Manchester City 2, Sheffield United 0
Manchester City had VAR and a slice of luck from referee Chris Kavanagh to thank after they inflicted a first away defeat on Sheffield United this season.
Embed from Getty ImagesSergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne scored the goals as a tired looking City side overcame a challenging Blades side after VAR ruled out a an early United goal for offside and Kavanagh accidentally got in the way of a pass which was intercepted by City who broke the deadlock in the second half.
City fans were displeased with a soporific start but the Blades cut through the City defence with a sweeping crossfield pass by John Fleck releasing Lys Mousset who was clean through to score past Claudio Bravo but VAR ironically saved the Blues thanks to an offside call by Mousset who has narrowly in front of Eric Garcia after 29 minutes.
Aguero had given up the ball after claiming he was fouled as City tried to get the first shot on target in the game but the industrious Sheffield United side was unlucky to be behind after a goalless first half.
City switched things after the break, with Rodri dropping back into a three man defence to as City’s full backs were pushed up.
And they got their reward somewhat fortunately when referee Chris Kavanagh got in the way of a United pass allowing Kevin De Bruyne to take the loose ball and sweep it up to Sergio Aguero who scored from inside the box.
De Bruyne also forced Dean Henderson into a save as the indignant visiting fans railed at the unfairness of it and the Blades continued to attack.
City had appeals for a penalty for handball off John Egan turned down while De Bruyne went close before City effectively ended the game in the 82nd minute when De Bruyne started a move that ended with a through ball by Riyad Mahrez which gave the Belgian enough space to cut inside on his right foot and slot a second goal past Henderson.
The Blades made changes and substitute Billy Sharp header hit the post before rolling along the line and out in added time.
PLAYER RATINGS – Manchester City 2, Sheffield United 0
Claudio Bravo: 6. More involved in the second half in defending his area as the Blades attacked more.
Kyle Walker: 6. Some sloppiness in misplacing passes. Pushed upfield as a wing-back in the second half.
Eric Garcia: 7. First Premier League start for young defender who did well to keep Lys Mousset quiet and had a running battle with him, also looked at home, barking out orders to his fellow defenders.
Fernandinho: 7. Had to stretch a little to get the ball early on but looked good, especially after getting extra cover when Rodri dropped into defence with him.
Oleksandr Zinchenko: 6. Caught out when Lys Mousset had an early header which he cut wide from 6 yards. Played in midfield for much of the game with more freedom in the second half.
Rodrigo: 7. Economical in possession, delicious through ball to Riyad Mahrez whose shot was blocked. Dropped into defence in the second half and helped shore things up.
Kevin De Bruyne: 8. Struck up early understanding with Riyad Mahrez down the right and looked dangerous after slow start after laying on the ball for Sergio Aguero’s goal. Started the break that ended with his goal that ended the Sheffield United resistance.
Bernardo Silva: 6. Wasteful in midfield and looked tired. Replaced after fouling John Fleck as he looked to break.
Riyad Mahrez: 8. Great chance blocked on the line by John Egan. Moved deeper in the second half and created Kevin De Bruyne’s goal from a central position.
Raheem Sterling: 6. Looked increasingly unable to outpace the Sheffield United defence.
Sergio Aguero: 7. Quiet until the chance for a goal came along – he duly buried it. Withdrawn late on.
Ilkay Gundogan (on for Bernardo Silva 61): 6. Did a job in front of the defence.
Phil Foden (on for Sergio Aguero, 81): No time to mark
Gabriel Jesus (on for Raheem Sterling, 88): No time to mark
GOALS – Manchester City 2, Sheffield United 0
Man City 1, Sheffield Utd 0: 52. Kevin De Bruyne got the loose ball and threaded it through to Sergio Aguero who scored from 15 yards out.
Man City 2, Sheffield Utd 0: 82. Kevin De Bruyne cut inside and slotted past Dean Henderson after starting a break and getting the ball back off Riyad Mahrez to double City’s lead
MATCH STATS – Manchester City 2, Sheffield United 0
Man City: Bravo, Walker, Garcia, Fernandinho, Zinchenko, Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva (Gundogan 62), Mahrez, Sterling (Jesus 88), Aguero (Foden 81)
Goals: Aguero 52; De Bruyne 82
Man City Subs not used: Carson, Mendy, Cancelo, Otamendi
Booking: Bernardo Silva 59 (foul on John Fleck)
Sheffield United: Henderson, Basham, Egan, O’Connell, Baldock, Besic (McBurnie 75), Norwood, Fleck, Stevens, Robinson (McGoldrick 60), Mousset (Sharp 83)
Sheffield United Subs not used: Verrips, Freeman, Jagielka, Osborn
Booking: Stevens 85 (foul on Phil Foden)
Referee: Chris Kavanagh