Man City back on top of Premier League after slim 1-0 victory over Southampton
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Manchester City's Erling Haaland celebrates scoring with Phil Foden in the Premier League clash with Southampton.
Action Images via Reuters
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LONDON – Manchester City are back at the top of the English Premier League table after beating struggling Southampton 1-0 at home on Oct 26.
With the victory, Pep Guardiola’s men have 23 points from nine games, two ahead of Liverpool, who travel to Arsenal on Oct 27 as the title race heats up in this early part of the season.
“We have a lot of respect for all the teams in the Premier League,” City’s Bernardo Silva told Sky Sports. “These guys we played today, I watched the games they played in the season and I think they deserve a lot more points than what they’ve got.
“They press high, they try to build up with the ball. It makes it very difficult to press them because if you go man-to-man in the middle then it’s not easy for our defenders. Tough game for us but very happy with the three points.
“We’re used to that when teams defend deep against us which makes it more difficult, we have to be patient.
“We had our chances to score three or four goals to make it, but they deserve a lot of credit for what they did here today.”
Before the match, Guardiola expressed his respect for the Saints and he continued to heap praise on them.
“The way Southampton played, they are so demanding. Big credit to them, it was not because we were sloppy or flat. I don’t have that feeling,” Guardiola said.
“We created chances and unfortunately couldn’t score the second. I think we were there and sometimes they are good. We have to accept that.”
City got off to a bright start and, in the fourth minute, Ruben Dias fired in a fantastic shot from distance that was saved by Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
That was the warning sign to the Saints, but unfortunately they did not heed it.
Just a minute later, Matheus Nunes sent in a lofted cross into the box and City’s goal-scoring machine Erling Haaland latched on to the ball and finished with a shot into the top of the net to make it 1-0.
It was his 11th goal in nine league matches and also broke an uncharacteristic three-game drought in the English top flight.
The hosts continued their relentless pursuit of a second goal and nearly got it in the ninth minute.
Savinho received a pass from outside the box and blasted towards the middle of the goal, but it was stopped by Ramsdale with a reflex save.
By the 17th minute, City were enjoying a period of possession and passing the ball around, patiently waiting for a chance to increase their lead.
It was all one-way traffic and Savinho was also a constant threat down the flank and swinging in crosses that caused Southampton problems.
Josko Gvardiol then had an opportunity from the edge of the box in the 40th minute, but his effort flew over the bar.
The visitors did have a chance just before half-time, when Cameron Archer fired in a powerful shot from close range. But it hit the crossbar to the relief of City fans.
Guardiola’s side came out of the break firing, as Phil Foden sprinted towards goal but could not find the target as the ball went just wide of the post.
City kept pressing and Haaland just failed to double his tally when his header towards the right side of the goal in the 50th minute was blocked.
He had another good opportunity three minutes later when he collected a cross, but his strike from the six-yard box was a little wide of the left post.
City had struggled against lowly teams of late – they beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 last week only in stoppage time and Guardiola would have wondered what needed to be done to get that second goal.
Haaland again missed another chance when his header in the 63rd minute flew wide of the Southampton goal.
The Saints did not give up looking for an equaliser. But, with time running out and fatigue setting in, James Bree’s cross into the penalty area in the 80th minute was easily dealt with by City.
There were no more goals and Guardiola would have to go back to the drawing board to seek improvements from his side in front of goal, if they are to put up a strong title defence.
But, in the end, it was the three points that mattered for now and it is over to Liverpool to beat Arsenal.
