Man City unbeaten at home in 2023

Man City easily beat Sheffield 2-0 in round 20 of the Premier League, temporarily narrowing the gap with top-ranked Liverpool to two points.

The most successful year in Man City's history ended with a comfortable victory at the Etihad. Pep Guardiola's team did not lose a home game in 2023 and won five trophies, including the Champions League. The win over Sheffield also showed positive signs for the new year. Man City kept their first clean sheet in nine games and welcomed back Kevin De Bruyne after more than four months.

Rodri (number 16) celebrates the opening goal at Etihad Stadium on December 30. Photo: Reuters

The most exciting moment in the stands was not the goals. It was when De Bruyne warmed up on the touchline, in his first appearance in the squad after 27 games. According to coach Guardiola, the midfielder, who has just recovered from hamstring surgery, is expected to play in the FA Cup match against Huddersfield on January 7.

Without De Bruyne and Erling Haaland on the pitch, Man City were still too strong for Sheffield. The home team had 82% possession in each half and barely allowed their opponents to play the ball. Although they did not create many clear-cut chances, Man City felt they could get close if they wanted to. The home team had four shots on target in the match, scoring two goals in both halves.

Sheffield, who had fought back against Man City in the first leg and only succumbed to a late Rodri goal, were further demolished by Rodri in the return leg. The bottom team’s compact defence only held out until the 14th minute, when Rodri stole the ball in midfield, drove straight into the box and fired a cross-angle shot past goalkeeper Wes Foderingham.

The early goal made it easier for Man City to play. Playing a bit leisurely, the home team still created many storms in the visitors' goal, but the missed shots of Bernardo Silva, Kyle Walker and Jack Grealish kept the gap at only one goal after the first half. Man City even almost paid the price at the end of the half, when William Osula freely finished in the penalty area.

Accelerating in the second half, Guardiola's students got what they wanted in the 61st minute. Oscar Bobb sent the ball into the penalty area for Phil Foden to cross just in time, helping Julian Alvarez easily score. The Foden and Alvarez duo then had more chances, but were not careful, causing Man City to only win by two goals.

Alvarez celebrates scoring the winning goal in a 2-0 win over Sheffield. Photo: Sky

The 2-0 win puts Guardiola's men in third place with 40 points, two points behind leaders Liverpool and Aston Villa, who beat Burnley 3-2 thanks to Douglas Luiz's late penalty. City have a week off before playing Huddersfield in the FA Cup. The Premier League returns to the Etihad Stadium on January 14 when they face Newcastle.

Line-up

Man City: Ederson; Walker (Lewis 61), Akanji, Ake, Gvardiol, Rodrigo, Kovacic (Ruben Dias 61), Bernardo, Foden, Grealish (Bobb 51), Alvarez

Sheffield : Foderingham; Baldock, Trusty, Robinson; Thomas (Norrington-Davies 90), Bogle, Souza, Norwood; Slimane (Archer 67), Osula (Brewster 67), Brooks (Osborn 80).

Vy Anh

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