Manchester City climbed to the top of the Premier League standings with a 2-1 win against Sheffield United on Sunday, thanks to an 88th-minute goal from Rodri.
With the score at 1-1 and the time ticking down, the ball came to Phil Foden in the United area, and despite his lack of control, Rodri stepped in to force a half-volley into the top corner.
Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, was not on the pitch at Bramall Lane due to back surgery.
Despite seven minutes of additional time as the home side looked for an equaliser, Guardiola’s assistant manager Juanma Lillo got the job done.
Champions City are the only team with a flawless start to the season, with nine points, two more than West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Arsenal.
“I thought we played really well today.” “It was much closer to what we wanted than the score indicated,” Lillo added.
City attacker Erling Haaland was awarded a penalty for handball in the first half, but his penalty shot struck the post.
But the Norwegian made apologies soon after the hour mark, scoring with a close-range header from Jack Grealish’s cross.
“If the penalty had been imposed, it could have changed everything.” “We noticed the team was very stable and focused on the goal,” Lillo remarked.
“We really raised the rhythm in the second half, and we were able to win the ball back a lot quicker.” We were able to take advantage of the additional openings generated by gaining the ball back faster… We may have scored more before the first.”
United levelled in the 85th minute, capitalising on a defensive blunder caused by Kyle Walker’s attempted backheel clearance, and Jayden Bogle struck an angled drive through the throng that beat City keeper Ederson.
Just as United seemed to have earned their first point since returning to the Premier League, Rodri blasted home the game-winning goal, which Walker set up against his old team.
United are 17th in the table, with no points from three games, but they were praised off the field for their performance against last season’s triple winners.
“Listen, I’d rather have the point than any pats on the back.” To defeat City, you have to play the ideal game,” Heckingbottom joked.
“Even though City had a lot of the ball, we felt like we had some control over where it was… It’s like rubbing salt in the wounds.”
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