Gabriel Jesus ended a run of nine matches without a goal as his early strike was enough for Manchester City to beat Sheffield United.
The Brazilian put City ahead on nine minutes, tapping in after good work from Ferran Torres.
The league leaders controlled possession but struggled to threaten in the first half beyond Bernardo Silva’s header straight at Aaron Ramsdale.
City created more in the second half, with Ruben Dias heading wide from Ilkay Gundogan’s corner, while Oleksandr Zinchenko’s shot from distance was well saved.
Sheff Utd stayed in touch and almost produced a late equaliser when John Fleck’s shot fizzed narrowly wide.
At the other end Ramsdale denied Jesus a second goal with a superb save in added time.
City’s eighth successive victory keeps them top on 44 points, four clear of Manchester United ahead of their match with Arsenal.
Sheff Utd stay bottom on eight points.