Man City vs Sheffield United LIVE: Premier League result and reaction after Julian Alvarez nets second goal

Manchester City can get their Premier League campaign back on track when they host Sheffield United at the Etihad Stadium this afternoon.

A few missed opportunities have slipped by Pep Guradiola’s men and dropped points sees them enter the weekend’s fixtures fourth in the table. They are five points behind leaders Liverpool but have a game in hand after skipping a gameweek to go to Saudi Arabia and win the Club World Cup.

Attempting to stop them today are Sheffield United are in desperate need of points. The Blades are rock bottom and are seven points away from safety. Chris Wilder has been brought back in to manage the team but he’s got a mammoth task on his hands against the Premier League champions today.

Follow the latest action from the Premier League below:

Manchester City vs Sheffield United LIVE: Premier League updates

• Man City host Sheffield United in the Premier League

• 61’ GOAL! - Julian Alvarez scores a second for City (MCI 1-0 SHU)

• 14’ GOAL! - Rodri sends City ahead (MCI 1-0 SHU)

Manchester City FC 2 - 0 Sheffield United FC

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

17:00

City get back to winning ways at home with a comfortable 2-0 win over Sheffield United. They took an early lead in the first half, with Rodri picking out the bottom left corner with his long-range strike. Foderingham was forced into action to make a good save to deny Silva, while at the other end, Osula had a great chance blocked by Akanji. The Citizens continued to dominate after the break though, and Alvarez sealed the win with a close-range tap-in just after the hour mark, while Foderingham denied Foden from getting on the scoresheet with a good reflex save. It's a win that extends City's unbeaten run to seven games and lifts them to third in the table, just two points behind leaders Liverpool. Next up for them is Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup. United are still without an away win this season as they stay rooted to the bottom of the table, seven points from safety. They travel to Gillingham for their FA Cup tie. That's all for today, goodbye!

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

16:52

FULL-TIME: MANCHESTER CITY 2-0 SHEFFIELD UNITED.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

16:52

So late in the game, United are enjoying their best spell of possession, but it's too little too late. It's all in front of City, who are happy to just let them keep it at this time.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

16:50

The final roll of the dice for Sheff United sees Norrington-Davies come on in place of Thomas for stoppage time.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

16:49

Ake is attempting to start a counter when Bogle tugs him back, clearly out of frustration. He can have no complaints about that booking.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

16:48

United have a rare chance to attack here as Bogle drags them upfield before clipping a cross into Osborn on the left. He holds onto it too long, and by the time he squares it, it's way behind Archer in the middle.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

16:45

BLOCK! Silva takes it to the byline before pulling it back for Foden on the edge of the box. He loses Souza with a clever drop of the shoulder, but then fires his shot against Trusty, whose deflection takes it into the side netting.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

16:44

Dias goes for the big switch out to Bobb on the left once more, though Bogle is ready for it. He forces the substitute to the byline, and the cross doesn't stay in play.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

16:42

The Blades have to go all the way back to Foderingham again, and after what happened last time, Alvarez is all too eager to chase him down. The keeper is expecting it this time though, and coolly gets it away in time.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

16:40

Third change for United now, and it's Brooks that's taken off, with Osborn on in his place.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

16:40

City look to their right this time, and Akanji is able to carry the ball a long way before curling in a cross. Alvarez is hovering just in front of the keeper, but Trusty stops it from reaching him.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

16:38

Bobb is being afforded a lot of space down the left and he plays another good cross into the six-yard box. He's looking for Foden's latest run through the middle, but Baldock blocks it ahead of him.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

16:35

GOOD SAVE! There are a lot of gaps starting to open up in Sheff United's backline now, and Rodri exploits one of them with a throughball into Foden. He keeps his shot low, firing it at the near post, but Foderingham gets a strong hand to it.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

16:34

GREAT CHANCE! And it's a nervy moment at the back for Foderingham! It's played back to the keeper, who tries to take his time on it, not realising that he's being chased down. He tries to hook it away, but it hits the Argentinian, and luckily for United, bounces wide of the goal.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

16:32

Archer does well to keep the ball in play and plays a one-two with Brooks to carry his side over halfway. Dias stays tight to him to make sure he doesn't get far, but it's better from the Blades.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

16:31

Substitution Kyle Andrew Walker Rico Henry Mark Lewis

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

16:31

United are starting to press a little higher upfield, but all they've done is force City back into their own half. The visitors still can't get a touch, and you can see they're beginning to tire.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

16:27

It's a double change for City too. Lewis is brought on in place of Kovacic, who is on a booking.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

16:27

And Ben Slimane, who has struggled to get involved in the second half, goes off for Brewster.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

16:27

Changes are coming for both sides, starting with a double attacking swap for Sheff United. Osula is the first to go off, with Archer on in his place.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

16:27

Substitution Kyle Andrew Walker Rúben dos Santos Gato Alves Dias

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

16:27

City are starting to look more to their left side to make something happen. Silva has switched out there for the moment to link up with Gvardiol, but they both see crosses cleared away.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

16:24

BLOCK! Foden has caused problems for United since the first whistle, and he gets in behind with another weaving run. He goes down under pressure from Souza before he can get the shot away, but it rolls to Bobb, whose first-time effort is blocked by Robinson.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

16:23

Loud cheers ring out around the Etihad as De Bruyne is out to warm up for the first time in the game. On the pitch, City are still comfortably keeping possession and passing their way around United.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

16:20

Assist Philip Walter Foden

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

16:19

All of the Blades' Premier League away goals this season have come in the second half of games. Including today, they've now failed to score before half-time in their last 11 on the road in the competition, their longest-ever such run.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

16:16

There's more neat play from City as they switch it from right to left and Gvardiol tees up Foden in the box. His first touch forces him wide, but he does win a corner as his powerful shot is deflected wide.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

16:15

GOOD SAVE! It looks a sure second goal for City! Rodri lifts it over the top for Foden to run onto after getting between two United defenders, but Foderingham is alert. The goalkeeper rushes out to take it off the youngster's boot, with Trusty following in to stop him from getting a second bite at it.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

16:14

Sheff United have barely managed to get out of their own half since the restart. They're still sitting deep, continuing to frustrate their opponents.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

16:10

Substitution Jack Peter Grealish Oscar Bobb

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

16:10

It's Rodri who plays the defence-splitting pass into the box this time as he picks out Grealish. He gets the ball caught under his feet before he can square it into the middle, allowing Souza to win it back.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

16:08

City have picked up where they left off in the first half, keeping United penned back deep in their own half. It's patient play from the hosts, who can't find a way into the box at the moment.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

16:04

City get us back under way for the second half!

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

15:59

City dominated the first half, having 82 per cent of the possession, but for all of that, they barely tested Foderingham. They've struggled to break the Blades down, but Guardiola will be keen on not giving up another lead at home - they'll up the pressure. United's low block has frustrated their hosts at times, but their game plan has worked for the most part. They do need to take more risks if they want to get back into this game though.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

15:54

Rodri's goal gives City a 1-0 lead at half-time over Sheff United. It was a great start for the hosts, with Rodri putting them in front in the 14th minute - he struck it sweetly from just outside the box, picking out the far bottom corner. Alvarez came close a couple of times, with Foderingham also making a good save to deny Silva. United grew into the game as it went on, with Osula having two good chances towards the end, with Akanji and Ederson keeping him out.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

15:48

HALF-TIME: MANCHESTER CITY 1-0 SHEFFIELD UNITED.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

15:47

Norwood's corner is half-cleared at the near post, but it's brought down by Bogle just inside the box. He decides to take on the shot himself instead of recycling it, but he curls it straight at Ederson.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

15:45

Yellow Card Mateo Kovačić

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

15:45

SAVE! It's a good delivery from the resulting corner, and it's Osula that rises highest in the middle to get on the end of the cross. He glances a looping header towards the far post, but Ederson stretches to catch it.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

15:44

BLOCK! United have a rare chance to get forward, with Bogle finding a lot of space down the right. He curls a good cross into the box which Osula meets first time, but Akanji is in front of him to poke it out for a corner.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

15:42

Baldock can't believe a foul has been given against him in the centre circle, and Ake takes the resulting free-kick quickly, spreading it out to Walker on the right. A heavy touch shows too much to Thomas, who is fouled shielding it from the right-back.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

15:39

Silva caught Robinson on the ball, but before he could carry it into the box, he was dispossessed by Souza. City are claiming they should've had a free-kick, and Guardiola's protests from the touchline result in him being booked.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

15:37

Rodri's run is blocked off by Souza and City win a free-kick on the left. Silva clips it towards the far post where Rodri manages to flick it on towards Akanji, but the offside flag goes up against him.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

15:35

Corner number four for City is taken short by Silva to Alvarez, who spins before drilling a low cross into the six-yard box. It's too close to Foderingham though, and the keeper holds onto it.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

15:34

Bogle thinks he has the chance to break when he's bundled over by Gvardiol, and he isn't happy that he doesn't at least get a free-kick for his trouble. The hosts stay camped in their opponents half.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

15:32

City are forced to go back to Ederson, but when he knocks it to Akanji, he tries to get his side straight back into the final third. He goes long for Silva, but the winger is caught on his heels and Foderingham is able to collect.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

15:30

The Blades have had 14 per cent possession so far in this game, and they're in no hurry to try and increase that. They're happy to sit back, limiting City to long-range shots when they do decide to have a go.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

15:28

Brooks makes a half-hearted attempt to press Walker, but it's too late as the right-back threads a wonderful pass into the box for Foden to chase. Trusty is alert though and just manages to shield the ball back to his goalkeeper.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

15:25

Foden is causing United a lot of problems at the moments and he drags two defenders with him as he runs along the edge of the box. He looks to Grealish in space, but his cross is comfortably cleared again.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

15:24

GOOD SAVE! Foden plays a lovely throughball into the box for Silva, who makes a clever run off the back of Trusty. The angle is against him, but he tries to drill it into the far post. Foderingham gets fingertips to it to help it wide.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

15:22

Gvardiol makes a good run forward this time before switching it out to Grealish on the wing. He's under no pressure, but the Blades comfortably deal with his cross into the box.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

15:20

United are struggling to get a touch on the ball at the moment, so are dropping deeper into their own box to make life harder for City. Grealish and Kovacic both try to play it into the area, but they can't pick out a blue shirt.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

15:18

CHANCE! City aren't ready to let up the pressure despite breaking the deadlock, and Silva spins away from Thomas down the right to lift in a great cross from the right. Alvarez meets it, but his header loops wide of the far top corner.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

15:16

Goal Rodrigo Hernández Cascante

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

15:15

Grealish has options ahead of him in the box, but can't pick out Foden or Alvarez with his reverse pass. Baldock hooks it clear and it almost turns out to be a good pass for Bogle, but Ake gets back in time to stop him from reaching it.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

15:13

City are patiently trying to open up some space in behind, and it looks like Ake has cracked it as he makes a driving run through the middle before sliding in Foden. Instead of turning to goal, he looks for the Dutchman again, but only picks out Robinson.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

15:11

Sheffield United have never scored in five Premier League away games against City - only Birmingham City (seven against Manchester United) have visited a side more without ever scoring in the competition.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

15:10

Again, City get a little sloppy in midfield and Osula has a chance to run at the defence. He makes a weaving run past three players, but Walker reads it well when the forward tries to spread it out to Brooks.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

15:07

CHANCE! Kovacic's loose pass gifts the ball to Sheff United and Ben Slimane picks out Norwood's run down the right. He whips a cross in which has Ederson scrambling - the keeper ends up behind his line, but manages to hold the ball out to prevent a shock goal.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

15:05

WIDE! It's City with all of the early possession here, and they find a way through down the left. Gvardiol clips it forward to Foden, who cushions it down for Alvarez, but he fizzes his first-time shot wide of the far post.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

15:02

Osula gets the game under way for United!

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

15:01

The teams are out on the pitch now, with kick-off just moments away!

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

14:58

Wilder makes five changes from their defeat at Luton last time out, which also sees the Blades swap to a back three. Bogle is back from a ban to start, with Norwood, Thomas, Ben Slimane and Osula also coming in. McBurnie and Archer drop to the bench. Anel Ahmedhodzic and Gustavo Hamer are both suspended for an accumulation of yellow cards, while James McAtee is ineligible against his parent club.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

14:54

Guardiola makes just two changes to the side that beat Everton in midweek. Gvardiol and Kovacic are both brought in, with the former's inclusion meaning Ake will move to centre-back. Nunes is on the bench, while John Stones is out with an ankle injury. They are boosted by the return of De Bruyne among the substitutes after a hamstring injury, with Dias also included after illness.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

14:50

SHEFFIELD UNITED SUBS: Ben Osborn, Benie Troare, Yasser Larouci, Rhian Brewster, Adam Davies, Femi Seriki, Oliver McBurnie, Cameron Archer, Rhys Norrington-Davies.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

14:50

SHEFFIELD UNITED STARTING XI (3-4-2-1): Wes Foderingham; George Baldock, Jack Robinson, Auston Trusty; Jayden Bogle, Vinicius Souza, Oliver Norwood, Luke Thomas; Anis Ben Slimane, Andre Brooks; William Osula.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

14:46

MANCHESTER CITY SUBS: Oscar Bobb, Kalvin Phillips, Ruben Dias, Sergio Gomez, Micah Hamilton, Matheus Nunes, Rico Lewis, Kevin De Bruyne, Stefan Ortega.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

14:42

MANCHESTER CITY STARTING XI (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Kyle Walker, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake, Josko Gvardiol; Mateo Kovacic, Rodri; Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish; Julian Alvarez.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

14:38

Since Chris Wilder came back to the club, United have managed to sure-up a bit more defensively, but they're still struggling to get points on the board. They've won just one of their five games since he took charge (a 1-0 victory at home over Brentford), drawing one and losing three of the other four - one of those defeats came in midweek as they gave up a lead against Luton Town, scoring two own goals to help the Hatters win 3-2. The Blades currently sit seven points from safety, but history isn't on their side to close that gap as they've never beaten City in the Premier League (D3 L8).

Man City vs Sheffield United line-ups

14:35 , Mike Jones

Man City XI: Ederson, Walker, Akanji, Ake, Gvardiol, Rodrigo, Kovacic, Bernardo, Foden, Grealish, Alvarez

Subs: Ortega Moreno, Dias, Phillips, De Bruyne, Gomez, Nunes, Bobb, Lewis, Hamilton

Sheffield United XI: Foderingham, Bogle, Baldock, Trusty, Robinson, Thomas, Norwood, Souza, Slimane, Osula, Brooks

Subs: Davies, Larouci, Norrington-Davies, Seriki, Osborn, Brewster, McBurnie, Archer, Traore

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

14:34

City's return to Premier League action following their Club World Cup success saw them return to winning ways in the league as they came from behind to beat Everton 3-1 on Wednesday. They're currently unbeaten in their last six outings in all competitions (W5 D1), and another win here would move them to just two points behind current leaders Liverpool. They've struggled at home in the Premier League recently, giving up leads in each of their last three games at the Eithad to draw with Liverpool, Tottenham and Crystal Palace, which is something Pep Guardiola will want to avoid happening again today.

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

14:34

Hello and welcome to live coverage of the Premier League meeting between Manchester City and Sheffield United at the Etihad Stadium!

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

14:00

Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…