Man City 2-0 Sheffield United: Rodri and Julian Alvarez net in convincing win as Pep Guardiola’s men close to within two points of leaders Liverpool
There cannot be another team in the history of this sport that can simultaneously be described as a somewhat shambolic team that has not lost on its home field for an entire calendar year. In the meantime, they were crowned world champions.
The Etihad Stadium felt reflective, about what had come before and what could be on the horizon.
They paraded the five trophies, an unprecedented level of dominance in this country, at the start of an afternoon ultimately run by Rodri. Which, given his personal achievements in 2023, felt like a fitting tribute to the past year as they waved goodbye to the most successful 12 months of any club.
This was easy going, Sheffield United submitted as so many others do, and that's why gold-badged Manchester City will take comfort after three straight draws at home before becoming world champions in Saudi Arabia. They nearly broke their own record of 942 completed passes.
Reflective too, because of the emergence of Kevin De Bruyne – even as an unused substitute whose mere presence and gentle jogging along the touchline ignited something in this crowd.
Julian Alvarez took all three points for Man City with a goal in the second half
Alvarez tapped home from close range to give City some breathing space at the Etihad
Rodri scored City's opening goal just before fifteen minutes on Saturday
City wouldn't be two points behind Liverpool had their talisman played a role in recent months, and as the team enjoyed a coronation before kick-off, you wondered what heights they can climb now that the king is back – the only man who came close and challenged Colin Bell for that distinction.
After the warm-up, De Bruyne wore the look of a great leader as he came down the 18th fairway, gesturing casually towards the main stand as they stood to appreciate his brilliance.
There will have been quite a few games that De Bruyne would have opened on his own and Pep Guardiola knows City are on the mend there, which should fill him with considerable optimism.
To be so close to the leaders, after almost five months without the best midfielder in the world, is not a bad start to another title defense.
No one can take that title away from De Bruyne, but Rodri has done his best. Guardiola's metronome has added even more to his game, scoring many crucial goals. This will not be able to match Istanbul after 14 minutes, but City ended up against a low block that was intended to frustrate.
Anis Ben Slimane was tasked with getting to Rodri but allowed him to move around and once Spaniard Vinicius Souza got ahead and passed into Wes Foderingham's far bottom corner, the Blades faced an uphill battle. William Osula had a few presentable chances just before half-time, but Chris Wilder's side couldn't get a sniff. An evil mouse running amok on the grass seemed to bring Ederson's goal closer to trouble. “Finally,” said Guardiola. 'A clean slate.'
A first shutout in nine games, although City's wider home statistics are frightening. They had won every game here this year until the Liverpool draw at the end of November. Of the 30 games here, 27 were wins.
They have only conceded twenty goals, six of which have come in recent weeks. Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Arsenal are among those who have left with their tails between their legs. Much better teams than Sheffield United, who haven't scored against City since 1991.
Kevin De Bruyne was back on the bench and received a big welcome from the home fans
Phil Foden has made up for De Bruyne's absence, registering two assists on Saturday
“It felt like we played for about five hours,” Wilder said.
“When you walk out and see five trophies, you know who you're playing against. There are no negatives to this game. It's not a defeatist attitude, it's pragmatic.'
Will City now march on, as is so often the case once the new year rolls around?
It's hard to find a compelling reason why not, when muscle memory kicks in and becomes more and more important every week. In De Bruyne's absence they have seen Phil Foden step up again, fantastic again, blossoming centrally and every bit the big star they always knew he could be. Guardiola's dilemma is how to fit both he and De Bruyne into a team behind Erling Haaland once the Norwegian returns.
Pep Guardiola's side are still not at their best, but Erling Haaland will soon return from injury
City have struggled to keep a clean sheet this season, but Ederson has rarely been troubled by Sheffield United
How Foden darted between two defenders and created just enough space for young Oscar Bobb's sweet ball to clear four opponents provided the perfect glimpse of his technical importance.
Foden collected the Bobb pass, hit it against the back stick and Julian Alvarez tapped in just after the hour mark.
“Phil has an incredible ability to turn so quickly,” Rodri said. “He has this plasticity with the ball, he can turn so quickly.”
The chase is about to begin and City will be buoyed by the fact that Arsenal, who topped the table on Christmas Day, have not turned that base into a title since 1948.
Since then they have topped the tree five times over the festive period, last season being one of them, of course. We all know what happened then.