Manchester City ended a memorable 2023 in style with a dominant 2-0 win over Sheffield United that lifts them into third place in the Premier League.
In a game where the gulf in class was huge, City bossed possession as they recorded 82 per cent of the ball with goals courtesy of Rodri and Julian Alvarez.
Mouse stole the show during half-time between Manchester City and Sheffield United at the Etihad
It caps a quite sensational calendar year for Pep Guardiola's side, who won five trophies, scoring 159 goals along the way in their 66 matches.
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This victory leaves City perfectly positioned in the title race, just two points off Liverpool while the return of Kevin De Bruyne, who was named among the substitutes but didn't get on, only further enhances the menacing look about their prospects in 2024.
Player ratings
Man City: Ederson (7), Walker (7), Akanji (7), Ake (7), Gvardiol (7), Kovacic (7), Rodri (9), Bernardo Silva (8), Foden (9), Grealish (7), Alvarez (8)
Subs: Dias (7), Bobb (7), Lewis (7)
Sheffield United: Foderingham (6), Baldock (6), Robinson (6), Trusty (6), Bogle (6), Vinicius Souza (5), Norwood (5), Thomas (6), Ben Slimane (6), Brooks (5), Osula (6)
Subs: Brewster (6), Archer (6), Norrington-Davies (6), Osborn (6)
Player of the match: Phil Foden
How City made it back-to-back wins...
Manchester City were in celebratory mood ahead of the match as the club paraded all their trophies won during a memorable 2023.
Team news
Pep Guardiola made two changes from the team that won at Everton with Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic replacing John Stones and Matheus Nunes. Kevin De Bruyne returned from four months out injured on the bench.
Chris Wilder has made five changes from the team that lost 3-2 at home to fellow strugglers Luton Town in midweek.
Opta stats:
Manchester City's 938 successful passes against Sheffield United is the second-most on record in a Premier League game (since 2003-04), behind their own record of 942 against Swansea City in April 2018. Indeed, their 81.8% possession figure was their highest in a Premier League game since May 2021 against Newcastle United (82.1%).
City have remained unbeaten at the Etihad in all competitions in 2023 (P28 W25 D3) - three of the last four instances of an English top-flight side going unbeaten in a calendar year at home have been Manchester City (2011 and 2017 also) along with Liverpool (2019).
What's next?
Manchester City are next in action on January 7, hosting Championship side Huddersfield in the third round of the FA Cup, before returning to league commitments on January 13 with a trip to Newcastle; kick-off 5.30pm.
Sheffield United are also in third-round action when travelling to League Two outfit Gillingham on January 6, and don't return to league duty until January 21 when West Ham visit Bramall Lane; kick-off 2pm.
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