The midfielder, Rodri, has etched his name into Manchester City’s history with his winning goal in the Champions League final, and it seems this could be the start of a trend. Just when it appeared that City might drop points at Bramall Lane, Rodri stepped up and scored the winner, making them the only team in the Premier League to have won all of their opening three games.

Rodri, who was the matchwinner in Istanbul, has expressed his desire to contribute more goals to his game. With the addition of Mateo Kovacic and a defender moving up into midfield, he might have the freedom to do just that. His performance against Sheffield United was no fluke; he had already scored or assisted in three of City’s six goals in their opening four fixtures.

This late winner makes it four goals in eight games for Rodri, highlighting that while there may be room for improvement in the team’s performances, they have achieved excellent results so far. The fact that they won’t have to face Sheffield United again for at least another season adds an extra layer of relief.

The game against Sheffield United was a typical encounter for this fixture, with the home side having little possession but displaying determination to deny easy goals to the Premier League champions. Manchester City had to work hard for their win, even without the constant guidance of manager Pep Guardiola, who is sidelined due to a back injury that required surgery. Assistant coach Juanma Lillo played a more passive role, mostly watching from the sidelines rather than actively managing the team.

Kyle Walker, who captained the team against his former club, took charge during an injury break in the first half, offering instructions to Ruben Dias, Rodri, and Mateo Kovacic as they attempted to break down Sheffield’s defense.

The match saw moments of excellence, including Erling Haaland’s efforts, but also a missed penalty. Julian Alvarez’s cutback for Haaland resulted in a handball by John Egan, leading to a penalty decision. However, Haaland’s spot-kick hit the inside of the post and stayed out, leaving City to regroup.

Despite an unconvincing performance in attack, Manchester City displayed defensive solidity, which is a significant improvement from previous seasons. Even with several defensive players unavailable, the City defense looked robust, frustrating the home side’s attempts to score.

The game showed that City can handle situations where they face a determined underdog with a crowd in their favor. The transformation in the team’s performance has been evident. The addition of Josko Gvardiol is still a work in progress, but his abilities are promising.

What stands out is the lack of danger around the City defense. When the defense is as solid as it has been, it wears down opponents and gives City confidence that they can keep pressing for a goal while not compromising at the back.

City’s quality came through in the second half, with a goal from Haaland. The resistance from Sheffield United eventually cracked, but City faced some challenges, including mistakes in dead-ball routines. Despite this, Jack Grealish’s precise cross allowed Haaland to score with a header.

However, City’s defense faltered briefly, conceding a goal from Sheffield United. Ederson struggled to deal with a cross, and the home side took advantage. While City missed a chance to seal the game, Rodri once again emerged as the hero with his late winner.

Rodri’s goal against Sheffield United suggests that he may become a significant goal-scoring threat for City this season.