Sheffield United 0-1 Manchester City: Kyle Walker returns to haunt blunt Blades
A dominate performance, if not scoreline, saw Manchester City ease to three points at still winless Sheffield United, thanks to a 1-0 victory.
Kyle Walker, both a former Sheffield United player and ballboy, claimed the only goal of the game, to give City their third league win of the campaign to move onto 11 points, eight days before they host champions Liverpool.
Pep Guardiola's side dominated the first half in heavy rain at Bramall Lane, with Ferran Torres, Aymeric Laporte and Rodrigo all going close in the first quarter, before Walker's 30-yard pile driver flashed passed a stranded Aaron Ramsdale.
The Blades keeper was arguably man of the match, making seven fine saves as City peppered his goal throughout the contest.
City were slower and less creative in the second period, which allowed the home side to briefly rally midway through, but they never truly threaten an equalising goal, mustering just one shot on target in the 90 minutes, compared to the visitors' 12 in total and eight on target.
This latest defeat condemns the Blades to their worst start to a season since 1975, while Chris Wilder's men have not tasted victory since July 11, 11 league games ago, when they turned over Chelsea 3-0.
City were without the injured Sergio Aguero, so Torres lead the line and the Spaniard's early close range header, from a João Cancelo cross, forced Ramsdale into a quick reaction diving save to his left.
City continued to dominate as Laporte scuffed a half volley from a corner wide, with the goal at his mercy, before Ramsdale made another two vital saves. First he tipped Rodrigo's stunning long range effort over the bar, then made a big block right on his line from a Torres toe poke.
So it was no surprise that City finally broke the deadlock before the 30 minute mark. Captain Kevin De Bruyne, making his first league start since October 3, sprayed a 25-yard pass from the left wing to find the free Walker on the right of the area. The defender had all the time in the world to pick his spot in the bottom left corner as his fizzing shot sped along the wet surface to leave Ramsdale with no chance.
Torres, who could have had a first half hat-trick, fired wide of the left upright just before the break, while De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez both had 25 yard free-kicks saved by a busy Ramsdale either side of half-time.
Ederson, a spectator in the City goal for the majority of the match, was finally called into action in the 67th minute, diving down bravely to intercept a Berge cross five yards out before Oliver McBurnie could pounce.
That lifted the home side and moments later Berge broke down the right again, squaring the ball back from the byline to sub John Lundstram who flashed his shot over the bar from 12 yards out.
The introduction of Phil Foden helped the Manchester side quickly regain control as Raheem Sterling was blocked virtually on the line by Ramsdale, and minutes later the Blades number one reacted quickly to save Bernardo Silva's shot from the middle of the box.
City have not lost since their shock 5-2 defeat to Leicester on September 27, so go into their vital clash with Liverpool a week on Sunday in confident mood.
Meanwhile Wilder's side head to Stamford Bridge next, the venue of their last victory, before facing West Ham and West Brom.
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