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Manchester City 2-1 Southampton: Three key players

By Erik Franzo

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 29: Cedric Soares of Southampton attempts to get past Raheem Sterling of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Southampton at Etihad Stadium on November 29, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 29: Cedric Soares of Southampton attempts to get past Raheem Sterling of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Southampton at Etihad Stadium on November 29, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /
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SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 04: Fraser Forster of Southampton during the Premier League match between Southampton and Burnley at St Mary’s Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 04: Fraser Forster of Southampton during the Premier League match between Southampton and Burnley at St Mary’s Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images) /

Fraser Forster

Without the big man making big saves, ten of them to be exact, Southampton would have never stayed in the game. The majority of the shots on target, he should expect to save.  However, his lack of shot-stopping this season has had experts calling for Alex McCarthy or a new first choice goalkeeper.

Against Manchester City, Forster was forced to dive and save multiple hard hit shots. Most of them, he dealt very well with, catching or parrying away from danger.

The biggest save, came when Gabriel Jesus found himself all alone, with a chance to seal the game in the second half. Forster was quick off his line and took a great angle to keep the game at 0-1.

He was the recipient of an early yellow card for time wasting, and his distribution was limited to just pounding the ball down the pitch. One could also criticize the first goal, not necessarily for getting beat on the near post, but for his wall construction, or lack there of.

However, it is hard to say that Forster was not a difference maker in this game.  He had to be on high alert throughout the contest with Manchester City testing him from all angles.