Man City 1-0 Southampton
by Harry De Cosemo
at City of Manchester Stadium

IT WOULD be easy to say Manchester City, who went top of the league after their 1-0 win over Southampton at the City of Manchester Stadium, are simply lacking their edge because key players are injured.

Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku, Kyle Walker and Rodri were all missing, and it was down to Erling Haaland to make the difference again. But there was a lack of punch about the City throughout.

Pep Guardiola praised Southampton’s performance and admitted it stopped City doing what they planned.

“If they had more possession, it’s because they are good,” he said.

“We don’t like it — but it’s not because we were bad. It’s because they were good.

“When it happens, accept it and learn. Maybe in the future we can use it. As a manager, I learn a lot from opponents.

“It’s not easy, but we create enough chances to win better. I like to win in that way, it proves in the last two games against Wolves and Southampton, who right now are bottom of the league.

“Look how difficult it was. When people say in the Premier League, everyone can beat everyone, that is the truth.

“Every game is a battle, is so difficult. Any complaints or regrets about my team? When the opponent is good, you have to accept it. This is what happened.”

Although Southampton enjoyed an early spell of possession, any momentum they were building was quelled by Haaland inside five minutes.

With his first involvement, and off balance in the area, he still found the net brilliantly from Nunes’s cross. Suddenly, what was a tall order now felt like a mountain to climb for the Saints.

But the onslaught didn’t arrive as expected. City were guilty of overplaying outside the area, allowing Southampton to crowd their area and keep them at bay.

There was an edge of frustration in the crowd as Josko Gvardiol fired well over the bar. Aaron Ramsdale’s unorthodox save denied Mateo Kovacic two minutes from the break.

City instantly looked more energetic after the restart. Savinho sprung down the left and released the ball to Phil Foden around 20 yards from a central area, firing wide.

Jan Bednarek and Taylor Harwood-Bellis then made vital headed clearances, but it felt ominous for Southampton again, before a stunning Ramadale save denied Haaland from a yard out.

Just past the hour, Haaland was again denied by a combination of Ramsdale and Bednarek. The crowd was growing restless and only a second goal would appease.

But it didn’t come. From the fifth minute, City’s win felt inevitable. They are so strong mentally and so tactically innovative.

For all the obvious talent on the pitch, Guardiola remains their jewel; their difference maker, even more so than Haaland.

It is now 19 league goals scored by City this season but 10 from Haaland; Savinho’s presence should mean defences are stretched, while Foden and Bernardo Silva make the most of the space left behind.

But even though it never felt likely Southampton would score, it is hard to escape the fact that City are missing something beyond those on the treatment table.