Man City 1-0 Sheff Utd Player Ratings: Walker stars as Jesus the saviour

Gabriel Jesus got the only goal of the game as Man City strengthened their grip on first place in the Premier League thanks to a win over Sheffield United.

5:52pm on Saturday 30th January 2021
By Robin Bairner

Manchester City did what their neighbours could not in midweek as they secured a 1-0 win over Sheffield United in the Premier League.

An early strike for Gabriel Jesus was enough for Pep Guardiola’s side to get the three points that keeps out in front in the league standings.

It was a game of few chances with City dominant but uninspiring, but who were the stars?

Manchester City 1-0 Sheffield United: Player Ratings, Match Stats, Player Stats

Gabriel Jesus: 7.1

With Sergio Aguero out, the onus was on Jesus to lead the line. While he had a relatively quiet game overall, the influence that he did have was a telling one.

Jesus was rarely given space by the Sheffield United defence, but he profited upon their sole lapse to blast Man City into an early lead. While it was ultimately the goal that gave the home side the victory, it also allowed them to play the match with a sense of serenity.

Denied by a brilliant save in stoppage time.

❌ BAD PERFORMANCE

Oliver Burke: 5.4

Burly attacker Burke was meant to be the player to provide Sheffield United with relief from Man City’s pressure. He was simply unable to weight any influence on the match whatsoever.

Burke would only touch the ball 25 times in 78 minutes – a ratio not dissimilar to fellow forward Rhian Brewster – yet the Scotland international was not able even to offer a defensive contribution for his team.

⭐ STAR MAN

Kyle Walker 8.1

More of a right midfielder than a right-back, Walker had a major influence on this match as he provided an additional outlet in the centre of the park to help Guardiola’s men dominate the ball.

He was one of four Man City players to enjoy more than 100 touches of the ball, while he completed 94% of his passes, including 30 that went into the final third of the park. Perhaps his most remarkable statistic, though, was that he gave possession away only 10 times.

Although he gave away a foul in a dangerous area towards the end, he was largely reliable at the back, winning all three of his attempted tackles and making four recoveries.

Manchester City 1-0 Sheffield United: Player Ratings, Match Stats, Player Stats