Rodri inspires Manchester City as victory over Sheffield United caps incredible 2023

city ​​of manchester ended the most successful year in the club's history on a winning note after achieving a Routine 2-0 victory over Sheffield United at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

The treble winners added the Club World Cup to their 2023 trophy case after beating the Copa Libertadores champion fluminense last week. And now they are back in the fight for their sixth league title under Guardiola, after achieving consecutive victories in the first division for the first time since November.

City dominated from the first minute and enjoyed complete control of the ball, accumulating 85 percent possession in the first exchanges without disturbing. Wes Foderingham in the Blades' goal.

even without Erling Haaland,City They lacked bite in attack Jack Grealish and Julián Álvarez struggled to break the tenacious visitor defense.

That was until Rodri He took a step forward and took matters into his own hands to score his fourth goal of the national campaign. Rushing from deep, the Spanish international took advantage of a lay-off from Phil Foden and neatly struck the ball over the sliding challenge of a United player.

Rodri shows his class

With only a few options left, Rodri He was invited to keep running and decided to go for goal, carefully passing his low effort into the bottom corner. City a well deserved lead in the 14th minute.

Chris Wilder The men posed a threat on the counterattack and goal line technology could well have been used if Ederson I had not been attentive to a deep center of Jayden Boglebut the Brazilian showed a sure pair of hands and kept him out.

The champions continued to attack the rival goal and got their just reward at the hour mark. Substitute Oscar Bobb combined with Foden and after the playmaker arrived in the area, he selflessly prepared Alvarez, who took advantage of the goal from close range to double their advantage.

With four consecutive victories in all competitions, City They have shown that they can still win without Haaland's goalsalthough they will be much better when the Norwegian talisman finally returns to full fitness.

But once again, he was the main man Rodri who demonstrated that it is the only irreplaceable component in Guardiola's winning machine, producing an inspiring performance that has gone 49 games without defeat for the former Atlético player in the sky blue shirt.