SUB SERGIO IS CITY’S SAVIOUR
Aguero quick to make his mark for Pep
There was something striking this week when Pep Guardiola spoke about the upcoming ‘knockout games’ and how progression in cup competitions becomes tougher when you have no winning rhythm.
Fulham and Manchester United are on the immediate horizon in the domestic cups but it is fair to assume the Manchester City manager was looking ahead to the
Champions League, with real Madrid only a month away.
City might have little to play for in the Premier League, yet Guardiola hopes nights and performances like this one prepare them for the bigger challenges.
That rhythm comes with winning games but also how individuals and the collective are managed. The recent differing formations, includng another back three in this victory at Sheffield United, offer an indication that they want to perfect tactical flexibility in readiness for what lies ahead.
Following five months out with a knee injury, Aymeric Laporte’s inclusion from the start, with no intention of asking him to finish the night, felt significant. So did putting Sergio Aguero on the bench, although City had to call upon their greatest goalscorer to make sure they left Bramall Lane with the points. Just under six minutes elapsed between Aguero’s 67th-minute introduction and his winner.
What also provided Guardiola with a tonic is how the champions closed this out against a gallant Chris Wilder team. That Lys Mousset’s backheel was Sheffield United’s only shot on target was to their immense credit.
City worked hard for this. South Yorkshire had its trademark snarl, and a bite that unnerves this division’s most established teams, and it was no surprise that Laporte was welcomed back with interest.
Mo Besic decided to attempt the long jump at Laporte’s left ankle, connecting once the ball had gone and leaving him in a heap.
Laporte had a busy evening, doing the dirty work and regularly enjoying the verbal jousts he had so obviously missed for so long.
‘The doctor said he was ready, he didn’t have rhythm but you get rhythm by playing, not in training,’ Guardiola said. ‘Incredible. We missed him a lot, he has something we don’t have in the squad. he has all the attributes and is the best left-sided defender in the world.’
City were sharp going forward but were wasteful in front of goal. Gabriel Jesus missed his third penalty in five attempts in the league, Dean henderson producing a smart stop to a chorus of ‘england’s No 1’, after Chris Basham had tripped riyad Mahrez.
‘I know there is a pecking order but those england goalkeepers must be really good if they’re getting in ahead of him,’ said
Wilder, whose club are in talks with Manchester United about keeping him next season. ‘he’s been outstanding for me.’
Guardiola has watched his players squander three penalties this term. Is it a problem? ‘Definitely,’ he said. ‘In knockout stages, it is so important. It can be the difference.’ Another reference to the cups, particularly with Aguero spurning a penalty at Tottenham in last year’s Champions League.
No player in Premier League history has a worse penalty record than Jesus, and henderson has saved seven of the 13 he has faced.
henderson was the chief reason why the Blades were at parity for so long. he stopped Nicolas Otamendi’s scissor kick with his legs and prevented raheem Sterling from sweeping in following a devastating counter-attack.
Sheffield United were holding City at arm’s length, but Guardiola’s irritation turned with 17 minutes remaining, when Kevin De Bruyne sliced home defenders in two. A predatory Aguero pounced. SHEFFIELD UNITED (3-5-2): HENDERSON 9; Basham 6.5 (Robinson 78min), Egan 7, O’Connell 7; Baldock 7, Besic 6.5 (Lundstram 78), Norwood 8, Fleck 7, Stevens 7; Sharp 6 (Mousset 60, 6.5), McBurnie 7. Subs not used: Verrips, Jagielka, Freeman, Osborn. Booked: Besic, Norwood, Fleck, McBurnie. Manager: Chris Wilder 7. MANCHESTER CITY (3-4-2-1): Ederson 6; Fernandinho 7, Otamendi 6.5, Laporte 8 (Garcia 78); Walker 7, Rodri 7.5, De Bruyne 8, Zinchenko 6.5; Mahrez 7.5, Sterling 6.5 (B Silva 90); Jesus 5 (Aguero 67, 8). Subs not used: Bravo, Gundogan, Cancelo, Foden. Scorer: Aguero 73. Booked: Fernandinho, Rodri, Aguero. Manager: Pep Guardiola 7. Referee: Lee Mason 6. Attendance: 31,825.