Sheffield United had been crying out for a dash of attacking inspiration during their opening-day defeat to Crystal Palace, and new signing Gustavo Hamer delivered it when Forest came to town two Fridays ago, but the Dutchman’s wonder strike was ultimately in vain.
Tricky Trees hotshot Taiwo Awoniyi got on the end of Serge Aurier’s cross to propel Forest ahead with just three minutes gone, and while Hamer drew the Blades level with a magnificent long-range effort, another Aurier delivery was on the money for Chris Wood to head home the winning goal in the 89th minute.
A few more lessons in defending crosses would not go amiss for Paul Heckingbottom’s men, who have shipped all three of their Premier League goals to deliveries into the box so far in the 2023-24 season, finding themselves 16th in the embryonic rankings as a result.
Whether Hamer’s stunning strike against Forest is a sign of things to come for the ex-Coventry City man remains to be seen, but the Blades already appear to be fighting an uphill battle to stay afloat in the top flight after sanctioning the exits of Iliman Ndiaye and Sander Berge earlier this month.
Including friendlies, Sheffield United have now posted five defeats from their last six matches during a miserable summer spell – scoring a mere two goals in the process – leaving the Blades faithful travelling to Bramall Lane on Sunday in faint hope rather than expectation
With the stricken Kevin De Bruyne once again entering the treatment room with a serious hamstring injury, Phil Foden took it upon himself to act as Man City’s creator-in-chief when Newcastle visited the Etihad last Saturday, and the England international’s dazzling display was key to unlocking the staunch Magpies backline.
Perhaps still nursing a European hangover from their successful UEFA Super Cup exploits, Man City required just the one goal to see off Eddie Howe’s men, as Foden picked out Julian Alvarez to launch a peach of a strike into the far corner with just over half an hour played.
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Also boasting a convincing 3-0 success from their opening-day showdown with Burnley, Man City have already assumed a podium place in the early-season standings, although eight-goal Brighton & Hove Albion are keeping the champions in second for the time being.
Now on the hunt for three successive Premier League clean sheets for the first time since December 2021, Man City have a new weapon in their attacking ranks in the shape of Jeremy Doku, confirming the Belgian’s arrival in a £55.8m deal from Rennes on Thursday to bolster their Riyad Mahrez-less attacking ranks.
The 21-year-old could potentially make his Premier League bow against a team whom Man City have beaten in the last five meetings between the two outfits – with five clean sheets in tow – and not since a 2007-08 FA Cup fourth-round tie have Sheffield United beaten the Citizens, when the late Luton Shelton was on target.
