Rodri scored a late belter to help Manchester City win at Sheffield United to secure three wins from three Premier League games this season.
City was without manager Pep Guardiola who is recuperating after back surgery in Barcelona and they looked like they would drop points after Jayden Bogle cancelled Erling Haaland’s goal with an 85th minute strike after captain Kyle Walker’s howler.
But City continued to press and they were not behind for long as Rodri’s 88th minute screamer after fine work from Walker to find Phil Foden fell to him.
The Spanish international midfielder struck the ball with his left leg beating the Sheffield goalkeeper.
City leave it late to snatch points
City, with assistant boss Juanma Lillo giving orders, deserved to take all three points after dominating possession and creating the better chances.
However, they very nearly paid for unusual profligacy in front of goal.
They had 79% of possession and 30 efforts at goal but were frustrated for much of the game by a stubborn United defence, with captain John Egan and goalkeeper Wes Foderingham impressing.
Haaland spurned a chance to put City ahead when his first-half penalty hit the inside of the right post and bounced to safety, though he made no mistake later when converting Grealish’s inviting cross from the left.
Bramall Lane erupted when United capitalised on a mistake by former Blades defender Kyle Walker to equalise through Bogle, but City responded almost immediately.
Walker atoned for his error by breaking into space down the right and putting in a dangerous cross that hit substitute Phil Foden before landing in the path of Rodri, who fired in a venomous shot.
Foden had been dropped despite his fine performance in the win over Newcastle, but his late introduction immediately after Bogle’s leveller gave City much-needed impetus.
Battling Blades have something to build on
This is just the fourth time Sheffield United have lost their first three league games in a season, but they can take heart from a defiant defensive display that very nearly earned them a point.
Even after falling behind they did not fold and began to create openings, with Gus Hamer’s shot well blocked by Ruben Dias and substitute Oli McBurnie heading just wide from the corner.
After Rodri put City back in front, Yasser Larouci lashed a late effort over from a tricky angle as the home side threatened a second equaliser, with Anel Ahmedhodzic squandering a close-range chance.
McBurnie and fellow substitute Bogle were making their first appearances of the season as United’s injury list begins to ease, though Ben Osborn was forced off with what looked like a groin strain in the first half.
There was a pre-match boost for Paul Heckingbottom’s side, with England Under-21 striker Cameron Archer paraded on the pitch after completing a reported £18m move from Aston Villa.
