Manchester City went back atop the Premier League table for at least a day as Erling Haaland’s sixth-minute goal was the only marker of a 1-0 win over Southampton at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
City move onto 23 points, two more than Liverpool prior to the Reds’ meeting with Arsenal on Sunday, but they were pushed by Saints. Southampton earned a stoppage-time bid to equalize in possession and a corner, but could not get it over the line.
Matheus Nunes set up Haaland’s league-best 11th goal of the Premier League season, and Haaland might’ve had two or three more goals on a sharper day, as Pep Guardiola’s hosts weren’t at their best following a meeting with Sparta Prague on Wednesday in the UEFA Champions League.
Injuries may have also been an issue, as Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri’s long-term absences were joined by short-term problems for Jack Grealish, Jeremy Doku, and Kyle Walker.
Southampton have taken just one point from their first nine matches, but will be content with their Saturday performance. Only one of Aaron Ramsdale’s four saves was particularly difficult, and Saints kept good hold of the ball in the first half.
It is what it is for both Man City, Saints
Southampton played really well given the venue and the opponent, and Russell Martin can be proud of his players’ commitment to the cause. He’ll also know that his side couldn’t convert on a pair of dangerous counterattacks in the first 60 minutes, and that their inability to find a stoppage-time goal after City left their side of the scoreboard at one after 90 minutes is a wasted opportunity for a points. And this finishes 4-0 on another day if Erling Haaland is atop his finishing skill set instead of in all the right positions but only able to score in the sixth minute. And, perhaps, that’s how Pep Guardiola has to look at this as well. City were the better team against a determined opponent despite a number of injuries. If City fail to get their season goals, it won’t be because of this match. But if they do, well, this will have played its part well if not in a memorable fashion.
Pep Guardiola reaction: Southampton are a determined foe
Guardiola heaped praise on Russell Martin’s men following the game, via the BBC.
“The way they played, they are so demanding,” Guardiola said. “They defend with the ball. You can defend with the ball and they are really good, one of the best in the Premier League. They didn’t create many chances. We created a lot but unfortunately we could not score the second. Big credit to them — it was not because we were sloppy or flat. I don’t have that feeling. I think we were there and sometimes they are good. We have to accept that.”
“The build-up is exceptional. They open the channels. They link well with the striker and every moment makes sense. I knew after what people had said to me about Russell [Martin] and we tasted it today. The players were not bad, they were good. When a team plays that level you have to accept it.”
Manchester City vs Southampton player ratings
(from fotmob.com)
Manchester City vs Southampton player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Manchester City vs Southampton player ratings (from fotmob.com)
What’s next?
City have a midweek League Cup scrap at Tottenham on Wednesday, then go to Bournemouth at 11am ET Saturday.
Saints host Stoke in the League Cup on Tuesday, then entertain Everton at 11am Saturday.
How to watch Manchester City vs Southampton live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 10am ET Saturday (October 26)
Venue: Etihad Stadium — Manchester
TV Channel: Peacock Premium
Streaming: Premier League on Peacock
Manchester City vs Southampton final score: 1-0
Erling Haaland 6'
Manchester City vs Southampton live updates — By Nick Mendola
Haaland misfiring
He scored a great early goal but could’ve had his second and third within a few minutes of restart.
City in firm control but not on the scoreboard.
Halftime — Manchester City 1-0 Southampton
This could well be a multiple-goal lead, but Russell Martin’s interesting plans have been well-executed by Saints.
Southampton has kept a meaningful amount of possession and had the chance to level before the break.
Can they do that for 45 more and make good on an opportunity? City did play at midweek...
Archer slams the bar!
So close to 1-1.
Cameron Archer might’ve been offside and he’s sent into a long 1v1 dribble with the keeper.
Josko Gvardiol makes up ground to stop Archer from a perfect shot but he still gets good muster on a ball that clatters into the bar.
That’s halftime.
Ramsdale keeps it 1-0 near half
Saints swarm to the ball as it falls to Mateo Kovacic outside of the box.
It’s impressive that Ramsdale tracks the Croatian’s powerful shot through the sea of bodies and parries it to relative safety.
Saints are winning possession, but don’t be fooled
Pep Guardiola is letting Russell Martin’s men play with the ball to the tune of better than 50 percent possession.
But City lead and Saints can only have the ball in their half. City seem content with the idea that Saints will make mistakes with the ball.
And they are, but City are yet to find a second. 34th minute.
Erling Haaland goal! Man City 1-0 Southampton (6th minute)
Erling Haaland would’ve drawn a penalty had he not scored this, but he doesn’t need the spot.
With a man hauling him down, Haaland jabs his leg out and still gets a remarkable amount of power on Matheus Nunes cross.
He may be the closest thing to physically unstoppable we’ve ever seen since Messi.
Manchester City lineup
Ederson, Lewis, Akanji, Dias (C), Gvardiol, Kovačić, Bernardo, Nunes, Savinho, Foden, Haaland
Southampton lineup
Ramsdale, Walker-Peters, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Stephens, Manning, Downes, Lallana, Fernandes, Dibling, Archer
Manchester City focus, team news
City are deep but missing some phenomenal talents in Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri, and Jack Grealish. Erling Haaland will likely start again on the heels of his magnificent midweek back-to-goal stunner.
OUT: Rodri (knee - out for season), Kevin De Bruyne (groin), Kyle Walker (other), Jack Grealish (undisclosed), Jeremy Doku (undisclosed), Oscar Bobb (lower leg)
Southampton focus, team news
Yukinari Sugawara would be a big absence for Saints. He’s not the difference between a win and a loss at City, but he may well aid the margin of defeat.
OUT: Gavin Bazunu (Achilles), Ross Stewart (muscular), William Smallbone (thigh), Ryan Fraser (suspension) | QUESTIONABLE: Yukinari Sugawara (ankle)
Manchester City vs Southampton prediction
There are surprising upsets and then there are shocks. Given the stakes, the venue, and the hosts, Saints will be waiting at least another week for a three-point haul. Man City 4-1 Southampton.
