Rodri saved City with a blistering strike three minutes later as Pep Guardiola’s side moved to the top of the table after a third successive victory. Photo Credit, Premiere League
Manchester City extended their perfect start to the Premier League season as Rodri sealed a dramatic 2-1 win against newly-promoted Sheffield United after Erling Haaland scored.
Haaland drove a first-half penalty kick against the post before his header put the reigning Premier League champions in front after the break at Bramall Lane.
City’s latest success was achieved without Guardiola, who was watching on television while he recuperates after back surgery in Barcelona.
The City boss was in constant contact with his assistant, Juanma Lillo, who took the reins at Bramall Lane and will also be in charge for the clash between the trebble-winning champions and West London side, Fulham, on Saturday.
Guardiola’s rehabilitation will have been aided by the knowledge that City can thrive in his absence.
Although the Spaniard achieved it from afar, it was a landmark victory for Guardiola, who now has 200 league wins with the blue half of Manchester in just 269 games, beating the previous Premier League record of 326 matches to reach that milestone set by Jose Mourinho in 2020.
For the first time since 2016, City have opened a season with three consecutive league wins in an ominous statement to their title rivals that last season’s treble triumph has not sated their appetite for success.
Writing by Julian Osamoto; Editing by Daniel Adejo and Tony Okerafor