There are various ways to respond when you cost your team a victory. One is to apologize on social media two hours after full-time in a rambling and tiresome manner. Another is to correct your error while you are still in play.
Kyle Walker opted for the latter choice, playing against the team he began his career within the city of his birth.

With five minutes remaining in normal time, his foolish back heel in his own penalty area appeared to have disastrous repercussions for a champions squad still without Pep Guardiola’s first-hand assistance. After having back surgery in Barcelona, the City manager is still recovering.

When Sheffield United was given the ball in a game in which they had little any, they spread it out to the right side of the field and after a short period of time, substitute Jayden Bogle had equalized. Walker must have yearned for the isolation and peace of the Peak District, only a few miles away, while Bramall Lane resonated with the sound of societal ecstasy.

However, Walker found the motivation to make amends, either consciously or from deep within his subconscious sporting soul. It didn’t take long for Walker to be headed for the tunnel at full time as the captain of a successful squad that was once again at the top of the Premier League.

Manchester City went back to the top of the Premier League after a late 2-1 win over Sheffield United on Sunday

Rodri fired Man City to victory, getting onto the end of a Walker cross as Phil Foden controlled the ball for him to strike

Erling Haaland hit the post from a penalty in the first half for Manchester City at Bramall Lane

The forward then netted the opener, heading in from a Jack Grealish cross in the second half

The 33-year-old’s initial reaction was to run to the byline, pass the ball to the substitute Phil Foden, and then watch Julian Alvarez miss a great opportunity. Act 1 of the revival ended there. A minute later, act two occurred, and this time, things turned out differently.

Walker was far and by the second favorite to recover possession as he pursued Yasser Larouci of Sheffield United over to the corner flag after seeing Erling Haaland, who had scored City’s opening goal in the 63rd minute, miss an opportunity to connect with a cross. He seemed to have very little chance of winning the ball, in reality.

However, he managed to do so, and as his opponent collapsed to the ground, Walker once more passed the ball to Foden, who struggled to maintain control. This time, midfielder Rodri came to the rescue and scored the game-winning goal from a distance of roughly 13 yards away.

City had achieved triumph. Walker was able to leave this situation with his head held high. These elements appear to matter constantly to veteran players and those who have won trophies. Perhaps this distinguishes them from one another.

Therefore, City has three victories from three league games this year, whereas Paul Heckingbottom’s club has the opposite record. No points after three games.

The Blades were impressive in their effort and organization here, boosted by a Haaland penalty against a post in the first half. However, they didn’t have a shot of any kind for ten minutes after they fell behind, and in the last minutes of a close game, it caught up with them.

Heckingbottom may benefit in that sense with the addition of forward Cameron Archer from the England Under-21 team. The 21-year-old, who cost £18 million and came from Aston Villa, was introduced before the game but was unable to make his debut because the deal had not yet been finalized.

Jayden Bogle netted a late equaliser for Sheffield United and thought he had rescued a point

Bogle wheels away with his team-mates after a dramatic moment for the newly-promoted side

Instead, Haaland received a lot of attention for a long time due to how frequently this occurs. He had one goal here, missed a penalty and other opportunities, but he was still likely the most crucial player. Simply put, he draws a lot of focus, attention, and energy from rival players.

It was absolutely out of character for him to miss the penalty in the 35th minute after Sheffield United captain John Egan had been called for one of those odd unintended handballs when sliding in to challenge Alvarez. Just about an hour, his objective was not.

But Spaniard Rodri popped up with the winner to ensure City went back to the top of the standings

Kyle Walker made up for his mistake as he pushed Man City on against old side Sheffield United

Despite not producing many clear chances, City held the upper hand in the first half. Wes Foderingham, the goalkeeper for the home team, denied Alvarez from close range while Haaland missed his penalty. By the break, Haaland’s annoyances with himself and what he perceived as the unduly tight attentions of his marker Anel Ahmedhodzic were evident. It was an interesting duel that got hot enough for the referee, Jarred Gillett, to try to cool things down with a quick speech right before the break.

From that moment forward, the city improved. speedier and more acute in their performance. In the 58th minute, Mateo Kovacic passed in Rodri, who missed the far corner by half a foot. However, Foderingham saved his dinked attempt.

But now that the tide was steadily turning in Foderingham’s favor, Haaland rose to head in the cross when Jack Grealish turned George Baldock to the left and stood it up to the far post.