Manchester City 2, Sheffield United 0
Rodri and Julian Alvarez scored the goals that condemned Sheffield United to defeat at the Etihad Stadium against World Champions Manchester City.
The result puts City into third place having gone through 2023 without losing a single game at the Etihad Stadium.
Phil Foden set up both goals as he helped run the game from a central midfield role on an afternoon when Kevin De Bruyne returned to the City bench after 141 days out and City managed to keep a rare clean sheet.
PLAYER RATINGS – Manchester City 2, Sheffield United 0
Ederson: 7. Great flying save to catch William Osula’s header off a corner and had to collect Jayden Bogle’s shot too.
Kyle Walker: 6. Played up against the visitor’s defence and not afraid of a pot shot – one shot went narrowly wide from 25 yards – and a cross into the box.
Manuel Akanji: 7. Blocked huge chance from William Osula. Sat higher up after second half changes Osula out of the team.
Nathan Ake: 7. Had a battle on against the very quick William Osula.
Josko Gvardiol: 6. Not much to challenge him at left back but with his flank being targeted by Sheffield United he had to stay high. Blocked a late shot by Jayden Bogle.
Mateo Kovacic: 6. Lost the ball and got a booking after he hared back after William Osula who was breaking with the ball.
Rodri: 8. Scored the opening goal after being allowed to run with the ball into the Sheffield United box. Set up Phil Foden with a great ball over the top which should have been converted. Ran midfield.
Bernardo Silva: 7. Great movement and balls into the box from the right.
Phil Foden: 8. Given closer attention in his central midfield role. Picked some great passes out and put himself in great forward positions to get the ball without adding to City’s goal tally. Fluffed a great one-on-one chance as United defenders got back to help Wes Foderingham out. Had another shot spilled by Foderingham.
Jack Grealish: 6. Attracted fouls as City tried to piece together a path through Sheffield United’s low block – had a shot saved by Wes Foderingham. Taken off early in the second half.
Julian Alvarez: 7. Early shot flashed past the back post and a header just wide. Easy tap-in after slick City move in second half. Could have had a second goal as Wes Foderingham was casual with a backpass and charged down his attempted clearance which flew just wide.
Oscar Bobb (on for Jack Grealish, 52): 7. Superb pre-assist to carve open Sheffield United to allow Phil Foden to find Julian Alvarez for City’s second goal. Shot charged down by Jayden Bogle and looked impressive during City dominance.
Ruben Dias (on for Kyle Walker, 68): 6. Signalled a change to the team. Steady at the back and defended well to keep clean sheet.
Rico Lewis (on for Mateo Kovacic, 68): 6. Inverting from right back.
GOALS – Manchester City 2, Sheffield United 0
Man City 1, Sheffield United 0: 14. Rodri was allowed space to run into the Sheffield United box and pick his spot after he picked up the loose ball following a tackle on Phil Foden in midfield.
Man City 2, Sheffield United 0: 61. Oscar Bobb threaded the ball through a forest of Sheffield United legs where Phil Foden took it, turned, and crossed for Julian Alvarez to tap in from 3 yards out
MATCH STATS – Manchester City 2, Sheffield United 0
Man City: Ederson, Walker (C) (Dias 68), Akanji, Ake, Gvardiol, Kovacic (Lewis 68), Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Foden, Grealish (Bobb 52), Alvarez
Man City Subs: Ortega, Phillips, De Bruyne, Gomez, Nunes, Hamilton
Booked: Kovacic 43 (foul on William Osula)
Manager Booking: Pep Guardiola 38 (dissent)
Goals: Rodri 14; Alvarez 61
Sheffield United: Foderingham, Baldock, Robinson (C), Trusty, Bogle, Vinicius Souza, Norwood, Thomas (Norrington-Davies 90), Ben Slimane (Brewster 67), Brooks (Osborn 80), Osula (Archer 67)
Sheffield United Subs: Davies, Brewster, McBurnie, Archer, Traore, Larouci, Seriki
Booking: Bogle 89 (foul on Nathan Ake)
Referee: David Coote