Manchester City succeeded where rivals Manchester United failed on Wednesday evening as they recorded a 1-0 win over Sheffield United to extend their lead at the Premier League summit.
City led inside the opening 10 minutes, Ferran Torres clambering over challenges from Ethan Ampadu and Jayden Bogle to pick out Gabriel Jesus, who slammed home from close range.
When your team makes two foul throws in one half of football... ?#MCISHU pic.twitter.com/s5VPEf0Y3S
— 90min (@90min_Football) January 30, 2021
Pep Guardiola's side dominated possession but it was by no means a sparkling performance as they came up against a resolute Sheffield United. John Fleck saw a half volley flash wide in the final 10 minutes but the Blades otherwise rarely threatened as City saw out the victory.
Let's get into some player ratings.
Manchester City
1. Goalkeepers & Defenders
Ederson (GK) - 6/10 - Just had the one comfortable save to make as Sheffield United rarely threatened.
Kyle Walker (RB) - 6/10 - Not a lot asked of him defensively until the final 10 minutes. Got up and down the right flank diligently.
Aymeric Laporte (CB) - 6/10 - Brought a decent save out of Ramsdale with a standing header from a corner in the second half. A comfortable afternoon defensively, cool in possession.
Ruben Dias (CB) - 7/10 - So assured defensively and composed on the ball, tidying up effortlessly at the back and bringing the ball out confidently from defence.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB) - 7/10 - A classic Manchester City full-back performance; occupied wide areas, drifted into central midfield, kept it short and simple in possession, whipped in a couple of dangerous crosses and tracked back dutifully.
2. Midfielders
Fernandinho (DCM) - 8/10 - An absolute man mountain in midfield; broke up play with his intelligence and reading of the game and sprayed passes without breaking a sweat.
Ilkay Gundogan (CM) - 7/10 - Brought so much energy and intensity to the City midfield , rarely giving the Blades a moment's rest with his probing runs and harrying when out of possession. So classy on the ball.
Bernardo Silva (CM) - 6/10 - Was he playing in central midfield? Kind of, in addition to as a right winger and a false nine. Tidy and energetic.
3. Forwards
Ferran Torres (RW) - 7/10 - Danced through the Sheffield United backline inside the opening 10 minutes to tee up Jesus for City's opener.
Gabriel Jesus (ST) - 7/10 - Opened the scoring after nine minutes, sorting his feet out before slamming home from close range.
Phil Foden (LW) - 7/10 - Typically lively and efficient in possession, the ball sticking to him like glue. Somewhat wasteful from set pieces.
4. Substitutes
Rodri - N/A
Sheffield United
5. Goalkeeper & Defenders
Aaron Ramsdale (GK) - 6/10 - Made a good, stretching save to palm away a second half Zinchenko effort, followed by a reaction save to deny Laporte from a corner. Made a fantastic stop to keep out Jesus in stoppage time.
Chris Basham (CB) - 5/10 - Completely lost sight of Jesus, inexplicably stepping up and away from him in the build up to City's opener.
John Egan (CB) - 6/10 - Put in a big defensive shift and won plenty in the air as - despite all their possession - the City goal tally remained at just one.
Ethan Ampadu (CB) - 5/10 - Mistimed a header before allowing Torres to skip past him in the build up to City taking the lead.
6. Wing-Backs & Midfielders
George Baldock (RWB) - 6/10 - Pinned back in his own half for much of the game with Zinchenko playing very high and rarely had the opportunity to get forward.
John Lundstram (CM) - 6/10 - A dogged, hard working, all-action performance - but still spent much of the game chasing shadows.
Oliver Norwood (CM) - 5/10 - Didn't see as much of the ball as he did on Wednesday evening, his role largely restricted to chasing the City midfield.
John Fleck (CM) - 5/10 - Hardly given a moment to think on the ball, so relentless were the City midfield. Flashed a terrific half volley narrowly wide as the clock ticked down - and really came alive in the final 10 minutes.
Jayden Bogle (LWB) - 5/10 - Allowed Torres to wriggle past him far too easily in the build up to City's opener.
7. Forwards
Oliver Burke (ST) - 6/10 - Turned in a tireless performance and caused the City backline a few problems with his pace in behind - but the Blades were unable to take advantage of this.
Rhian Brewster (ST) - 5/10 - Forced to feed off scraps as the Blades rarely ventured into the City half. Replaced just after the hour mark.
8. Substitutes
David McGoldrick - 6/10
Billy Sharp - 6/10
Oli McBurnie - 5/10
Source : 90min