De Bruyne & Aguero give Man City win over Sheff Utd

Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola speaking to BBC Sport: "The goal was a key moment and the second half was better, we attacked better, and finally won a tough game.

"After 48 hours we recovered for an incredible game and after more than 80 minutes with 10 men we did it. So compliments to the team.

"But compliments to Sheffield United, they were amazing. This team is newly promoted and are sixth or seventh in the table, it is an incredible team.

"Now I must say thank you to the Premier League for giving us three days for the next game."

On whether his side were fortunate not to have their first goal overturned by VAR: "I have a huge list on VAR and haven't made one statement. I didn't do it after the last game when there were decisions against us.

"We didn't complain and I'm not going to complain. That is for the referees, the big masters, to discuss."

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, speaking to Sky Sports: "We had a short time to recover and faced a strong team. Not just mentally but physically against Sheffield United. And after when I was there 'wow' they are good in the long balls, defending. It's not a secret whey they are in the table."

On VAR decision for the first goal: "I said many times I have a huge list for VAR. Every weekend is a big mess. In other games it was a big mess. Hopefully next season it can do better."

On a century of wins: "Of course we proud of everything in these seasons, the incredible effort. When you think about 100 wins in 134 games it is an incredible achievement. It is nice to be alongside these big teams. It means a lot. Sometimes we lose perspective. But when you have this perspective with how many games you see it. We fight for 100 wins. I am happy especially for the players. They are the reason we won 100 games."

Pep Guardiola has just thanked the Premier League for giving his team three days off. I think he genuinely meant it.

I think.

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder, speaking to Sky Sports: "We believe that it could have been different. My team were excellent against fantastic players and a world class manager. The way we played out of possession was good. As always when you play the big teams when the chances come around you have to taken them. And we haven't."

On City's first goal: "Did it change the game? 100% it did. I never felt we had to change shape. We knew they had quality. We bring this rule in if it touches the ref it's immediately stopped. The ball is around him. It's not a close decision. It affects the game. Nobody in the ground will debate his decision. It affects the game. He's in on goal and a fantastic finish. He should do the sensible and correct thing. I am not saying we would have won the game, or got a result, but it changes the game."

"I don't mind that unbeaten run going today, and in the manner it did. My team has heat and spirit - for a promoted side we have pushed them. Looking at the manager, he was made up when the goals went in.

"I'd imagine he would win a game of pool, or 5-a-side he would want to win."

Javel Bleach: Last year, #Liverpool dropped 11 pts between 3 Jan & 3 March, so anything is still possible. They need to keep their eye on the ball & their focus on the next match only.

Sheffield United John Fleck speaking to BBC Sport on referee Chris Kavanagh standing in his way in the build-up to City's opening goal: "I think I've been caught in an unfortunate moment, there are no complaints.

"Out on the pitch there is a lot of frustration but it is one of those things. I understand the rule if it hits him the game is stopped but not if he's just in the way. It is unfortunate."

Fortune didn’t favour Sheffield United and a demanding Chris Wilder will rue the fact his side didn’t take advantage of a lethargic Manchester City as their unbeaten away run comes to an end.

More from Chris Wilder on his side's performance: "We got back into the game and then a world-class player kills the game off with 10 minutes to go.

"I'm proud of the team performance against a world-class side, that's what they are regardless of where Manchester City are in the league now.

"Their team selection spoke volumes of their respect to us. They played near enough their full XI and maybe another day we would have picked up a big result.

"The unbeaten run ends and if it was going to end it would be something like this, here against a top side and when we stood up to the challenge as a promoted team.

"We had an opportunity to play, we did that and they weren't half chances today, we had some really good chances. not saying if scored we would have won the game but give us a chance."

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder, speaking to BBC Sport: "It is definitely a game-changer.

"I thought the way the players stuck to the plan, played well out of possession and we had a threat the other way. When you come to Manchester City you have to take your opportunities and unfortunately we didn't.

"Yet again we had another goal disallowed by VAR, that's about eight or nine over the weeked, this is not a situation helping the game and the small margins.

"But I will leave that for everyone else to talk about because I have said too much about it.

"I've been to see the referee and he has been honest about it. We make mistakes and I believe he made one too.

"It happened that quick and I thought he could have been helped by his colleagues a little bit.

"We talk about the new rule where if the referee touches ball then he has to blow up, so surely if he is in the way and hinders us then he makes a sensible decision.

"If he made the sensible decision then I don't think no-one in the ground would have said anything about it."

We'll close the unofficial poll there... so more than 1,000 of you believe Liverpool won't win the title?

Or perhaps you just don't like them?

I'm going to go big here and say they will win the title.

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• Manchester City remain unbeaten against Sheffield United in the Premier League (W4 D3), while this was their sixth clean sheet in seven games against them in the competition.
• Sheffield United suffered their first away defeat in any competition since January (0-1 v Swansea in the Championship), ending a run of 18 consecutive games without a loss on the road.
• Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 38 Premier League home games against promoted sides (W34 D4) since a 0-2 loss against Reading in February 2007. Only Chelsea (43 games between 2001-2015) and Man Utd (40 games between 2002-2015) have had longer such runs in the competition.
• Manchester City striker Aguero has scored against 32 of the 33 opponents he has faced in the Premier League, with Bolton being the only team he’s failed to net against (one appearance).

Sheffield United midfielder John Fleck: "I thought we did well. Obviously we are disappointed with the result. But they have world class players."

On City's first goal: "I think the ref was in the way! He's not meant to be there, but it's just one of those things. No complaints. We've had two or three great chances but it's not our day. I think we have done well to be where we are and look to do continue in the second half of the season."

Thumbs up for yes

Thumbs down for no.

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero: "Today we had to win. We happy because we need the three points. I play with good players so to score goals for me it is easy. Always Pep makes sure we focus every game and we are training hard."

On being a point behind Leicester: "Now Liverpool is too hard. We have to focus just on winning because we need to play Champions League next season. We have to play the same way and see what happens."