Yahoo Sports Manchester City primed for another title tilt to make rivals regret missed opportunity
Time will tell whether Manchester City’s rivals live to regret their failure to open up more of a gap on the champions in recent weeks.
City came into this having mustered just 10 points from their previous seven league outings and having also seen their game against Brentford postponed because of their involvement in the Club World Cup. It was a wobble that presented the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal with an opportunity to put some daylight between themselves and City but one they have not taken advantage of.
It could yet prove costly during the second half of the campaign, particularly if Pep Guardiola’s side go on one of those long winning streaks that have become their calling card. Liverpool could have led City by 10 points but their lead is just two after this comfortable victory over Sheffield United, courtesy of goals by Rodri and Julian Alvarez, ensured the English, European and world champions ended their annus mirabilis unbeaten at home.
An indifferent end to an otherwise remarkable 2023 could have been damaging for City than it has ultimately proven and Guardiola, for one, will be delighted his team are in the thick of it and so well positioned despite those four draws to Chelsea, Spurs, Liverpool and Crystal Palace and defeat by Aston Villa. Guardiola was not happy with what he saw from City in the opening period, save for Rodri’s 14th-minute goal.
For all their possession, United did not look under too much duress but the substitution of Jack Grealish seven minutes after the restart and introduction of the Norwegian youngster Oscar Bobb gave City fresh impetus. Within nine minutes, they were 2-0 up, Bobb spotting Phil Foden’s run and weaving a sublime 10-yard pass in between three United bodies into the feet of his team-mate near the left byline, from where Foden squared for Alvarez to tap in at the bottom post. It was clear almost from the start that Grealish was not in the best of head spaces after the robbery on his home on Boxing Day.
There were several careless passes and a general reluctance to beat a man and City were all the better for Bobb’s arrival, particularly with United defending with such a low block and great numbers behind the ball. Like Foden, who excelled in a central role, and Bernardo, Bobb is adept at finding holes and space where there does not look to be any and the tempo of City’s play went up several notches with him on the pitch.
City may have been missing their more famous Norwegian, Erling Haaland, through injury but Bobb offered another vivid showcase of his own talent. City have won the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, European Super Cup and Club World Cup this year and all five trophies were paraded on plinths on the pitch before kick-off while huge banners displaying the huge silverware haul were unfurled in the east stand.
For Chris Wilder’s inexperienced side, it was a reminder of what they were up against. “You walk out and see five trophies there and it hits home who you’re playing,” the United manager said. Wilder joked afterwards that it “felt like we played football for about five hours there”.
But the league’s bottom club far from disgraced themselves and if they can show that same organisation, concentration and work ethic going forward the new year should bring a few more rewards, even if their situation – seven points adrift of safety – already looks precarious. Their best chance fell to William Osula late in the first half but his goalbound shot was blocked by Manuel Akanji.
City took the lead when Foden laid off Akanji’s pass to Rodri. Sheffield United backed and backed off the Spain midfielder as he drove forward and paid the price, with Rodri directing a low, accurate shot into the bottom corner from the 18 yard line. Rodri, along with Foden and Bobb, were City’s best players on the day although the biggest cheer was reserved for Kevin De Bruyne.
The Belgium midfielder was in the matchday squad for the first time since rupturing a hamstring on the opening day of the season against Burnley in August. And although he was not introduced by Guardiola, the Etihad rose to its feet and erupted into chants of “Oh Kevin De Bruyne” when he warmed up for the first time in the second half. His return should only make City stronger in the second half of the season.
Almost as pleasing as the result for Guardiola was a first clean sheet in the league since Oct 29 and back-to-back league wins for the first time since early last month. This result also means they have gone 28 matches unbeaten at the Etihad in 2023, all bar three of which they won. Those draws immediately predated this win, which underlined its importance after slip-ups against Liverpool, Spurs and Palace. City’s rivals will just have to hope there are more blips to come from the champions.
