Sheffield United 0-1 Manchester City
by Harry De Cosemo
at Bramall Lane

KYLE WALKER grabbed the only goal against his former club as Manchester City beat Sheffield United 1-0 at Bramall Lane.

The scoreline rather flattered the home side, who had goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale to thank on a number of occasions and mustered just one shot on target throughout.

Pep Guardiola was happy with his team’s performance but admits he is concerned by a lack of goals.

“It was our third game in seven days, all of them away,” he said.

"We played a really good game with the tempo you need against Sheffield [United]. In the first half we created a lot of chances, we are already struggling to score goals.

“When you arrive in the second half at 1-0, anything can happen, especially with long balls.

"They had one clear chance in 90 minutes so that is good for us, in terms of the way we defended. But when we arrived in the final third, we were not clinical. Nine goals in five games is not enough, maybe one day we will change the dynamic.”

Ferran Torres deputised for absentees Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus up front for City, and was the first to test Ramsdale after eight minutes. His guided header from Joao Cancelo’s cross forced him into a decent save.

Sheffield United were trying to play direct into physical and aggressive strikers Rhian Brewster and Oli McBurnie, but the visitors soon threatened again. Rodri looked to utilise the windy conditions to his advantage with a strike from distance, stinging the palms of Ramsdale.

Moments later, Ramsdale denied Torres again, this time from point blank range after Raheem Sterling reached the byline. Riyad Mahrez then struck over. City were stepping it up and Sterling, in particular, looked menacing.

On 28 minutes, Walker broke the deadlock on his old stomping ground. His 30-yard drive took a slight deflection off Ben Osborn, which was enough to finally breach the home goal.

After the break, City continued to cause havoc from the byline. Walker almost turned creator for Kevin de Bruyne, but his effort whistled across goal and just wide of the post.

Mahrez forced another good stop from Ramsdale from a freekick as the hour mark approached. The hosts continued to hold on, but struggled to make Ederson work at the other end.

Substitute John Lundstram, who has been at the centre of a recent contract storm, squandered a chance to level for Sheffield United 20 minutes from time. He combined well with Sander Berge, but couldn’t keep his shot down.

Bernardo Silva pushed forward from the right late on, looking to clinch the game. Quick feet and a one-two with Mahrez unlocked the door, but he didn’t trouble Ramsdale, who held his strike well.

Chris Wilder criticised his team’s ability to hold onto the ball and insisted they had to be at their best to get anything from the game.

“You’ve got to play at the top of your ability to get anything from the games against Manchester City and Liverpool,” he said.

“If we keep turning the ball over in the manner that we did, first half and second half when we were in good positions, good players keep it away from you or counter attack on you. It is as simple as that.”