Classic Pep. Forced into defense by a talented team that enjoyed strong support from a raucous local crowd, City of Manchester Finding their determination on the South Coast and trying to score an ugly 1-0 win on the road, they found a way to acknowledge Sam Allardyce’s return to the Premier League management by fighting hard to get out of a frantic three-point confrontation.
It will not go down as one of the great shows by Pep Guardiola. While there were flashes from the row from Kevin De Bruyne, who made Raheem Sterling’s only target, he was more powerful than City’s beauty in a lot of frantic confrontation. The result was more important than the performance and City did not disappoint, with a win that lifted it four places to fifth, seven points behind Liverpool at the summit.
For Guardiola, the satisfaction came from his team’s discipline. Ilkai Gundogan and Rodri are dominated in midfield while John Stones’ comeback continues at the center of the defense, ensuring this. Southampton Create a little. They were ripe from City and it would be foolish to count them out of the title yet, especially if they could use that win to start their campaign and regain their magic in attack.
Under pressure to prove they were not completely wrong with their stature, City quickly responded to the challenge posed by Ralph Hasenhotel’s team. It was great to watch. Southampton pressed hard early on, led by James Ward Prause and Oriole Romeo in the face of their midfield challenges, but City seemed unimpressed when it settled into a smooth rhythm.
It was as if City were remembering the best of Guardiola’s road, with possession of the ball and outmatching his opponents in midfield, with De Bruyne perilously floating in the number 10 round.
The opening goal came from supremacy in the midfield. When Jan Bednarik failed to get enough headroom in the clearing head, Southampton’s backbone disappeared. The loose ball fell into De Bruyne in acres of space, causing a spell hazard. The advanced Belgian, exchanging passes with Bernardo Silva on the right and a smart lowering that enabled the Pound Sterling to fine-tune the movement of the pieces.
As City’s star dwindled, so did Sterling. Strangely silent in recent months, uncertainty has crept into the striker’s game. In fact, he looked hesitant before scoring the net with a good finish, failing to beat Kyle Walker Peters when he had the chances to run into Southampton’s right back.
In that context, then, it felt as if Sterling’s eighth goal in a faltering campaign might have more significance: could it be the right time to bring Citi back to life? When confidence is hit, it can be difficult to maintain the momentum and City found it difficult to prevent the competition from collapsing further as the half ended, giving Southampton hope for a draw.
Southampton, who fell to fourth, began to put City under pressure. Ederson saved well from Theo Walcott, who would also send cross passes to Che Adams and Danny Ings, neither of whom could turn their heads toward goal.
It was tough for Stones and his partner Robin Dias. What Southampton lacked was the calm De Bruyne showed to score. Musa Genebo wanted a lot of touches on the left wing and Southampton was hit when he came out, injured. Nathan Tella, the 21-year-old striker, struggled after substituting Southampton’s top scorer.
Chances fell against City at the start of the second half. Playing without a traditional striker, the visitors were sometimes slippery. Ferran Torres fired a wide-angle shot. Silva moved into the middle, a role with Torres, and he seemed sure to score when he took advantage of a superb ball from De Bruyne, only to smash McCarthy straight away.
The Fiver: Subscribe and receive our daily soccer email.
In need of a spark, Southampton brought Nathan Redmond to Genebo. Moments later, Ward Prause almost caught Ederson with one of his demonic corners, while City fled when Sterling appeared to be dealing with the area.
However, Southampton’s ideas ran out. Crosses drifted across the city area and lost lanes. With the Stones presenting another leadership show, City were relieved in the end, despite Riyad Mahrez squandering opportunities after knocking off the bench. Maybe the recovery starts here.
“Extreme organizer. Problem solver. Passionate web buff. Internet expert. Devoted travel nerd. Professional troublemaker.”
