Sergio Aguero has now scored six goals in his last three Premier League games
Sergio Aguero scored his sixth goal in his last three games as Manchester City edged a gutsy Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
The Blades had looked on course to claim a hugely credible draw against the reigning Premier League champions, with Dean Henderson saving a Gabriel Jesus penalty in the first half as well as making a string of excellent saves.
But Aguero came off the bench to score the decisive goal, tapping in a cross from Kevin de Bruyne towards the end of the second half.
That strike came just moments after Sheffield United came close to taking the lead themselves - Oli McBurnie stretching to meet a cross but just failing to turn the ball into an empty net.
Victory for Manchester City means they strengthen their place in second. They have 51 points - 13 behind leaders Liverpool but six ahead of Leicester, who play West Ham on Wednesday.
Sheffield United, meanwhile, remain seventh on 33 points.
- Reaction to Tuesday's Premier League action
Aguero helps City come through tough test
It is hard to imagine that a manager who has won trophies wherever he has worked is claiming he can still learn from others, but that's exactly what Pep Guardiola said prior to this game.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss spoke highly of Sheffield United under Chris Wilder, saying they are a team he can learn from.
For large periods of this game the Blades certainly gave Guardiola plenty to think about, with their disciplined and organised defence frustrating City for well over an hour.
In the end, Guardiola had to turn to the ever-reliable Aguero to get the job done.
At 31, the Argentina international is in the twilight years of his football career but is arguably enjoying some of his best form.
It took him just six minutes to get on the scoresheet after coming on for Jesus, who had struggled to get the better of the Blades' defence.
Aguero has now scored 21 goals in just 23 appearances in all competitions this season, including eight in his last five appearances.
The league title may be increasingly out of reach for City but Aguero's form could be vital for their aspirations in other competitions.
Man of the match - Dean Henderson (Sheffield United)
Dean Henderson has saved four of his last eight penalties faced in English league footballWhat next?
Sheffield United travel to Championship side Millwall on Saturday, 25 January (15:00 GMT), while Manchester City host Fulham on Sunday, 26 January (13:00 GMT)
More to follow.
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Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text
Line-ups
Sheff Utd
1Henderson
6BashamSubstituted forRobinsonat 78'minutes
12Egan
5O'Connell
2Baldock
27BesicBooked at 13minsSubstituted forLundstramat 78'minutes
16NorwoodBooked at 24mins
4FleckBooked at 43mins
3Stevens
10SharpSubstituted forMoussetat 59'minutes
9McBurnieBooked at 84mins
Substitutes
7Lundstram
11Robinson
15Jagielka
18Freeman
21Verrips
22Mousset
23Osborn
Man City
31Ederson
25FernandinhoBooked at 45mins
30Otamendi
14LaporteSubstituted forGarcÃaat 78'minutes
2Walker
17De Bruyne
16RodriBooked at 53mins
11Zinchenko
26Mahrez
7SterlingSubstituted forBernardo Silvaat 90+2'minutes
9Gabriel JesusSubstituted forAgüeroat 67'minutesBooked at 83mins
Substitutes
1Bravo
8Gündogan
10Agüero
20Bernardo Silva
27Cancelo
47Foden
50GarcÃa
Referee:
Lee Mason
Attendance:
31,825
Match Stats
Home TeamSheff UtdAway TeamMan City
Possession
Home33%
Away67%
Shots
Home4
Away18
Shots on Target
Home1
Away5
Corners
Home5
Away13
Fouls
Home13
Away13
Live Text
Posted at
Match ends, Sheffield United 0, Manchester City 1.
Full TimePosted at 90'+6'
Second Half ends, Sheffield United 0, Manchester City 1.
Posted at 90'+6'
Hand ball by Enda Stevens (Sheffield United).
Posted at 90'+5'
Foul by Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City).
Posted at 90'+5'
John Lundstram (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 90'+4'
Attempt missed. Rodrigo (Manchester City) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Sergio Agüero.
Posted at 90'+2'
Foul by Sergio Agüero (Manchester City).
Posted at 90'+2'
Jack O'Connell (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
SubstitutionPosted at 90'+2'
Substitution, Manchester City. Bernardo Silva replaces Raheem Sterling.
Posted at 90'+1'
Corner, Manchester City. Conceded by Jack O'Connell.
Posted at 89'
Attempt blocked. Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Kevin De Bruyne.
Posted at 88'
Attempt blocked. Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Riyad Mahrez.
Posted at 86'
Corner, Manchester City. Conceded by George Baldock.
Posted at 85'
Offside, Sheffield United. George Baldock tries a through ball, but John Lundstram is caught offside.
Posted at 85'
Attempt missed. Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Nicolás Otamendi following a corner.
Posted at 84'
Corner, Manchester City. Conceded by Oliver McBurnie.
BookingPosted at 84'
Oliver McBurnie (Sheffield United) is shown the yellow card.
Posted at 84'
Rodrigo (Manchester City) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 84'
Foul by Callum Robinson (Sheffield United).
BookingPosted at 83'
Sergio Agüero (Manchester City) is shown the yellow card.
Posted at 82'
Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 82'
Foul by Jack O'Connell (Sheffield United).
Posted at 80'
Attempt blocked. Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Sergio Agüero.
Posted at 79'
Offside, Manchester City. Ederson tries a through ball, but Riyad Mahrez is caught offside.
SubstitutionPosted at 78'
Substitution, Sheffield United. John Lundstram replaces Muhamed Besic.
SubstitutionPosted at 78'
Substitution, Sheffield United. Callum Robinson replaces Chris Basham.
SubstitutionPosted at 78'
Substitution, Manchester City. Eric GarcÃa replaces Aymeric Laporte.
Posted at 77'
Attempt missed. Rodrigo (Manchester City) header from the right side of the six yard box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Riyad Mahrez with a cross following a corner.
Posted at 77'
Corner, Manchester City. Conceded by Jack O'Connell.
Posted at 76'
Kyle Walker (Manchester City) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 76'
Foul by Enda Stevens (Sheffield United).
Goal!Posted at 73'
Goal! Sheffield United 0, Manchester City 1. Sergio Agüero (Manchester City) left footed shot from very close range to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Kevin De Bruyne with a cross.
Posted at 72'
Attempt missed. Oliver McBurnie (Sheffield United) right footed shot from very close range misses to the right. Assisted by Enda Stevens with a cross.
Posted at 69'
Corner, Manchester City. Conceded by George Baldock.
Posted at 68'
Offside, Sheffield United. Dean Henderson tries a through ball, but Lys Mousset is caught offside.
SubstitutionPosted at 67'
Substitution, Manchester City. Sergio Agüero replaces Gabriel Jesus.
Posted at 67'
Foul by Oleksandr Zinchenko (Manchester City).
Posted at 67'
John Egan (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 65'
Attempt missed. Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is close, but misses the top right corner. Assisted by Fernandinho.
Posted at 62'
Attempt saved. Lys Mousset (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
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goal
Source: bbc.com