Wes Foderingham shines for Sheffield United, defender struggles in Man City player ratings

Danny Hall
·5-min read
Outstanding. An early slip was his only real mis-step, Ake poking home before the offside flag came. Made an outstanding close-range save to deny Alvarez what looked a certain opener and then excelled again to keep out Haaland’s chipped effort. Had no chance when Haaland eventually broke the deadlock or when Rodri won it with a superb finish. Didn’t deserve to lose
Outstanding. An early slip was his only real mis-step, Ake poking home before the offside flag came. Made an outstanding close-range save to deny Alvarez what looked a certain opener and then excelled again to keep out Haaland’s chipped effort. Had no chance when Haaland eventually broke the deadlock or when Rodri won it with a superb finish. Didn’t deserve to lose

The Blades looked to have earned their first point of the season when Jayden Bogle came off the bench to equalise in the 85th minute, after Erling Haaland had earlier put the visitors ahead.

But poor defending on the wing gave City one more chance and Rodri, who scored the winner in the Champions League final, repeated the trick at Bramall Lane with a superb finish to earn all three points for the reigning champions just three minutes later.

Earlier Haaland missed a penalty and City had two goals ruled out for offside. Here are our player ratings from a game that left United with no points, but a lot of pride...

Outstanding. An early slip was his only real mis-step, Ake poking home before the offside flag came. Made an outstanding close-range save to deny Alvarez what looked a certain opener and then excelled again to keep out Haaland’s chipped effort. Had no chance when Haaland eventually broke the deadlock or when Rodri won it with a superb finish. Didn’t deserve to lose
Outstanding. An early slip was his only real mis-step, Ake poking home before the offside flag came. Made an outstanding close-range save to deny Alvarez what looked a certain opener and then excelled again to keep out Haaland’s chipped effort. Had no chance when Haaland eventually broke the deadlock or when Rodri won it with a superb finish. Didn’t deserve to lose
Had another great running battle with Grealish and brought a great cheer to Bramall Lane when he caught his old pal with a late challenge, picking up a deserved booking in the process. Couldn’t prevent the cross for Haaland’s opener but there’s not much shame in that considering the calibre of player he was up against. Made way for Bogle
Had another great running battle with Grealish and brought a great cheer to Bramall Lane when he caught his old pal with a late challenge, picking up a deserved booking in the process. Couldn’t prevent the cross for Haaland’s opener but there’s not much shame in that considering the calibre of player he was up against. Made way for Bogle
Had United fans interested for a moment as he tried an ambitious volley after Ederson’s poor clearance, that didn’t end up a million miles away. Was spoken to by ref Gillett early in the game with Haaland as they enjoyed a good physical battle, and doubled up a lot with Baldock to try and snuff out the threat of Grealish cutting in from the left. Could have scored another dramatic equaliser when he threw himself as McBurnie’s cross but just couldn’t get enough on it
Had United fans interested for a moment as he tried an ambitious volley after Ederson’s poor clearance, that didn’t end up a million miles away. Was spoken to by ref Gillett early in the game with Haaland as they enjoyed a good physical battle, and doubled up a lot with Baldock to try and snuff out the threat of Grealish cutting in from the left. Could have scored another dramatic equaliser when he threw himself as McBurnie’s cross but just couldn’t get enough on it
On first glance Egan looked harshly penalised when conceding a penalty but replays showed it to be a fair decision, with his hand in what’s deemed an ‘unnatural position’ these days as Alvarez crossed from the left. Otherwise marshalled City’s numerous threats well enough for the most part. Booked late on, either for his ‘foul’ on Grealish or his reaction - or a combination of both
On first glance Egan looked harshly penalised when conceding a penalty but replays showed it to be a fair decision, with his hand in what’s deemed an ‘unnatural position’ these days as Alvarez crossed from the left. Otherwise marshalled City’s numerous threats well enough for the most part. Booked late on, either for his ‘foul’ on Grealish or his reaction - or a combination of both
Fingers may be pointed at him for Haaland’s goal but they’d be harsh ones, based on the quality of the cross from Grealish and the striker’s sheer presence and power in the air. Risked posession with a sloppy ball out from the back but otherwise fine
Fingers may be pointed at him for Haaland’s goal but they’d be harsh ones, based on the quality of the cross from Grealish and the striker’s sheer presence and power in the air. Risked posession with a sloppy ball out from the back but otherwise fine
Given the nod at left wing-back over Larouci but lasted only 15 minutes before going down for treatment and making way for the Frenchman, in the latest injury concern for the Blades
Given the nod at left wing-back over Larouci but lasted only 15 minutes before going down for treatment and making way for the Frenchman, in the latest injury concern for the Blades
Stuck by Rodri’s side for the opening exchanges and set up an early chance for Traore to stretch his legs with a great tackle. Gave United yards up the pitch a couple of times early on with intelligent long passes to send Traore free. An excellent display ended when he was replaced by Basham
Stuck by Rodri’s side for the opening exchanges and set up an early chance for Traore to stretch his legs with a great tackle. Gave United yards up the pitch a couple of times early on with intelligent long passes to send Traore free. An excellent display ended when he was replaced by Basham
On his full debut at home Souza was a typically-commanding presence in midfield and looked to use the ball intelligently when he got it too. Thundered into a late challenge that helped work the ball wide for Bogle’s goal, playing a part that shouldn’t be underappreciated. Had been booked earlier in the game for fouling Bernardo Silva as he looked to race clear and looked to cramp up again but forced his way through
On his full debut at home Souza was a typically-commanding presence in midfield and looked to use the ball intelligently when he got it too. Thundered into a late challenge that helped work the ball wide for Bogle’s goal, playing a part that shouldn’t be underappreciated. Had been booked earlier in the game for fouling Bernardo Silva as he looked to race clear and looked to cramp up again but forced his way through
Will have been fancying his second goal in as many games when the ball fell to him from Robinson’s long throw but his brilliantly-struck effort was blocked equally as well by Dias, who made sure to keep his arms behind his back to avoid the inevitable handball suspicions. Showed a few nice touches and tenacity off the ball too
Will have been fancying his second goal in as many games when the ball fell to him from Robinson’s long throw but his brilliantly-struck effort was blocked equally as well by Dias, who made sure to keep his arms behind his back to avoid the inevitable handball suspicions. Showed a few nice touches and tenacity off the ball too
To have a chance against City United really needed to utilise Traore’s pace down the sides of City’s defence and although he was released a couple of times by Norwood, nothing really came of such moments. Had a penalty shout turned down under Walker’s challenge when he troubled the former Blade with his pace but otherwise couldn’t affect the game a great deal
To have a chance against City United really needed to utilise Traore’s pace down the sides of City’s defence and although he was released a couple of times by Norwood, nothing really came of such moments. Had a penalty shout turned down under Walker’s challenge when he troubled the former Blade with his pace but otherwise couldn’t affect the game a great deal
Picked up one of the all-time comedy bookings as he was dragged to the floor by Gvardiol and not only penalised but then somehow shown a yellow card. United’s bench certainly weren’t laughing and nor should they at one of the worst decisions I’ve ever seen. Of course we’ll never know what ref Gillett saw because they aren’t held accountable. Later made way for McBurnie
Picked up one of the all-time comedy bookings as he was dragged to the floor by Gvardiol and not only penalised but then somehow shown a yellow card. United’s bench certainly weren’t laughing and nor should they at one of the worst decisions I’ve ever seen. Of course we’ll never know what ref Gillett saw because they aren’t held accountable. Later made way for McBurnie
Came on early for Osborn after he went down injured and had a nightmare moment late in the game when he tried to see the ball out on the left touchline, was robbed and seconds later the ball was in United’s net from Rodri’s left boot. So cruel and so avoidable
Came on early for Osborn after he went down injured and had a nightmare moment late in the game when he tried to see the ball out on the left touchline, was robbed and seconds later the ball was in United’s net from Rodri’s left boot. So cruel and so avoidable
Replaced Baldock on his comeback from injury and what a moment it turned out to be as he drove at the City defence and smashed home an equaliser that sent the Lane rocking - for a few minutes, anyway
Replaced Baldock on his comeback from injury and what a moment it turned out to be as he drove at the City defence and smashed home an equaliser that sent the Lane rocking - for a few minutes, anyway
Also made his first appearance of the season after replacing Osula and his excellent cross almost set up another equaliser for Ahmedhodzic, who just couldn’t get enough on the ball (Photo: Alex Livesey)
Also made his first appearance of the season after replacing Osula and his excellent cross almost set up another equaliser for Ahmedhodzic, who just couldn’t get enough on the ball (Photo: Alex Livesey)
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Chris Basham of Sheffield United reacts after Rodri of Manchester City (not pictured) scores their sides second goal during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Manchester City at Bramall Lane on August 27, 2023 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Chris Basham of Sheffield United reacts after Rodri of Manchester City (not pictured) scores their sides second goal during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Manchester City at Bramall Lane on August 27, 2023 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)