Manchester City vs Southampton LIVE: Premier League result, score and reaction after Haaland winner
Follow all the reaction after City beat Saints
Manchester City beat Southampton today in the Premier League to move top of the table - at least until Sunday, when rivals Arsenal and Liverpool face off in North London.
City would certainly have expected victory against winless Saints and that duly arrived, but by a narrower scoreline than some imagined, with Erling Haaland’s fifth-minute goal the only one of the game in a 1-0 win for Pep Guardiola’s team. Matheus Nunes continued his recent good run with another assist for the striker, but the league’s top scorer spurned several chances to add to his tally.
Saints will feel the result is far from their worst of the campaign but they remain down at the foot of the table and without a win, needing a quick pickup if they’re not to make an immediate return to the Championship
Follow the latest reaction from the Premier League below:
Manchester City vs Southampton
Southampton just can't get out of their half at the moment, they have everyone back behind the ball soaking up the pressure. You can sense that a City goal is coming, they look eager to double their advantage.
Manchester City vs Southampton
CHANCE! Haaland with another opportunity in front of goal! The striker is picked up at the far post in the box and tries to squeeze a header in from a tight angle. However, the angle is too tight and Bednarek is able to clear the danger. Harwood-Bellis seemed to be pulling Haaland back then, but nothing is given by the officials.
Manchester City vs Southampton
Southampton will probably be fairly pleased with the game at the moment, despite being a goal down, they are defending well and are trying to have a good themselves. They break quickly, keeping the ball in the City final third, but eventually get crowded out before anyone can get a shot away.
Manchester City vs Southampton
Another Saints change here, with Lallana the man coming off and he's been replaced by Aribo.
Manchester City vs Southampton
Russell Martin has picked up just one point in his first eight Premier League matches as Southampton manager (D1 L7) – in Premier League history, only Mick McCarthy has ever won fewer points in his first eight games (zero).
Manchester City vs Southampton
This is much better from City, they are pressing forward much quicker and carving out more opportunities to try and get a second goal. You have to think that another goal, would probably be enough for City today, with Saints not offering much themselves at the other end.
Manchester City vs Southampton
CHANCE! Haaland should make it 2-0! How did he miss? Nunes whips a superb low cross into the penalty area and Haaland meets it at the far post and seems to have a tap-in from close range. However, he somehow sends it wide of the post!
Manchester City vs Southampton
OFF THE LINE! A corner is whipped in from the right and met by the head of Haaland, who powers a header towards the top right corner of the net. However, Harwood-Bellis does brilliantly to get back and head it off the line. Great defending by the centre-back.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments