Manchester City beat Southampton today in the Premier League to move top of the table - at least until Sunday, when rivals Arsenal and Liverpool face off in North London.
City would certainly have expected victory against winless Saints and that duly arrived, but by a narrower scoreline than some imagined, with Erling Haaland’s fifth-minute goal the only one of the game in a 1-0 win for Pep Guardiola’s team. Matheus Nunes continued his recent good run with another assist for the striker, but the league’s top scorer spurned several chances to add to his tally.
Saints will feel the result is far from their worst of the campaign but they remain down at the foot of the table and without a win, needing a quick pickup if they’re not to make an immediate return to the Championship
Follow the latest reaction from the Premier League below:
Manchester City vs Southampton LIVE: Premier League updates
- Manchester City XI: Ederson, Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, Kovačić, Silva, Savinho, Nunes, Foden, Haaland
- Southampton XI: Ramsdale, Walker-Peters, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Stephens, Manning, Dibling, Lallana, Downes, Fernandes, Archer
- GOAL 5’ - Haaland beats the defender to the ball to pounce from close range (1-0)
Manchester City FC 1 - 0 Southampton FC
Man City milestone arrives with an air of inevitability - and a lead of the Premier League table
17:24 , Karl MatchettThere is a case for calling this Russell Martin’s best result as a Premier League manager. Which, if true, means an achievement is also an indictment. But what threatened to be the biggest mismatch in the division was decided by a lone goal. Southampton left the Etihad Stadium unbloodied but with one point to show from their nine games. Manchester City departed top of the league.
Much as the scoreline suggested Southampton surpassed expectations, there was still a predictability. A home match against a lesser side can come with the guarantee of a City win, the near-guarantee of an Erling Haaland goal. The surprise may be that the Norwegian got only one. His has been an intriguing week, Haaland scoring one of his most remarkable goals, with his spectacular volley against Sparta Prague, but missing several simpler chances. He has three goals to show for two games at the Etihad Stadium, but could have had hat-tricks in each.
He has not been clinical but, on Wednesday, Pep Guardiola noted one of the idiosyncratic features of Haaland’s game. If the Norwegian has very few touches, a very high percentage of them can be shots. Even as Southampton sought to crowd him out, with three centre-backs in a packed penalty area, as Haaland had only 20 touches, eight of them were attempts at goal.
City’s eventual tally stood at 22. Obdurate as Southampton were, defeat could have been heavier Within a couple of minutes, Taylor Harwood-Bellis made a goal-line clearance to repel Haaland’s header and there was a barely credible miss from the Norwegian, shooting wide from two yards after the impressive Savinho’s low cross. Late, there was a similarly strange moment when, with the goal gaping, Haaland tried to head the ball to a teammate instead.
In the 96th minute, Aaron Ramsdale made him a fine block to deny him a second goal. Haaland only showed his ruthless streak once.
Report:
Man City milestone arrives with inevitability - and the lead of the Premier League
Manchester City vs Southampton
17:05Manchester City secure all three points against Southampton, with Haaland’s fifth-minute strike enough to see off Southampton at the Etihad. City pressed forward in search of another to double their advantage, but just couldn’t find the back of the net, with Haaland seeing his header cleared off the line by Harwood-Bellis, before the striker was also denied by Ramsdale late on. Southampton hung in there, defending well in numbers and trying to break forward on the counter when they could, with Armstrong going closest in the second half. However, neither side could register and City saw the game out to wrap up a 1-0 win. This victory moves City top of the table, ahead of next weekends match against Bournemouth. However, they also feature in midweek, against Tottenham in the EFL Cup. Meanwhile Southampton remain 19th and without a win this season and they face Stoke City in the EFL Cup on Tuesday, before welcoming Everton next weekend in the league. That’s all from us today, we hope you enjoyed the game!
Manchester City vs Southampton
16:58Substitution Rico Henry Mark Lewis John Stones
Manchester City vs Southampton
16:57FULL-TIME: MANCHESTER CITY 1-0 SOUTHAMPTON
Manchester City vs Southampton
16:57SAVE! Ramsdale with a superb stop to deny Haaland! Foden feeds Haaland through on goal and the striker only has the keeper to beat, but Ramsdale races off his line to close the gap and makes an excellent save.
Manchester City vs Southampton
16:55City are having to do the defending now, they've got everyone sitting deep as Southampton pile on the pressure in stoppage time.
Manchester City vs Southampton
16:54We're deep into stoppage time now, there's been six minutes added on, so plenty of time for Southampton to try and score a late goal. They win a corner, their first of the game, can they create something?
Manchester City vs Southampton
16:50It's quiet inside the Etihad, with Southampton supporters making more noise at the moment in these final few stages. Can their side nick a late equaliser?
Manchester City vs Southampton
16:48Yellow Card Mateo Kovačić
Manchester City vs Southampton
16:47There's not much on for City in the final third, so Akanji goes for goal from distance, but his effort is straight at Ramsdale, who makes a comfortable save.
Manchester City vs Southampton
16:47Substitution Flynn Downes Kamaldeen Sulemana
Manchester City vs Southampton
16:47Substitution Matheus Luiz Nunes İlkay Gündoğan
Manchester City vs Southampton
16:43Ramsdale is fine to continue, but now Downes is receiving some treatment by the Southampton medical team after he gets his ankle clipped by Savinho.
Manchester City vs Southampton
16:42We're into the final 10 minutes of the game now, will we see any more goals? City are keen to get a second which would wrap up the three points.
Manchester City vs Southampton
16:40Stoppage in play here as Ramsdale is down receiving some treatment after a collision with Bednarek after a slight push from Savinho. There didn't seem to be much contact, but the keeper appears to be in some discomfort.
Manchester City vs Southampton
16:37Substitution Ryan Phelim Manning James Patrick Bree
Manchester City vs Southampton
16:37CLOSE! Southampton get forward quickly, with Archer racing down the left and finding Aribo in the box, the ball then comes out to Armstrong on the right, who has time to get a shot away. However, his powerful effort flies just over the crossbar. Really good move and chance for the visitors.
Manchester City vs Southampton
16:33No sign of any chances by Guardiola just yet, they are a bit short on numbers at the moment due to injuries, naming only seven substitutes on the bench today.
Manchester City vs Southampton
16:32Harwood-Bellis has defended well for Southampton today and he's once again on hand to block an effort from Gvardiol, after the defender found space down the left in the penalty area.
Manchester City vs Southampton
16:30City are on their longest ever unbeaten league run, going 31 Premier League games without defeat since losing to Aston Villa last December (W25 D6). They’ve fallen behind 12 times in that run and come back to win 10 of those games (D2).
Manchester City vs Southampton
16:30Southampton just can't get out of their half at the moment, they have everyone back behind the ball soaking up the pressure. You can sense that a City goal is coming, they look eager to double their advantage.
Manchester City vs Southampton
16:28CHANCE! Haaland with another opportunity in front of goal! The striker is picked up at the far post in the box and tries to squeeze a header in from a tight angle. However, the angle is too tight and Bednarek is able to clear the danger. Harwood-Bellis seemed to be pulling Haaland back then, but nothing is given by the officials.
Manchester City vs Southampton
16:24Southampton will probably be fairly pleased with the game at the moment, despite being a goal down, they are defending well and are trying to have a good themselves. They break quickly, keeping the ball in the City final third, but eventually get crowded out before anyone can get a shot away.
Manchester City vs Southampton
16:20Another Saints change here, with Lallana the man coming off and he's been replaced by Aribo.
Manchester City vs Southampton
16:16Yellow Card Adam David Lallana
Manchester City vs Southampton
16:16Russell Martin has picked up just one point in his first eight Premier League matches as Southampton manager (D1 L7) – in Premier League history, only Mick McCarthy has ever won fewer points in his first eight games (zero).
Manchester City vs Southampton
16:14This is much better from City, they are pressing forward much quicker and carving out more opportunities to try and get a second goal. You have to think that another goal, would probably be enough for City today, with Saints not offering much themselves at the other end.
Manchester City vs Southampton
16:13CHANCE! Haaland should make it 2-0! How did he miss? Nunes whips a superb low cross into the penalty area and Haaland meets it at the far post and seems to have a tap-in from close range. However, he somehow sends it wide of the post!
Manchester City vs Southampton
16:11OFF THE LINE! A corner is whipped in from the right and met by the head of Haaland, who powers a header towards the top right corner of the net. However, Harwood-Bellis does brilliantly to get back and head it off the line. Great defending by the centre-back.
Manchester City vs Southampton
16:10Good chance! Foden whips a lovely free-kick deep into the penalty area, which Gvardiol heads back across goal towards Haaland, but Southampton get defenders back and clear it away for a corner.
Manchester City vs Southampton
16:08Yellow Card Adam James Armstrong
Manchester City vs Southampton
16:07CLOSE! City break forward quickly after the restart and race up the pitch, with Foden getting the ball on the edge of the box and unleashing an effort towards the bottom right corner of the net. However, it flies just wide of the post.
Manchester City vs Southampton
16:05The second half is under way!
Manchester City vs Southampton
16:05Southampton have made a substitution ahead of the second half, with Dibling replaced by Armstrong.
Manchester City vs Southampton
15:59Despite going down early on, Southampton have defended well in numbers for much of the half and have kept City quiet in the final third. They've also shown that they can cause problems at the other end, with the Archer chance late on a real warning to the hosts.
Manchester City vs Southampton
15:57City lead 1-0 at the break after Haaland ended his Premier League drought by opening the scoring within the first five minutes. Nunes did well down the left wing and Haaland held off the challenge of Bednarek to send the ball into the back of the net. Following the quick start there was a lull in the game, with City looking comfortable but unable to carve out any more goalscoring opportunities until late on in the half. Haaland and Kovavic both had good chances near to the break, but couldn’t find a way through and then Southampton almost caught them out in stoppage time, as Archer raced clear on the counter and only had Ederson to beat, but his strike hit the crossbar.
Manchester City vs Southampton
15:51HALF-TIME: MANCHESTER CITY 1-0 SOUTHAMPTON
Manchester City vs Southampton
15:49CHANCE! So close to a Southampton equaliser! Archer races through on goal after a quick Saints break and the striker only has Ederson to beat, but he blasts his strike against the crossbar! Superb move by the visitors and they were so close to going level.
Manchester City vs Southampton
15:47SAVE! Gvardiol lays the ball off to Kovacic on the edge of the box, who unleashes a powerful strike towards goal, but it's too close to Ramsdale who has to be alert and makes a strong save to deny the Croatian.
Manchester City vs Southampton
15:45CHANCE! City counter quickly and Haaland breaks through on goal, but he doesn't seem to get the ball out of his feet quickly enough and Southampton get players back and manage to block the strikers effort.
Manchester City vs Southampton
15:45Yellow Card Flynn Downes
Manchester City vs Southampton
15:43Gvardiol tries his luck from distance after being given plenty time and space, but the defenders shot flies way over the Southampton crossbar.
Manchester City vs Southampton
15:41NO PENALTY! VAR agree with the decision on the pitch and it's just a City corner. It would've been a bit harsh, Harwood-Bellis couldn't really get his arm out of way from such close range.
Manchester City vs Southampton
15:40PENALTY CHECK! Bernardo Silva races forward down the left wing, gets past Walker-Peters and tries to feed Haaland in the box, but Harwood-Bellis gets across and makes a great block to turn it out of play for a corner. As he went to ground, the ball struck his leg and then arm, so VAR are going to take a look. The referee said no penalty.
Manchester City vs Southampton
15:38It's fairly quiet inside the Ethiad at the moment, with neither side really threatening in front of goal. City look comfortable, but they aren't passing the ball quick enough to open Saints up at the back.
Manchester City vs Southampton
15:35City are camped inside the Saints half at the moment, winning a number of consecutive corners to put pressure on the visitors defence. However, they defend well and eventually clear the danger and give themselves a bit of a breather.
Manchester City vs Southampton
15:33We're at the half an hour mark now and it's City who lead 1-0 thanks to Haaland's strike after just five minutes. They hosts have controlled much of the game, but Southampton have defended well and prevented anymore goalscoring chances.
Manchester City vs Southampton
15:31Southampton lose the ball in a dangerous position and Savinho races forward with it on the counter, he cuts inside and tries to get a shot away, but the visitors get enough players back to crowd the winger out and prevent the shot.
Manchester City vs Southampton
15:29Southampton have lost seven of their eight Premier League games this season, drawing the other against Ipswich in September. It’s just the second time the Saints have ever failed to win their opening eight matches of a league campaign, after 1998-99 (first 9).
Manchester City vs Southampton
15:26Blocked! Kovacic gets a shot away in the box, but Harwood-Bellis throws himself at the effort and makes an excellent block to prevent it from flying towards goal.
Manchester City vs Southampton
15:24Nice bit of possession here for Southampton, but it's all in their own half as City are pressing high to try and win it back quickly. The passing has been good, playing it quickly, but it's just not in the right area of the pitch to cause the hosts any problems.
Manchester City vs Southampton
15:22Foden has a good chance to get the ball into the box from a free-kick after being brought down by Lallana, but his delivery is too deep and Dias is unable to stop it from flying out of play.
Manchester City vs Southampton
15:21Plenty of possession for City, but they are yet to carve open an opportunity to score the second of the game, with Southampton getting numbers back and limiting the amount of space they've go to play into.
Manchester City vs Southampton
15:18Nunes is playing more out on the left-wing today and he's been excellent so far, getting Manning on a few occasions and getting crossing into the penalty area from the byline.
Manchester City vs Southampton
15:18Since losing three consecutive Premier League home games against Southampton between 2001 and 2004, City are unbeaten in their last 12 against them at the Etihad Stadium (W10 D2).
Manchester City vs Southampton
15:18Decent play by Dibling to win a free-kick just inside the City half and then play a quick free-kick to set Southampton up on the counter. However, Akanji defends well and sees the ball out of play for a goal-kick.
Manchester City vs Southampton
15:18Ederson has only kept one clean sheet in the Premier League for City this season, so if they can work something in the final third, then they could be confident of getting on the scoresheet today.
Manchester City vs Southampton
15:09It's all City at the moment, they are pressing forward in search of a quick second goal and Southampton are having to sit deep to soak up all the pressure in their final third.
Manchester City vs Southampton
15:08Assist Matheus Luiz Nunes
Manchester City vs Southampton
15:07Goal Erling Braut Haaland
Manchester City vs Southampton
15:07Decent effort! Southampton sit deep and City get into the final third, with the ball coming out to Dias around 25 yards out and the defender tries his luck with an effort from distance. It's a powerful shot, but too close to Ramsdale, who makes a good save.
Manchester City vs Southampton
15:04It took City just over two minutes to open the scoring against Sparta Prague in midweek, with Foden scoring the first goal of the game with a lovely finish.
Manchester City vs Southampton
15:02City get us under way!
Manchester City vs Southampton
14:58The teams are out on the pitch and kick-off is just a few minutes away, stay tuned for all the match action!
Manchester City vs Southampton
14:58Meanwhile Russell Martin has made two changes to his Saints side, with Sugawara and Aribo missing out and they have been replaced by Lallana and Stephens, who returns following a five-match suspension after his sending off against Manchester United.
Manchester City vs Southampton
14:53Pep Guardiola has made four changes to the side that beat Sparta Prague in midweek, with Ortega, Stones, Ake and Gundogan all dropping to the bench and they’ve been replaced by Ederson, Gvardiol, Dias and Kovacic in the starting line-up.
Manchester City vs Southampton
14:48SOUTHAMPTON SUBS: Alex McCarthy, Joe Aribo, Adam Armstrong, James Bree, Yukinari Sugawara, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Maxwel Cornet, Lesley Ugochukwu, Paul Onuachu.
Manchester City vs Southampton
14:48SOUTHAMPTON (5-4-1): Aaron Ramsdale; Ryan Manning, Jack Stephens, Jan Bednarek, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Kyle Walker-Peters; Adam Lallana, Mateus Fernandes, Flynn Downes, Tyler Dibling; Cameron Archer.
Manchester City vs Southampton
14:43MAN CITY SUBS: John Stones, Nathan Ake, Stefan Ortega, Ilkay Gundogan, Scott Carson, Nico O’Reilly, James McAtee.
Manchester City vs Southampton
14:43MAN CITY (4-1-4-1): Ederson; Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, Rico Lewis; Mateo Kovacic; Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, Matheus Nunes, Savinho; Erling Haaland.
Manchester City vs Southampton
14:37Meanwhile Southampton are yet to win this season, suffering seven defeats and one draw, they sit 19th in the table after throwing away a 2-0 lead against Leicester last weekend to lose 3-2 late in stoppage time, with Ryan Fraser also being shown a straight red card in the defeat.
Manchester City vs Southampton
14:32City come into today’s game on the back of an impressive 5-0 victory in the Champions League on Wednesday, to remain unbeaten in Europe. They’re also unbeaten in the Premier League so far this season and sit second in the table, but had to wait until the 95th minute last time out against Wolves to secure all three points at Molineux.
Manchester City vs Southampton
14:32Hello and welcome to our LIVE match commentary of the Premier League clash between Manchester City and Southampton at the Etihad.
Confirmed lineups - Man City v Saints
13:53 , Karl MatchettManchester City XI: Ederson, Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, Kovačić, Silva, Savinho, Nunes, Foden, Haaland
Southampton XI: Ramsdale, Walker-Peters, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Stephens, Manning, Dibling, Lallana, Downes, Fernandes, Archer
Manchester City vs Southampton
13:00Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
