Manchester City continued their flawless start to the Premier League season by securing a dramatic 2-1 victory against Sheffield United. Rodri’s decisive strike sealed the win after Erling Haaland, despite scoring a goal, missed a penalty for the reigning champions in Sunday’s match.
In the first half, Haaland’s penalty struck the post, but he later redeemed himself with a header that gave City the lead after halftime at Bramall Lane. A surprise equalizer came from Jayden Bogle for Sheffield United, leveling the score against the run of play with only five minutes left.
City, however, quickly recovered from the setback. Rodri’s powerful shot found the back of the net just three minutes later, rescuing the victory for Pep Guardiola’s team. This triumph propelled City to the top of the league standings after securing their third consecutive win this season.
Notably, Guardiola observed the game from afar due to his ongoing rehabilitation following back surgery in Barcelona. His assistant, Juanma Lillo, took charge during Guardiola’s absence and will continue to lead the team in the upcoming match against Fulham.
Guardiola’s absence did not hinder City’s success, as they demonstrated their ability to thrive independently. This victory held significant importance for Guardiola, marking his 200th league win with City in just 269 games. This milestone surpassed the previous Premier League record set by Jose Mourinho in 2020, achieved in 326 matches.
City’s impressive start to the season, marked by three consecutive league wins, sent a strong message to their title competitors. The team’s hunger for success remains undiminished despite their treble triumph in the previous season.
In the match, Haaland had a mixed performance. He missed a penalty for the first time in the Premier League, despite having successfully converted his previous seven penalties. His struggles continued as he missed several other opportunities, including a close-range chip saved by the opposing goalkeeper.
Ultimately, Haaland managed to find the back of the net in the 63rd minute, heading in his third goal of the season from a cross by Jack Grealish. However, a late equalizer by Bogle for Sheffield United added suspense to the match. City responded swiftly, with Rodri’s thunderous strike securing their victory.
In another fixture, Aston Villa defeated Burnley 3-1, with Matty Cash scoring twice to extend Villa’s impressive goal-scoring streak under Unai Emery. Burnley’s Lyle Foster scored, becoming the first South African to net a Premier League goal since 2013.
Later that day, Newcastle and Liverpool faced off at St James’ Park in a highly anticipated clash between two teams with aspirations for the title.
