Early Jesus goal enough as Man City beat Sheff Utd for 12th successive win

Gabriel Jesus, Phil Foden, Ilkay Gundogan Man CityGabriel Jesus, Phil Foden, Ilkay Gundogan Man City

Gabriel Jesus’ early goal proved enough as Manchester City edged past Sheffield United 1-0, despite dominating at the Etihad Stadium.

City grabbed the lead through Jesus after nine minutes.

The Brazilian dug the ball out from under his feet and thumped in from close range after Ferran Torres had done well to shake off a challenge and keep the ball alive on the right.

Pep Guardiola‘s men had further chances to equalise before half time but could not convert.

In the second half, the Blades remained in the contest while City’s Phil Foden came close with an effort.

But the hosts came through with the victory to make it 12 wins in a row in all competitions.

 

It was their eighth successive win in the Premier League and maintained their position at the top. With 11 clean sheets in their last 13 games, they are starting to look formidable, even without star players such as Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero.

In a further sign of their depth, it also came after Guardiola made five changes from the side that thrashed West Brom 5-0 on Tuesday.

Raheem Sterling and in-form defenders John Stones and Joao Cancelo were among the substitutes. Aymeric Laporte, fit again after injury, returned and looked imposing.

The pattern for the game was soon established as City took control of possession and patiently looked to carve out chances.

They found a way through after just nine minutes as Torres regained his footing to shake off a challenge near the byline and wriggled through the area to pull back for Jesus.

The Brazilian got the ball trapped under his feet but, before Aaron Ramsdale could react, he quickly adjusted himself and thumped past the keeper from close range.

Ordinarily such an early blow could sap energy from a struggling side but, as they showed at Old Trafford, the Blades are made of sterner stuff.

The visitors refused to allow the setback to disrupt their game plan and they worked hard to prevent City creating further opportunities.

Jesus failed to control a Fernandinho ball from one opening, Torres had a cross cut out and Laporte had a shot blocked as City were thwarted.

Bernardo Silva was almost gifted a chance after a weak header from Ethan Ampadu but he put his own header tamely into the arms of Ramsdale.

Sheff Utd see little possession

The problem for Sheffield United was that they saw little of the ball themselves. Rhian Brewster, still awaiting his first goal for the club, shot at Ederson on the turn but otherwise they threatened little in the first half.

Jayden Bogle looked one of their livelier players but he spurned an opening after City failed to clear early in the second period.

There was a lengthy delay after a clash of heads between Foden and John Lundstram but both were able to continue.

Foden was involved as City created one of their best chances of the game in the 72nd minute, deftly cushioning a pass to tee up Oleksandr Zinchenko outside the area after a good break by Silva. Zinchenko struck his shot firmly but Ramsdale saved well. The keeper also pushed over Laporte’s header from the resulting corner.

City had that late moment of alarm when Billy Sharp chested down for Fleck after 86 minutes but his well-struck effort flew just wide. Oliver Norwood had a shot blocked as City held on and almost added a second in injury time as Ramsdale saved from Jesus.