Classic Pep. Forced to defend by a talented side who enjoyed hearty backing from a noisy home crowd, Manchester City found their resolve on the south coast and dug in to earn an ugly 1-0 win on the road, finding a way to acknowledge Sam Allardyce’s return to Premier League management by battling hard to emerge from a frantic encounter with three crucial points.
It will not go down as one of the great displays from a Pep Guardiola side. While there were flickers of class from Kevin De Bruyne, who created the only goal for Raheem Sterling, it was more brawn than beauty from City for much of a frantic encounter. The result mattered more than the performance and City did not disappoint, grafting to a win that moves them up four places to fifth, seven points off Liverpool at the summit.
For Guardiola, satisfaction came from his team’s discipline. Ilkay Gündogan and Rodri were controlled in midfield while the resurgence of John Stones continued in central defence, ensuring that Southampton created little. It was mature from City and it would be folly to count them out of the title running just yet, especially if they can use this win to kickstart their campaign and regain their mojo in attack.
Under pressure to prove that they have not completely misplaced their champion mettle, City quickly responded to the challenge set by Ralph Hasenhüttl’s hard-running team. It was fascinating to watch. Southampton pressed hard early on, led by James Ward-Prowse and Oriol Romeu thumping into their challenges in midfield, but City looked unmoved as they settled into a smooth rhythm.
It was as though City were remembering the best of the Guardiola way, hoarding possession and outnumbering their opponents in midfield, with De Bruyne floating menacingly in the No10 role.
The opening goal came from that midfield supremacy. When Jan Bednarek failed to get enough distance on a clearing header, the Southampton spine vanished. The loose ball dropped to De Bruyne in acres of space, spelling danger. The Belgian advanced, exchanged passes with Bernardo Silva on the right and a clever cutback enabled Sterling to polish off a cutting move.
As City’s star has waned, so has Sterling’s. Strangely muted in recent months, uncertainty has crept into the forward’s game. Indeed, he had looked hesitant before finding the net with a crisp finish, failing to beat Kyle Walker-Peters when he had opportunities to run at Southampton’s right-back.
In that context, then, it felt as though Sterling’s eighth goal of a stuttering campaign might have wider significance: could it be the moment to spark City back into life? When confidence has taken a few knocks, though, it can be hard to maintain momentum and City found it hard to stop the contest becoming more broken as the half wore on, giving Southampton hope of a leveller.
Southampton, who slipped down to fourth place, started to place City under pressure. Ederson saved well from Theo Walcott, who would also send in teasing crosses for Che Adams and Danny Ings, neither of whom could direct their headers on target.
It was tough for Stones and his partner, Rúben Dias. What Southampton lacked, though, was the composure De Bruyne displayed for the goal. Moussa Djenepo wanted too many touches on the left wing and Southampton suffered a blow when Ings went off injured. Nathan Tella, a 21-year-old striker, struggled after replacing Southampton’s top scorer.
The chances fell to City at the start of the second half. Playing without a conventional forward, the visitors were slippery at times. Ferran Torres fired an angled shot wide. Silva moved into the middle, rotating with Torres, and looked certain to score when he latched on to a lovely ball from De Bruyne, only to scuff straight at McCarthy.
In need of a spark, Southampton brought on Nathan Redmond for Djenepo. Moments later Ward-Prowse almost caught Ederson out with one of his devilish corners, while City escaped when Sterling appeared to handle in the area.
Yet Southampton run out of ideas. The crosses drifted through the City area and passes went astray. With Stones producing another commanding display, City were comfortable in the end, even though Riyad Mahrez wasted chances after coming off the bench. Perhaps the recovery starts here.