Southampton 0, Manchester City 0
Southampton’s fierce rearguard action earned them the point they needed to avoid ending the season as the joint worst side in Premier League history.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Saints’ 12th point of the season – from only their third clean sheet – overhauled the record jointly held with Derby but also prevented City from drawing level with Arsenal in second place – they remain in third place but still have Champions League qualification in their hands with their two remaining games of the season.
Pep Guardiola’s side looked short of ideas to penetrate the kind of resolute defending that Southampton had neglected to do for most of the season.
City had the benefit of fit-again striker Erling Haaland while Kevin De Bruyne looked unable to pick apart the stacked defence at St Mary’s to continue their 5 game winning streak.
City’s best chances came towards the end of the game – their desperation saw Ruben Dias’ header saved by Aaron Ramsdale while Omar Marmoush hit the crossbar from range.
Dias went on TV to voice his frustration at Southampton’s spoiling tactics that won them the point.
He said: “They don’t even try to play, they’re just wasting time the whole game.
“They were just sitting around.
“We had chances but didn’t score. It is what it is. We will take the point and move forward.”
City boss Pep Guardiola played down those remarks, explaining that Southampton “can do whetever they want” but added that “our duty is to break them.
“We had the chances but we could not score. We must prepare for the FA Cup final and then Bournemouth and Fulham.”
City will have to be better than this if they hope to end a below par season with silverware – the FA Cup final next Saturday will present them with a chance to give fans something to cheer from the season even if the more important games come in the week after.