- Manchester City defeated Sheffield United 2-1 in the Premier League to take the lead in the standings on Sunday.
- Goals from Haaland and Rodri secured the win for the treble winners.
Manchester City defeated Sheffield United 2-1 in the Premier League to take the lead in the standings on Sunday.
Erling Haaland’s rare penalty miss gave the treble champions a rough first 45 minutes, but in the second half, the Golden Boot winner turned from zero to hero to sever the tie.
However, a Jayden Bogle equalizer brought the game to a tense conclusion. Rodri then maintained his team’s perfect record with a magnificent shot into the top corner, leaving the Blades with little to show for their admirable efforts.
In a frustrating opening 45 minutes, City could have used a little of Foden’s creativity as assistant manager Juanma Lillo saw his team press the Blades back to their defensive half before trying to find their way through the low block.
Haaland missed from the penalty spot. Photo/Manchester City
Ben Osborn seemed to twist his groin in the 18th minute, worsening Paul Heckingbottom’s injury issue. Nathan Ake scored for City two minutes after Yasser Larouci entered the game.
Wes Foderingham’s error allowed the Dutchman to volley home from close range following Rodri’s free-kick header, but the goal was overturned because the Spaniard was offside as the ball floated into the box.
A crucial reprieve for Sheffield United came in the 27th minute when a Haaland effort bounced into Julian Alvarez’s path, but Foderingham rushed out and made himself huge to stop the Argentine from scoring from close range.
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However, there was no relief for the Blades backline as John Egan, who was sliding, stopped Alvarez’s cut back with his stretched-out arm in the 35th minute, prompting referee Jarred Gillett to point to the spot.
As usual, Haaland would take the penalty shot for what would appear to be his normal goal, but instead of sending Foderingham the wrong way, the 23-year-old’s shot hit the post and rolled harmlessly away, setting off joyful celebrations behind the Sheffield United goal.
Man City and an irate Haaland, who had been subjected to rough treatment by Sheffield United’s center-backs just before halftime, made a few more shouts for a penalty, but none of them were good enough for Gillett to award a spot-kick.
Just a second later, the struggling Blades goalkeeper denied Alvarez at his near post before Kyle Walker’s distant shot went over the top, but the champs’ constant pressure would finally pay off with 63 minutes played.
Erling Haaland celebrates with Jack Grealish after scoring. Photo/Manchester City
Haaland was poised to head a bullet header into the back of the net from close range when Jack Grealish, who had seen enough of the ball down the left side, dinked a wonderful cross to the back post. There was scarcely any sign of joy from the relieved Scandinavian, though.
Eight minutes later, Haaland opened the net once more, but the offside flag was unavoidable. Nevertheless, Sheffield United refused to give up, as Ruben Dias produced a superb block in the closing 15 minutes.
Sheffield United fight back
Heckingbottom’s squad gained energy at this point, and with 85 minutes remaining, ex-Blades defender Walker gave his previous club the finest present he could: a terrible error that resulted in the equalizer.
The ball ultimately made its way to Bogle, who had plenty of time to set up his shot and struck the far corner via a tiny deflection, after the Englishman’s backheel inside of his own box fell to Benie Traore.
The crowd at Bramall Lane was ecstatic, but their joy was short-lived. Walker, seeking to atone for his gaffe, kept the ball in play on the right side and delivered in a low cross for Foden but Rodri was there to direct a thunderous half-volley into the top corner.
With nine points after this victory, Manchester City has the only perfect record this season, two points ahead of West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Arsenal.
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