Report and free match highlights as Rodri sends Manchester City top with a late winner after Jayden Bogle's equaliser; Erling Haaland had earlier missed a penalty before making amends with the opening goal
Sunday 27 August 2023 21:13, UK
Manchester City moved to the top of the Premier League with a 2-1 win over Sheffield United thanks to Rodri's rocket late in the game.
Jayden Bogle had looked to have secured the Blades' first point of the season with his 85th minute strike but Rodri's left-footed effort won it for the defending champions in the 89th minute in a dramatic game at Bramall Lane in which Erling Haaland was centre stage.
Haaland had struck the post from the spot in the first half, one of three big chances missed by the Norwegian before he finally met Jack Grealish's left-wing cross midway through the second half to put City in front. But the real drama was still to come.
With Pep Guardiola absent from Bramall Lane following back surgery, City appeared to have been sucker-punched by Bogle's equaliser. It would have been a reward for the resilience of Paul Heckingbottom's side who battled hard throughout without seeing much of the ball.
But City promptly went up the other end and won it. The manner of the defeat, a third in a row, was cruel on Sheffield United. They were applauded off. As were Manchester City by the away support. They go top, now the only team with a perfect record.
Juanma Lillo, deputising for Guardiola, saw City struggle to break down Sheffield United's defensive shape as it proved difficult to penetrate the space in behind during the first half. Nathan Ake put the ball in the net but Rodri had been offside in the build-up.
The first big opening came when Haaland backed into his defender and shovelled the ball towards Julian Alvarez but Wes Foderingham saved brilliantly from close range. Soon after came the pivotal moment of the opening 45 minutes when City were awarded a penalty.
The ball inadvertently struck the arm of John Egan following Alvarez's cut back and the defender knew what was coming. Everyone in the stadium thought they knew what came next too but Haaland's spot-kick struck the post with Foderingham beaten.
It brought huge roars from the home support as belief grew that the Blades could pull off a shock against the champions. The second half brought more pressure - and another Haaland miss, the Norwegian shinning his effort wide after Kyle Walker fizzed in the cross.
On the hour came his third huge opportunity, played in on the angle with only Foderingham to beat. The Sheffield United goalkeeper was up to the challenge, producing another fine save, the problem for the home side was that they were getting deeper and deeper.
That played its part in the goal, Grealish being allowed to cross from inside the penalty box, his dinked centre finding the hulking figure of Haaland free at the back post. The relief among the City players and supporters was palpable. The Blades' resistance broken.
And then, another twist. Kyle Walker's curious decision to attempt a back-heel near the byline against his former club only presented the ball to his opponent. The attack rebuilt down the right and substitute Bogle's shot beat the despairing dive of Ederson.
The mood was raucous at that point but City kept calm and found the winner. Recycling play after Haaland could not get enough on a diving header, Phil Foden tried to bring the ball down but only teed it up perfectly for Rodri to arrow the ball into the top corner.
Even in stoppage-time there was more drama as Anel Ahmedhodzic came close to turning in a second equaliser of the game at the far post. Perhaps that would have been a twist too far.
Sheffield United will be boosted by the signing of 21-year-old Cameron Archer from Aston Villa in an £18m deal. The England U21 international has agreed a four-year deal at Bramall Lane, becoming the club's eighth signing of the summer.
"There was a great opportunity for us to sign a young, exciting forward and one who showed a desire to join us," said Heckingbottom. "Cameron brings us pace, agility and a goalscoring record - we are looking forward to working with him."
"Today would have been difficult for any striker, how it played out in the first half," Lillo explained. "Of course, there was the situation with the penalty. That would be frustrating for anyone and can happen to any striker not just Erling.
"What it does show, not just because he scored but because he came so close with other chances, it really shows his mental fortitude to keep going. That is rare to find and he showed it today.
"His mindset is so good that he misses the penalty and he keeps going, keeps trying to score goals."
"I generally thought we played very well today, it was a lot closer to what we wanted than the score suggested," said Lillo.
"In the first half it was really hard to find that space in behind. The penalty could have changed everything but always thought the team was stable and continuously looking toward goal.
"From the second half I thought we really raised the rhythm and were able to win the ball back a lot quicker and find space from winning that ball back quicker. We were able to find Julian in space. I thought we could have scored more even before the first goal goes in."
Lillo also explained Foden's absence from the starting line-up. "Phil had some problems with his stomach and was not feeling in good condition. We have such a good squad and could see that he was not feeling well. So we used the squad."
Asked if he was enjoying the experience of being 'the main man' once again, he replied: "Not at all. I much prefer being with Pep and especially when it is a question of health. I don't enjoy this at all."
"I am pleased with the performance. You need a perfect performance to beat them. We got punished for two situations where we should have done better.
"We have lost a point but we will focus on the performance. We are still compromised but game on game we have got better and better, we will keep improving.
"The crowd were first class from the beginning to the end. We are not going to change our approach. We are going to give everything in every game.
"Cameron is through the door, we are getting stronger."
Sheffield United host Lincoln City in their Carabao Cup second round tie on Wednesday night, kick-off 7.45pm. The Blades' next Premier League game is a home game against Everton on Saturday lunchtime, kick-off 12.30pm.
Manchester City have a double dose of London opponents up next, with Pep Guardiola's side hosting Fulham on Saturday at 3pm, before travelling to West Ham after the international break on September 16, kick-off also at 3pm.
