Result: Sheffield United 0-1 Manchester City
Date: 21 January 2020
Venue: Bramall Lane
Sergio Aguero came off the bench to net the winning goal as Manchester City bounced back at Sheffield United on Tuesday evening.
Man City manager Pep Guardiola retained only four players from the draw against Crystal Palace in Ederson, Fernandinho, Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne while defender Aymeric Laporte returned from a long-term injury.
City came close to opening the scoring after 19 minutes wgenr Sterling won possesion high up the pitch and led a counter-attack, but his shot was saved by United shot-stopper Dean Henderson.
The visitors had another chance to break the deadlock six minutes later after Nicolas Otamendi pulled off an acrobatic over-head kick in the centre of the box but his stunning effort was kept out by Henderson.
Guardiola's troops were awarded a penalty with ten minutes remaining of the first stanza after Chris Basham brought down Mahrez. With Sergio Aguero on the bench, Gabriel Jesus stepped up to take the penalty but his spot-kick was saved by Henderson.
The Blades were defending deep in their own half early after the break, with the visitors finding it hard to break them down but Rodri came close to breaking the deadlock just before the hour-mark with a header at the near post that sailed just wide.
Guardiola had seen enought and made his first change in the 68th minute, as Aguero replaced Jesus in the hope of finding the breakthrough.
The change paid off after the Argentine finally broke the deadlock with 16 minutes remaining with simple finish from six-yards out after getting on the end of De Bruyne's superb cross.
Man City pinned Sheffield back in their own half in the closing minutes, as Sterling almost snatched the second goal five minutes before time after dribbling his way to a create a yard at the near post but his low shot missed slightly wide as the encounter finished 1-0.
