MANCHESTER CITY may not win the title this season — but Sergio Aguero clearly still fancies the Golden Boot.
The deadly Argentine was surprisingly dropped to the bench for this one despite scoring five goals in his previous two appearances.
Sergio Aguero tapped home at the back post to score the winnerCredit: Reuters
The Argentine celebrates bagging his 16th of the seasonCredit: AFP or licensors
And when he was introduced midway through the second half, he took less than six minutes to make his point in the only way he knows how.
Aguero tapped in a Kevin De Bruyne cross at the back post to score his 16th Premier League goal of the season — just one shy of Leicester’s Jamie Vardy.
So while City have not got much to play for in terms of the league any more, their all-time leading scorer certainly has.
Nobody would have been more relieved to see the ball go in than his fellow striker Gabriel Jesus though.
The Brazilian continued his dismal record from the spot when his first-half penalty was saved by Dean Henderson.
At least Aguero ensured City got back to winning ways ahead of a big week of domestic cup action for the champions.
There was a surprise in Pep Guardiola’s starting line-up with Aymeric Laporte making his comeback after 4½ months out.
The French international damaged his knee in the win over Brighton at the end of August and it has been a long road back.
City have missed him and getting him back — as they turn their focus to cup competitions to salvage the season — is a huge lift.
Mind you, he could easily have been looking at another spell on the sidelines after just 12 minutes.
Mo Besic clattered through the back of him — and the £57million ace needed a couple of minutes of treatment on his ankle before gingerly getting back to his feet.
Luckily for City he was OK to continue but there were tasty challenges flying in all over the pitch — with Sheffield United showing great spirit.
Jack O’Connell lost the ball in the middle and the visitors broke at pace with Riyad Mahrez squaring for Raheem Sterling.
Man City were made to work for their narrow victoryCredit: Reuters
Dean Henderson saved Jesus’ penaltyCredit: Reuters
The England ace got a decent connection but on-loan Manchester United keeper Dean Henderson made a smart save to push the ball away.
He was there again to deny Nicolas Otamendi who met Fernandinho’s knock-down with an acrobatic effort — but it was straight at the keeper.
Ten minutes before the break the visitors won a spot-kick when Mahrez danced his way past a couple of challenges before being brought down by Chris Basham. Referee Lee Mason pointed to the spot and the home fans made it clear what they thought of his performance all night long.
Jesus stepped up but Henderson guessed right and made a smart save — the Brazilian has now missed six of his last ten pens.
Guardiola and his backroom staff felt the Blades keeper had moved off his line and wanted the kick retaken but the VAR clearly did not agree.
Henderson has saved four of the last eight penalties he has faced — no wonder the Blades believe he should be England’s No 1.
The miss seemed to get the Bramall Lane crowd even more worked up and there was a huge cheer as Fernandinho was finally booked after riding his luck with a series of cheeky fouls.
Yet for all their hard work, the home side had not mustered an effort on target — something which no doubt delighted Guardiola on the day his key defender returned.
The second half continued in a similar way to the first with the Blades matching City’s work rate but struggling to create openings.
Aymeric Laporte was back in defence for CityCredit: Reuters
Pep Guardiola was left frustrated on numerous occasionsCredit: AFP or licensors
Just before the hour a corner from the right was met by £62.5m record signing Rodri but his header looped just wide.
The Spanish midfielder then clipped over a cross which Jesus met but h his header was comfortable for Henderson.
It was just after the hour when City keeper Ederson was first called into action — as sub Lys Mousset tried a cheeky back-heel but it was straight at the Brazilian.
Laying it back to John Fleck — who was in a much better position — might have been the better option in all honesty.
Guardiola had made seven changes to the team which only drew 2-2 with Crystal Palace on Saturday, with Aguero one of those who missed out.
Those picked ahead of him were struggling to find the target with Sterling blazing an effort wide from a narrow angle.
So it was no surprise when Aguero was thrown midway through the second half with Jesus making way — and it took just six minutes for the Argentine to make the impact.
The Blades had just had another half chance with Enda Stephens sending a low cross which just evaded the on-rushing Oli McBurnie.
But City quickly broke and worked the ball up to the other end with Sterling playing a short pass to De Bruyne on the right-hand side.
The Belgian had been quiet all night but his low cross was perfectly placed between two defenders and Aguero had a simple tap-in.
The Blades spirit and resistance had finally been broken and Aguero’s 21st goal in all competitions this season was enough.
Aguero will score more goals than a legend
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
