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Manchester City stepped onto the field for the third round of the Premier League and secured another three points. The match seemed to be heading for a draw, but Rodri scored a stunning goal late in the game, ensuring a 2-1 victory over Sheffield United away from home. Haaland opened the scoring, and Bogle netted for the home team.
With this outcome, Guardiola’s team maintains its lead with nine points.
As expected, Manchester City dominated the initial 45 minutes, enjoying 83% of ball possession and producing 12 attempts. However, only three of those were on target, indicating a low conversion rate in their plays.
The highlight came at the 34th minute when a penalty was awarded to City due to Egan’s handball in Grealish’s crossing attempt. Haaland took the penalty, but his shot was poorly executed, hitting the left post of the goalkeeper.
Under the pressure to break the deadlock after missing the penalty, City entered the second half with sustained pressure. Haaland and Rodri both attempted, until the Norwegian found the path to the goal.
At the 17th minute, Grealish, notably involved in the match, received the ball on the left wing and, despite facing two markers, advanced towards the byline, delivering a perfect cross for the number 9 to rise above and head the ball into the net. During the celebration, a fan managed to join the players on the pitch and embraced the prolific striker.
The game gained excitement towards the end, starting from the 40th minute. Sheffield equalized through Bogle, after Walker attempted to clear the ball with a heel flick from within the box, inadvertently passing it to the opponent. In a quick exchange of passes, the right-back was ready to strike forcefully into the bottom right corner of Ederson’s goal.
Manchester City didn’t relent, and aware of their superiority, they sought the winning goal. In the 43rd minute of the second half, Rodri decided with a spectacular goal into the top right corner. In a cross attempt, Haaland couldn’t reach the ball in time, but on the opposite side, Walker made amends, touched the ball, and although Foden couldn’t control it, the number 16 was alert to strike powerfully on the first touch.