Manchester City 1 Southampton 1
Pep Guardiola is not used to going a month without a victory, but a frustrating period for Manchester City continues. Southampton produced a disciplined and dynamic display to deny City a first win since late September, on an afternoon John Stones will want to forget.
A bad error from Stones gifted Nathan Redmond a goal in the first half – the defender woefully misplacing a pass – and had an effort of his own ruled out moments later. Kelechi Iheanacho’s equaliser could have prompted a swift resurgence but it is easy to see why this Southampton side have progressed so significantly in recent weeks.
Claude Puel has established a high-pressing attack and well-organised defensive unit. They thwarted City’s attempts at a comeback and the result means Guardiola has not won a league game in three for the first time since the end of the 2014/15 season at Bayern Munich. It is the first time he has gone without a win in five overall since 2009.
Vincent Kompany and Sergio Agüero returned to the City starting line-up after the 4-0 defeat in Barcelona, with Guardiola selecting a three-man defence including the Belgian, Stones and Aleksandar Kolarov.
Yet the same defence were put under intense pressure by Southampton’s forward triumvirate of Redmond, Charlie Austin and Dusan Tadic during a first when City could not register a single shot on target for the first time in 15 matches under Guardiola.
Credit must go to Puel and Southampton, who never allowed Claudio Bravo an easy option when the Chilean goalkeeper was looking to quickly distribute. They were similarly focused in defence – José Fonte and Virgil van Dijk demonstrating just why they had only conceded seven Premier League goals before this match.
In truth, goalmouth action was limited during an opening half played with little space. Jordy Clasie blazed over Bravo’s crossbar after a slick Southampton move after 20 minutes and soon after Kevin De Bruyne almost slid Agüero through one-on-one.
However, the turning point came through Stones’ error, a major lapse in awareness from the defender. In the 28th minute the former Everton centre-half played a blind pass back to Kompany, misdirecting it severely and laying the ball on a plate for Redmond, who rounded Bravo to finish coolly.
Perhaps such faux pas should be expected as City adapt to Guardiola’s approach of consistently playing out from the back, but it was a significant blunder. Stones thought he had made amends immediately when finishing well from De Bruyne’s deep free-kick, only for the linesman to signal offside against Agüero.
The atmosphere was subdued to say the least, as City’s first shot only came in the 38th minute, with Ilkay Gundogan dragging tamely wide. Iheanacho replaced De Bruyne at half-time, and City upped their intensity.
Indeed, it was Iheanacho who brought them level in the 55th minute with a well-worked goal. Fernandinho sprayed a fine ball over the top for Leroy Sané, who pulled back across the penalty area for the Nigerian youngster to finish first time into the bottom corner.
It was a decisive strike and City’s increased pressure coincided with a succession of yellow cards, with tempers raised. Iheanacho certainly added a new dynamic and almost squared for David Silva in the 64th minute, as blue shirts began to swarm forward in numbers.
Gundogan and Silva forced excellent saves from Fraser Forster, before Austin had a fine opportunity after being fed by the substitute Sofiane Boufal, only to fire straight at Bravo.
Jesús Navas was brought on to replace Kompany late on, but City could not craft clear opportunities despite late pressure.
(Guardian service)
