Manchester City v Sheffield United live – Premier League latest as Pep Guardiola's champions claim dominant win to move within two points of top spot

The visitors being forced to run all over the pitch to close down space. Only 20 minutes gone, but already a tiring shift. City happy to take their time in seeking out space.

They win the ball in middle of park, but end up giving it straight back to City, who are warming to the task at the Etihad. They are second in the standings as we stand, two points behind leaders Liverpool.

This time Silva with the cross looking for Alvarez, but his header flies narrowly past a post. Worrying moments here for the visiting camp.

And just like that, City have the lead. Rodri bounds into space before sending a lovely shot low into the corner of the net from the Foden pass. No chance for Foderingham in goal. The old toe poke from the Spanish player. 1-0 to the champions.

Kyle Walker having to be mindful at the back stick as Norwood and Baldock combine before another hopeful cross is thrown over into the home area. City can clear the danger.

Trying to cut a dash through the visitors and their low block before the ball comes back out to Rodri. And they start again in moving the ball from side to side.

Five trophies delivered in 2023. City just keeping the ball at the moment with United sitting deep.

City keeper Ederson has to take care not to drag a high hopeful ball by Norwood over his own line. Don't think that was a shot at goal, but Ederson careful to clasp it.

Lovely passing play by City before Foden sets up Alvarez, but his shot sizzles a few yards wide of goal from edge of box. Home side right into their stride, right away.

A minute's applause then silence for those associated with both clubs who passed away in 2023. A fitting moment of remembrance on the penultimate day of the year. The action is up and running at the Etihad. David Coote is the referee.

Manchester City have never lost a Premier League match to Sheffield United, winning their past six matches against the visitors, who have never scored in five matches away from home against the champions.

City have only lost one of their final games of a calendar year in the past 22 years, that coming in a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool in 2016.

TNT Sports pundits Rio Ferdinand and Jermaine Jenas gave their mid-season awards ahead of Chelsea’s trip to Luton Town, live on TNT Sports. Both have been impressed by Arsenal's Declan Rice following his big summer move from West Ham United, while Jurgen Klopp and Gary O’Neil were both hailed as the best-performing managers in the Premier League. The pair also give their 2024 predictions.

Here is how Pep Guardiola's UEFA Champions League holders claimed the FIFA Club World Cup with a 4-0 win over Brazil's Fluminense in Saudi Arabia.

After winning 3-1 at Everton on Wednesday, this will be their first Premier League match at home since they lifted the Club World Cup.

Cole Palmer starred as Chelsea held off a late Luton Town rally to conclude a disappointing 2023 on a positive note courtesy of a rollercoaster 3-2 victory at Kenilworth Road. The Blues have largely underachieved despite heavy investment in the squad and there was more evidence of how much work still needs to be done following a Jeckyll and Hyde display. Palmer set the ball rolling when he punished an error by Issa Kabore with a clinical strike to mark his return from suspension in style on 12 minutes.

The defending champions can go second in the table with a win over Sheffield Utd today if Aston Villa fail to overcome Burnley at home.

Hear from the City manager here:

Blades manager Chris Wilder with five changes from the 3-2 defeat at fellow strugglers Luton on Tuesday.

Jayden Bogle, Luke Thomas, Oliver Norwood, Anis Ben Slimane and William Osula all start for the visitors, who are trying to move off the bottom of the table with three points against the champions today.

Kevin de Bruyne starts on the bench for City as the injured Belgian playmaker returns to Pep Guardiola's squad for the first time since the opening match of the campaign due to a hamstring problem.

The Premier League champions make two changes from the win at Everton as Mateo Kovacic comes in for Matheus Nunes in midfield, while Josko Gvardiol also starts with John Stones out injured due to an ankle problem.

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Manchester City: Ederson, Walker, Ake, Akanji, Gvardiol, Rodri, Kovacic, Silva, Foden, Grealish, Alvarez Subs: Ortega, Dias, Phillips, De Bruyne, Gomez, Nunes, Bobb, Lewis, Hamilton

Sheffield Utd: Foderingham, Bogle, Baldock, Robinson, Trusty, Thomas, Norwood, Souza, Ben Slimane, Brooks, Osula Subs: Davies, Brewster, McBurnie, Archer, Traore, Osborn, Larouci, Norrington-Davies, Seriki