City frustrated in Southampton stalemate | OneFootball

Manchester City’s remarkable goalscoring run came to an end after the defending Premier League champions were held to a goalless draw against Southampton.

Pep Guardiola’s side came into the game having scored 17 goals in our previous four outings, but were frustrated by the Saints’ spirited performance at the Etihad Stadium.

In stark contrast to the midweek win over RB Leipzig, this was a relatively low-key affair, which hinged on two VAR decisions.

Raheem Sterling thought he had scored a 90th minute winner when he reacted quickest to turn in the rebound after substitute Phil Foden’s header was saved, but City’s joy proved short lived as the video check agreed the assistant referee had correctly flagged for offside.

It was agonising for the hosts, who had benefited from an earlier VAR ruling, which overturned a Kyle Walker red card and a penalty in Southampton’s favour after referee Jon Moss checked the pitch-side monitor and judged the right-back had not fouled Adam Armstrong as he darted into the box.

They were the major flashpoints in a contest in which both sides struggled to create clear cut chances.

Our best opportunity fell to Ilkay Gundogan, who headed over unmarked from six-yards after being picked out by Walker’s precise cross, whilst Jan Bednarek stuck his head in the way of a Gabriel Jesus effort which looked destined for the top corner.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men were more than a match for City, defending stoically to limit the attacking threat of a side who had scored freely in recent weeks, but they too struggled to create anything meaningful.

Che Adams dragged an angled drive wide on what was a relatively comfortable afternoon for Ederson and it was the hosts who pushed hardest for a winner in the closing stages.

Guardiola sent Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez on along with Foden in a bid to force the a breakthrough.

Sterling thought he had done so and the Etihad crowd also waited expectantly when Jack Grealish cut the ball back to De Bruyne late on, but the Belgian’s tame effort was blocked as City were left to settle for a point.

Stat Zone

Raheem Sterling made his 200th Premier League appearance for City, the ninth player to reach that tally for the Club, and only the second Englishman after Joe Hart.

What it means

A draw moves City up to second in the Premier League, three points behind Liverpool, who beat Crystal Palace 3-0.

However, we could drop down the table by the end of this round of fixtures. Manchester United, Chelsea, Everton, Brighton and Hove Albion and Tottenham Hotspur could all leapfrog us if they take all three points in their games.

TEAMS

CITY: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Ake, Cancelo, Fernandinho (C) (De Bruyne 65'), Gundogan, Bernardo (Foden 72'), Sterling, Grealish, Jesus (Mahrez 67').

SUBS: Carson, Torres, Mbete, Palmer, Lavia, Wilson-Esbrand.

SOUTHAMPTON: McCarthy, Walker-Peters, Stephens (Salisu 37'), Romeu, Ward-Prowse (C), Armstrong, Adams (Broja 68'), Redmond, Livramento (Perraud 86'), Elyounoussi, Bednarek.

SUBS: Forster, Lyanco Djenepo, Tella, Diallo, Valery.