Manchester City 2-1 Southampton: Saints do themselves proud with determined defensive display

Southampton had the lead at the Etihad Stadium for 70 minutes but eventually fell to a 2-1 defeat after two late goals from Manchester City.

Saints went ahead through James Ward-Prowse’s close-range finish and defended their slender advantage with the dogged determination that they need to get themselves out of trouble this season.

However, strikes from Sergio Aguero and Kyle Walker eventually secured City a late win to help them stay within reach of Liverpool at the top of the table.

Despite losing four of their last five games in all competitions, Saints began the game with no fear and grabbed a shock lead after 13 minutes.

Nathan Redmond got down the right and cut the ball back to Stuart Armstrong to fire a stinging shot at goal. His effort should have been stopped by a goalkeeper of Ederson’s quality, but James Ward-Prowse was on hand to hook home the rebound when the Brazilian spilled.

For all of their inevitable 75% of possession and dangerous looking attacks throughout the first-half, City failed to have a shot on target and hadn’t tested Alex McCarthy at all.

Saints on the other hand had three efforts on target and had defended with the dogged determination that they so vitally need to recover from their 9-0 loss to Leicester.

With the Etihad crowd so expecting a stroll in the park for their side and audibly frustrated by their side, could Saints hold onto their lead for longer and work towards a superb win?

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The frustration had got to manager Pep Guardiola too and he took off midfield magician David Silva at the start of the second-half to bring on an extra striker in Gabriel Jesus.

Saints really thought it would be their day when the normally predatory Sergio Aguero – with seven goals and three assists in previous meetings with them – headed over, but it would be the Argentine who would level the game for his side with 20 minutes remaining.

The first lapse in concentration in defence by the visitors saw Kyle Walker get in down the right and fire a low cross to the striker to fired in through McCarthy’s legs.

It would be another test of Saints’ determination as they looked to hold on to a vital point at the Premier League champions in the final stages of the match.

After a bizarre moment that saw City with an indirect free-kick from inside the area, City did get their lead as McCarthy pushed an Angelino cross straight to Kyle Walker and the full-back found the net calmly at the back post.

It will be hugely disappointing for Saints to come away with nothing after the defensive display that they had put in, but they can surely take huge confidence into the run of games that is upcoming after two determined showings in a week at City.

Manchester City team

Ederson, Walker, Stones, Fernandinho, Angelino, Gundogan, D.Silva (Jesus 46), De Bruyne, B.Silva (Foden 84), Sterling, Aguero (Otamendi 92)

Subs not used: Bravo, Mahrez, Mendy, Cancelo

Saints team

McCarthy, Valery (Danso 75), Stephens, Vestergaard, Bednarek (Adams 87), Hojbjerg, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Armstrong, Redmond, Ings (Djenepo 83)

Subs not used: Gunn, Yoshida, Boufal, Long