Hasenhuttl hails “world-class” Southampton performance at Man City

Southampton manager hailed his side’s performance against Manchester City as “world-class” after seeing a point deservedly claimed.

Saints kept things tight defensively and limited City’s chances throughout the afternoon and could have even claimed all three points had the decision to award them a second-half penalty not been overturned. After witnessing the game plan come together brilliantly, it seems Hasenhuttl saw the full potential of his team come to the fore.

Speaking to southamptonfc.com after the game, he said:

"“I’m very proud. We had a very, very good week. Everybody in the club and everybody in the team was really working hard this week and I must say we deserved to get something here today, as tactically it was a world-class performance.”"

Southampton’s performance shows Hasenhuttl has a squad up for the fight

A lot was made of some players leaving Saints during the summer after running down their contracts and seemingly wanting a new challenge – something that Danny Ings, Ryan Bertrand and Jannik Vestergaard all got.

Perhaps the team would not be capable of putting in performances like yesterday if they had not shifted some players on and replaced them with young, hungry talent with a determination to prove themselves.

Three changes were made to the team and two came in defence – making the eventual result even more impressive because of the work the backline would have to get through against the multi-million pound line-up facing them.

Jan Bednarek put in a good showing despite having to sit on the bench for much of the season up to that point and Kyle Walker-Peters performed well at left-back whilst blocking potential avenues of attack for Riyad Mahrez, proving further that depth has indeed been improved for this campaign.

Saints now have four points under their belt and this is a good return given the teams that they have had to play so far. They will be searching for the illusive first win of the season when they take on Wolves next weekend but things certainly look positive with a group of players willing to give their all for the collective cause.