the Blades’ none, they rarely looked like breaking the stalemate in a goalless opening period.
Haaland had two early headers, one flew well over the bar and the other went harmlessly to keeper Wes Foderingham.
The Norwegian then set up Julian Alvarez whose effort was well kept out by Foderingham who spread himself well.
City were awarded a 35th minute penalty when Alvarez cut the ball back from the by-line and John Egan handled.
Haaland stepped forward but saw his shot kick strike the inside of the upright and fly to safety.
Quite what Guardiola made of the opening half was unknown as he watched from home in Spain.
While Guardiola constantly paces the technical area, assistant Juanma Lillo was not seen on the touchline throughout the half.
Haaland was having a frustrating afternoon as soon after the restart he fired wide from a low Walker cross when under normal circumstances you would have expected him to find the net.
It was a measure of Lillo’s anxiety that he eventually appeared in the technical area to encourage the City players who had yet to find anything like top gear.
As the hour approached, City began to crank up the pressure as Rodri’s shot flew narrowly wide while Foderingham saved well to deny Haaland and Alvarez.
The breakthrough came in the 63rd minute when Jack Grealish’s trickery on the left led to a cross to the far post which Haaland headed home from three yards for his third goal of the season.
Haaland had the ball in the net again not long after, but he had strayed offside.
The Blades made changes and one of them, Oli McBurnie, carried a threat with his direct style and he went close with a header from Oliver Norwood’s corner.
City needed a second goal to kill off the game and Alvarez went close bringing a good save from Foderingham following a free kick.
How City were made to pay for their wastefulness in front of goal as United equalised in the 85th minute through substitute Bogle.
Benie Traore ran at City’s defence on the left and the ball was spread to Bogle on the right of the box and he powered home a drive into the far corner.
Lillo responded by bringing on Foden for Mateo Kovacic and the Stockport Iniesta had a hand in City’s 88th minute winner.
Traore lost the ball in the corner as he tried to usher it out of play. Walker cut the ball back from the right and Foden touched the ball on to Rodri who lashed home a spectacular effort into the top corner, his second goal of the season.
And even then the Blades had a chance to make it 2-2 as Anel Ahmedhodzic just failed to get a touch at the far post on to a cross.
It was a measure on the threat the Blades carried that City were happy to keep the ball in the corner to waste time during the seven additional minutes which were played, a compliment to the hosts.