Kyle Walker redeemed himself after inadvertently allowing his former club, Sheffield United, to equalize in the 85th minute. He played a crucial role in setting up Rodri's winning goal just three minutes later, helping Manchester City continue their flawless beginning to their Premier League title defense.
While City maintains their status as the only top-flight team with a perfect 100% start, this match was far from straightforward. Unlike their comfortable victory over the same opponents in the FA Cup semi-final, this time Paul Heckingbottom's recently promoted team pushed to the maximum. After Erling Haaland's 63rd-minute opening goal, Sheffield United displayed determination and even managed to equalize through Jayden Bogle before Rodri once again came through with a crucial goal.
Any preconceived notions of a routine victory for City were shattered as Haaland missed yet another penalty in the first half, giving United a glimmer of hope.
This marks the first instance since Pep Guardiola's inaugural season in charge that City has secured victory in their opening three league matches. However, the manager, who is currently recovering from back surgery in Barcelona, might find himself video calling Walker for a private conversation. The new captain's mishap allowed Bénie Traoré to seize the ball in City's own area, leading to United's goal.
Though the threat was only partially averted and Vinícius Souza executed a forceful challenge, the ball deflected to Bogle, a substitute positioned on the right periphery of City's penalty area. With time at his disposal, Bogle skillfully controlled the ball before powerfully striking it past Ederson – while Oli McBurnie, judged not to impede the goalkeeper's line of sight – into the distant corner. The eruption of celebration at Bramall Lane signaled United's belief in the possibility of securing an unexpected first point of the season.
Walker lowered his head, in the very stadium where he had excelled for a substantial period, but swiftly recuperated to deliver a pivotal tackle at the opposite end, all within a span of three minutes. Dispossessing Yasser Larouci deep in the corner, Walker regained composure before delivering a pass back to Phil Foden.
The ball found its way to Rodri, who had previously scored City's winning goal in the Champions League final in June. He fiercely struck the ball into the top corner, providing a dazzling conclusion to an exhilarating match that will undoubtedly boost both teams in different ways.
Despite their clinical gameplay, City has now failed to convert three out of their last five penalties, excluding shootout situations, tracing back to Haaland's miss against Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-final second leg back in April.
This particular opportunity arose eight minutes prior to halftime. Julián Álvarez, receiving Jack Grealish's pass down the left channel inside the penalty area, lofted a cross that struck the arm of John Egan as the United captain lunged forward in an attempt to block. However, Haaland's left-footed strike collided with the inner side of the post as Wes Foderingham dove in the opposite direction.
The devoted United fans in the Kop behind the goal reveled in this moment. Gleefully, they chanted, "You're just a poor imitation of Billy Sharp," paying homage to their recently departed club legend. Yet, it was only a matter of time before City made their breakthrough, and as expected, Haaland eventually had his moment to shine.
.webp)
United are hopeful that they've discovered the goal-scoring talent required to invigorate their fight for survival, as they introduced Cameron Archer to the audience before the match. Archer had just been signed for £18 million from Aston Villa, although his debut would have to wait for a different occasion.
United displayed determination, strong organization, and a strategy centered around counterattacks, utilizing the front duo of Traoré and Will Osula. However, it was only after they fell behind in the middle of the second half that they truly unleashed their potential. Gustavo Hamer, with a powerful shot that was subsequently blocked, and later Anel Almedhodzic, whose attempt narrowly missed the target after Ederson cleared the ball, finally generated their initial goal-scoring efforts. Following this, McBurnie sent a header wide from a corner delivered by Olly Norwood.
During the first half, with Guardiola recovering from surgery in Barcelona, nobody occupied the City technical area. A pause in the game, prompted by Ben Osborn's injury and subsequent substitution due to what seemed to be a groin injury, allowed United to receive both water and instructions in equal measure. Meanwhile, City's players were left to their own devices, engaging in calm conversations on the field. This is undoubtedly easier when you haven't spent the previous fifteen minutes relentlessly chasing the ball around.
Nathan Aké managed to place the ball into the net as Foderingham hesitated, yet Rodri was deemed offside as he nodded Bernardo Silva's free-kick across the six-yard box. The keeper, Foderingham, demonstrated an excellent save from Álvarez's shot, and a superb cross from Walker was practically begging to be converted at the far post. At this point, City had amassed 85% of possession. United, in the meantime, defended resolutely and sought opportunities to counter through Traoré and Osula.
During a moment when Grealish attempted to cross, Jack Robinson seemingly held Haaland down. George Baldock received a yellow card for a tackle on Grealish that is typically associated with Sunday morning matches and mismatches in the FA Cup. The sound of the halftime whistle was met with exuberant cheers from the home supporters.
In the second half, City intensified their presence within the opposition's territory. Haaland narrowly missed a near-post attempt, and following Rodri's narrowly wide shot from the far post, Haaland made a goal-oriented sprint but was denied by Foderingham's save. Álvarez's shot was deflected into the side-netting, and Walker's powerful strike from 25 yards soared just above the goal frame. However, the volume in the stadium surged as the home team felt a storyline aligning with their aspirations.
Even when City managed to score, with Haaland soaring above Robinson at the far post to decisively convert Grealish's cross, the fans at Bramall Lane immediately responded with chants of "United, United." A counterchant of "We're Champions of Europe, we score when we want" echoed back. Ultimately, it appeared that the latter assertion held true, much to the relief of Walker.
%20(1)-Photoroom.png)