Sheffield United 1-2 Manchester City: Rodri thunderbolt seals win for City after Erling Haaland penalty miss

Rodri's goal a minute from time secured victory for Manchester City shortly after Jayden Bogle's strike seemed set to give Sheffield United their first point of the season.

Erling Haaland missed a penalty in the first half but opened the scoring just after the hour mark to seemingly send City on their way to victory at Bramall Lane.

The Norwegian striker had endured a game to forget before the goal, as his spot kick came back off the post, he missed the target with one glaring chance and saw Wes Foderingham also deny him with a fantastic stop.

Jack Grealish laid the ball on a plate for Haaland's goal, chipping to the far post where Haaland could just nod home.

An error from Sheffield-born Kyle Walker gifted United possession in the CIty area five minutes from time and the ball eventually found its way to substitute Bogle whose deflected effort flew into the far corner.

That sprung the champions into relentless attack and Walker made amends, getting to the by-line and pulling back for Rodri who blasted the ball into the top corner.

City stand atop the table with three wins from three, while The Blades lie fourth-bottom.

When they needed to produce their best they did so. That said the drop off in play after they took the lead was noticeable and allowed Sheffield United back into the game. Pep Guardiola is sure to mention this by whatever means he uses to brief the team after back surgery prevented him from being in the stadium. The purpose with which they took their opponents to task when put in a position of having to do so though was reminiscent of their last-day win over Aston Villa from two down on the last day of the 2021/22 season. They were just not going to let up until they went back in front. Their patient, high possession game is their hallmark and what wins them most games but when forced to play with added zeal and dare they are an exhilarating sight and so hard to stop.

Many of his team-mates were not quite at the top of their game and getting a little desperate when chances presented themselves in the final third. Grealish kept on doing what he has for the whole calendar year, toying with defences and creating chances for his team-mates. Eventually, his inch-perfect cross created an opportunity which couldn't be missed and City took the lead.

Sheffield United: Foderingham 8; Ahmedhodzic 6, Egan 5, Robinson 6; Baldock 5, Norwood 6, Vinicius Souza 5, Hamer 6, Osborn 6; Traore 6, Osula 5.

Subs: Larouci 6, Bogle 7, McBurnie 6, Basham 6

Manchester City: Ederson 6; Walker 6, Ake 6, Ruben Dias 7, Gvardiol 6; Rodri 7, Kovacic 7; Bernardo Silva 7, Alvarez 7, Grealish 8; Haaland 6.

Subs: Foden 6.

28' GREAT STOP FROM FODERINGHAM ! Haaland outmuscles Egan and though the home defender manages to block Haaland's shot it falls to his strike partner, but their 'keeper was quick off his line to save the shot from six yards out.

35' PENALTY! Grealish played in Alvarez who pulled back from the by-line towards Haaland. The ball then hit Egan's hand which was away from his body and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

36' HAALAND HITS THE POST! Foderingham went the wrong way but Haaland's shot bounces straight back off the post and to safety for the home side.

61' WONDERFUL STOP FROM FODERINGHAM! Kovacic slid a ball through to Haaland in the inside-left channel and the striker looked to dink the ball over Foderingham but the 'keeper raised his arm high to push away.

63' GOAL FOR CITY! And a goal for Haaland. It has been Grealish creating all the chances this half and he did, again dinking a cross over five United defenders and Haaland was there hanging in the air to head low into the net.

85' GOAL FOR BLADES! Sheffield United are level. This did not seem like it was coming. Walker gives the ball away, giving the ball to Traore and the ball eventually finds Bogle who shoots inside the far post.

90' GOAL FOR CITY! Walker lays the ball back for Rodri who bullets a shot into the top corner.