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Southampton vs Manchester City: Premier League – Saints Player Ratings

By Erik Franzo

Southampton's English striker Danny Ings (C) leaves the game after picking up an injury as Southampton's English midfielder Nathan Tella (L) comes on in his place during the English Premier League football match between Southampton and Manchester City at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton, southern England on December 19, 2020. (Photo by Naomi Baker / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by NAOMI BAKER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Southampton's English striker Danny Ings (C) leaves the game after picking up an injury as Southampton's English midfielder Nathan Tella (L) comes on in his place during the English Premier League football match between Southampton and Manchester City at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton, southern England on December 19, 2020. (Photo by Naomi Baker / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by NAOMI BAKER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Southampton’s English midfielder Theo Walcott (C) (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Southampton’s English midfielder Theo Walcott (C) (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Southampton put on a good show, but were held scoreless for just the second time this season as they fell to Manchester City 0-1.

Rest is not in the repertoire for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s squad.  Stuart Armstrong was the only change after Wednesday’s draw at Arsenal and it wasn’t much of a surprise with the midfielder looking leggy.  Moussa Djenepo earned the start over Nathan Redmond in his place and there will be plenty of speculation as to why?  Djenepo did look more dangerous midweek, but many would be expecting Redmond’s experience.  The position battle is one to watch for the future, although it could be that Hasenhuttl sees Redmond as the perfect super-sub.

Danny Ings limped out of the game before the 40th minute.  The question will be posed as to why he was risked for a third time in a week coming off injury?  Ralph’s a risk taker, but he certainly lost this bet.  Ings did look unconcerned as he walked down the tunnel, but losing your star striker for any additional period of time is rough.  Nathan Tella was given the call with a 9 player bench and ahead of options like Nathan Redmond, Dan N’Lundulu, Stuart Armstrong and Shane Long.

Raheem Sterling was the difference in a match where Southampton went toe to toe with some of the Premier League best.  Kevin De Bruyne provided the assist, but the Saints kept him under wraps for the majority of the match.  The half finished 0-1 and the game finished 0-1, but the red and whites proved they have come so far in a year.

Nathan Redmond and Dan N’Lundulu offered little to change the match as City used game management to close it out.  Oriol Romeu earned his 5th yellow, suggesting we should see Ibrahima Diallo’s full debut against Fulham.  Although, the rest of the team made it through a tough three game week where 4 points were earned, but a few were clearly left on the table.

Regardless of the loss, it was an excellent team performance highlighted by a number of individual showings.  Here are the player ratings for the Southampton players who were flying high even though they fell to Manchester City.