MATCH REPORT AND PLAYER RATINGS - SHEFFIELD UNITED 1-2 MANCHESTER CITY

Image courtesy of 90min.com

Manchester City survived a late scare to come away with a richly deserved 3 points, against a resilient Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

City, who were without manager Pep Guardiola, who's currently in Spain recovering from an operation, dominated possession and created numerous chances, despite having neither Kevin de Bruyne or Phil Foden on the pitch for the majority of the match.

The first big chance of the game came from the penalty spot for City, after Julian Alvarez's cross was blocked by the arm of John Egan. Unfortunately for the penalty taker, Erling Haaland, his low driven penalty slammed off the inside of the post and out of play.

On another day, the 23 year old could have scored a hattrick, with the sheer number of chances he had in front of goal.

Alvarez also had a handful of good attempts, with the most noteworthy being in the first half. Haaland's strength holding off defenders from a throw in enabled the Argentinian a shooting opportunity, only for the impressive Wes Foderingham in goal for the Blades to smother the shot quickly.

City took a much deserved lead just after the hour mark, thanks to good work from Jack Grealish down the left hand side. The 27 year old patiently stood his man up, before beating him on the outside and clipping a brilliant cross to the back post which was attacked by Erling Haaland, who nodded past Foderingham to score.

City controlled the game well after this point, limiting the threat posed by Sheffield, but after a rare moment of stupidity from the usually dependable Kyle Walker, who back heeled the ball under pressure in his own penalty box, United were level through Jayden Bogle.

The Blues, and particularly Kyle Walker, responded magnificently to the setback, and were back in front again 3 minutes later, as Rodri lashed a loose ball into the top corner from inside the penalty box, to give City the lead they deserved for their dominance.

There was almost time for another twist, as centre back Anel Ahmedhodzic attempted an acrobatic effort at the back post, where a regular diving header would've likely seen him draw the Blades level again.

However, the 3 points were City's, which have helped further City's excellent start to the season. Despite only beating Newcastle and Sheffield by one goal, their performance levels, defensive solidity and ball retention in those two matches, plus in the 3-0 victory over Burnley, were much, much higher than in recent seasons under Guardiola's tenure.

The almost perfection of City's control and passing, against a tough Sheffield United side, was a very positive sign, particularly early in the season, where the Blues often look slower and more lethargic, whilst also being more prone defensively.

But City look sharp in the early season, and that's largely down to the winning mentality that remains in the squad from last season's treble success. Pep Guardiola has lost just 3 members of his main squad from last season, in Ilkay Gundogan, Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte, and is unlikely to lose any more, which can only be a positive for squad morale.

Plus, new signings Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic have taken to life playing at the European Champions like a duck to water, and it'll be interesting to see the impact new signing Jeremy Doku, and any other midfield signing City may make, have on the team.

City are back at the Etihad Stadium next week, when they take on Fulham, in what'll be a tough game for the Premier League champions, but won where they'll be hoping to emerge victorious.

Here are the player ratings for City's narrow victory at Bramall Lane:

Ederson - 6/10 - Didn't have much to do, as he would've expected, but might feel that he could've improved somewhat with his distribution, which is usually near perfection.

Walker - 7/10 - Despite his daft mistake, which led to Sheffield United's equaliser, Walker had an excellent game on the right hand side, and played like a man possessed in the short time period between the equaliser and Rodri's winner.

Dias - 8/10 - Excellent again from the 26 year old, who, for the first time in his City career, played as one of the more advanced wide defenders in the back 3 build. He looked very secure defensively, and comfortable on the ball too.

Ake - 7/10 - An incredibly solid, yet unspectacular performance from the Dutch international. The 28 year old got along with his business quietly without any fuss, which is by no means a bad thing for the deepest lying defender.

Gvardiol - 7/10 - Looks to be another excellent buy from City's recruitment staff. The young defender once again looked at home in the backline, and unlike in the Sevilla game, he offered a bit of an attacking threat when playing at fullback.

Rodri - 9/10 - I'm running out of superlatives for Rodri, the man who just seems to be right at the top of his game week in, week out. He got another goal contribution yesterday, his fourth of the season, which is a remarkable effort from a defensive midfielder, who surely has the Ballon D'Or in his sights after an impressive 2023.

Alvarez - 7/10 - A busy performance from the World Cup winner, who looked lively when attacking and pressed well when out of possession. Should have scored, as he had two decent left footed chances that, on another day, might have beaten Foderingham and ended up as a goal.

Kovacic - 8.5/10 - Another player who looks to have been an excellent buy, Kovacic is the perfect stabiliser in City's midfield. He allows the more creative midfielder, and even Rodri, more freedom to go forwards, and leave Kovacic's job as playing in between the lines and helping City move up the pitch. A sensational midfielder, who's only going to get better.

Bernardo - 7/10 - Showed a few moments of his immense technical skill, and worked his socks off defensively, in the week where he extended his contract by another season. However, in terms of creating chances from the right hand side, he didn't offer as much as he has done in the past.

Haaland - 7.5/10 - With every chance missed, Haaland became more and more hungry to finally find the back of the net. He got his chance eventually, and took it with aplomb, rising excellently at the back post to score. Hopefully, we'll now start to see the goals start flowing for the 23 year old in no time.

Grealish - 8/10 - A wonderful performance from the English international, who did exactly what the City coaching staff asked of him and more. His dribbling and ball retention was as good as ever, and he gave George Baldock a torrid time from a more offensive point of view. Thoroughly deserving of his assist, which once again epitomised his patience and eventual quality.

Substitutes:

Foden - 7.5/10 - Coming off the bench after not being fully fit, Foden was at his scintillating best, weaving in and out of Sheffield defenders with his mesmerising close control on numerous occasions. The only negative in his performance that comes to mind was his loose touch in the penalty area; luckily for him, it was pounced upon by Rodri, who scored the winner from it.