Manchester City : Erling Haaland’s mixed fortune and Rodri’s late heroics ensure City’s triumph.
Manchester City Undefeated Commencement
Manchester City’s unbeaten start to the Premier League season continued on Sunday when, after Erling Haaland’s missed penalty opportunity, Rodri clinched a 2-1 win against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
Manchester City teetered on the brink of dropping points when Jaden Bogle equalized with only five minutes remaining. However, just three minutes later, Rodri’s sublime strike ensured that Pep Guardiola’s team maintained their top position in the table after three consecutive victories.
Guardiola Watches from Afar
City’s latest win came without Guardiola, who was recovering from back surgery and was watching from Barcelona. The City manager was in touch with his deputy Juanma Lillo, who assumed responsibilities at Bramall Lane and will continue to do so against Fulham next Saturday.
Guardiola would have been comforted knowing that City can flourish even in his absence. Even though he was away, this marked a notable victory for Guardiola, who has now secured 200 league wins with City in just 269 games, breaking José Mourinho’s previous record set in 2020 after 326 Premier League matches.
Manchester City Early Dominance
For the first time since 2016, Manchester City has begun a season with three successive league victories, signalling that their hunger for success isn’t satisfied despite last season’s title win. The hosts should have taken the lead when Julian Alvarez’s cross was blocked by John Egan’s outstretched arm in the 36th minute. Yet, Haaland’s penalty struck the post. A miss seemed likely after Haaland missed another excellent opportunity from Kyle Walker’s cross, hinting that it wasn’t the striker’s day.
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Haaland’s Redemption
Despite previously converting seven penalties in the Premier League, this was Haaland’s first miss. But the Norwegian’s fortunes turned in the 63rd minute when he met Jack Grealish’s enticing cross, soaring above Jack Robinson at the far post to reward Manchester City’s territorial dominance.
Sheffield’s Late Surge and City’s Response
The Blades looked set to snatch a point in the 85th minute, leveling through an opportunistic Bogle strike. Walker, who grew up supporting the club he was now facing, was culpable with an unnecessary backheel in his own area, leading to a combined attack finished off with Bogle’s ferocious strike past Nathan Aké.
Seizing possession outside the United area, Rodri, after evading Walker’s marker, unleashed a fierce strike from 12 yards into the top corner, giving Manchester City the lead again just three minutes later.
