Midfielder Rodri scored a stunning 88th minute winner as Manchester City left it late to beat Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. The result means that the defending champions are the only team left with a 100% record at the end of Game Week 3 after Arsenal and Brighton dropped points against Fulham and West Ham respectively.
City, as you’d expect, dominated possession and shots, but struggled to find a way past Wes Foderingham in the Sheffield United goal. The keeper made fine saves to deny the likes of Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland, and it took City 63 minutes to break the deadlock, with a header from Haaland finally beating the 32-year-old.
The visitors could’ve gone ahead in the first half had the Norwegian not fluffed his lines from the penalty spot. His spot kick, awarded after John Egan had been penalised for handball, hit the post.
United were given a route back into the game thanks to a defensive error from Kyle Walker (himself a boyhood Sheff Utd fan by the way). He attempted a cheeky back heel in his own box and gave away possession, and from the resulting move, substitute Jayden Bogle found the back of the net to make it 1-1 in the 85th minute.
However City are defending champions for a reason and less than three minutes later, were back ahead. Walker dispossessed Larouci and the ball found its way to Rodri, who smashed a stunning half-volley into the top corner. It was a fantastic goal, and again showed why well known sportsbook 32Red and others have the Citizens as strong favourites to retain their title- they know how to win the big moments. Rodri, as you might remember, was also the scorer of the goal against Inter Milan that gave City their first CL title last season.
City’s victory also means that all three promoted sides this season- Burnley, SUFC and Luton, are yet to manage a win between them despite having already played seven games so far (see table below). That Bogle goal was also the first time Ederson has been beaten in the league this season, and it was a pretty avoidable goal (caused by a City mistake rather than an opposition one), which shows how resolute and difficult to penetrate their defence has become these days.
Elsewhere in the league, Arsenal came from behind to lead Fulham 2-1 thanks to Fabio Vieira’s stunning cameo off the bench, but they conceded a late equaliser to Joao Palhinha and allowed the Cottagers to take home a point. Brighton had nearly 80% of the ball, but were upset 3-1 by West Ham, who are now second in the league standings behind City. It was a baffling result on the South Coast, but despite the absence of the suspended Nayef Aguerd, West Ham defended doggedly, and aided by the fine Alphonse Areola in goal, stunned Roberto de Zerbi’s high flying side. Their goals- especially the ones from Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio, were also top-drawer ones- worthy of winning any league game.
