City 2 Sheffield United 0
Dec 29th 2019 att.54,512
Despite the win it was not the best of days for City. For once VAR did us a good turn over-ruling a Sheffield first half goal and then when City scored their first goal the assist by the referee went in favor of the sky blues. It was not a good first half with the visitors going close a few times as well as having a goal disallowed for offside by dear old VAR. As the referee did not touch the ball in the second half incident before it ran to De Bruyne who then set up Aguero to score his 10th league goal of the season - the goal stood despite the protests of the United players. If it had touched him it would have been a dropped ball. Fortunately for City it was only player hindrance! With so many games over the holiday period City were not at their very best and the loss at Wolves would not have helped. Despite having only ten men for most of that game City did well to lead two nil but defensive errors let in Wolves to sneak a winner. Anyway back to this game and it was a first league start for young Garcia and he did not let the side down. Zinchenko was back too after Mendy's major error in the Wolves game.
No it was a tough game against a Sheffield side that had not lost away from home this season.
City made a couple of changes - Zinchenko was in for Mendy and Garcia made his first league start in place of Otamendi
Bravo was in for the suspended Ederson
The visitors had quite a few fans who had managed to get over the Pennines
City manage to clear an early Sheffield corner
Another Sheffield United corner is cleared
A Robertson cross is headed by Mousset.......
.......fortunately just wide of the City goal - we are at home are we not!!!
At last we get down the other end and force a corner!
A shot from Mahrez is blocked
Fernandinho appeals at a corner but nothing given
The visitors clear a City corner
An effort by Mousset is blocked and Egan heads over at the corner
After 28 minutes a long ball from Fleck finds Mousset who scores.....
Zinchenko appeals for offside while the visiting fans go mad in the South Stand
For once the dreaded VAR goes in our favor! The goal is disallowed - hurrah!
Walker shoots into the third tier!
Besic makes a break - he looked offside!
...but lucky for City - he shoots into the side netting while the linesman pretends nothing has happened!
Zinchenko heads clear and it's soon half time
De Bruyne shoots over the bar early in the second half
On 52 minutes City have a bit of luck. Kevin gets the ball from Fleck and passes to Aguero who shoots past Henderson
The North Stand have something to cheer about at last
The ref has to prove he did not touch the ball - good old VAR
Kevin shoots but straight at the keeper
Bravo saves at the feet of Mousset
City appeal for a handball but a corner is given
Mahrez is fouled on the edge of the area
De Bruyne takes the free kick and the ball goes just wide
On 81 minutes Foden comes on for Aguero who has to go off the short way! eventually!
A minute later City break and Mahrez passes to De Bruyne.....
.....who cuts back and shoots past Henderson much to the delight of Aguero still walking back!
The North Stand and Aguero enjoy the moment
Aguero nips back on to congratulate Kevin
Stevens brings down Foden and is booked.
Oh dear Phil! Will Stockport be the same!
Foden has a shot which is pushed for a corner by the keeper
City manage to play out time and end with the three points - Phew!
team
Bravo 7: Walker 6.5, Garcia 7, Fernandinho 7, Zinchenko 7: Rodrigo 7, Benardo 7 (Gundogan):
Mahrez 7.5, De Bruyne 8 (Aguero) , Sterling 7 (Jesus) Aguero 7 (Foden)
