MAN CITY 1, SOUTHAMPTON 0
Erling Haaland’s early goal – his 14th from only 13 matches this season – took Manchester City back to the top of the Premier League following a hard-earned 1-0 home win against Southampton.
The Norwegian’s fifth-minute strike was all that separated the two teams as the struggling Saints – they have a meagre one point from nine league games – made like difficult for Pep Guardiola’s side.
There were many who were forecasting a heavy defeat for Saints given the contrasting fortunes of the two teams.
But there was praise for Saints and the defensive resolve they displayed while they also had a couple of clear-cut chances to earn a draw.
City player Bernardo Silva said: “We have a lot of respect for all the teams in the Premier League. 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. It was a 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 are used to that. We had our chances to score three or four goals, but they deserve a lot of credit for what they did here today.”
In the end City did enough to win and extend their unbeaten run in the Premier League to 32 matches, a run stretching back to December.
They are now also unbeaten at the Etihad in 52 games in all competitions.
Guardiola said: “Today it was not how they [Southampton] defend deep it was how good they play with the ball with the keeper and the movement. It’s a good game to learn as a manager. I am going to learn a lot with Russell because they did really well.
“We were humble and accepted that they did really well. Last two games, Wolves and Southampton, are at the bottom of the league and if this is the level that shows how tough this Premier League is. They played really good. They didn’t create many chances but it was an incredible effort to get the ball from us. We created chances that we couldn’t convert but the result is good.
“The build-up is exceptional. They open the channels. They link well with the striker and every moment makes sense. I knew after what people had said to me about Russell [Martin] and we tasted it today. The players were not bad, they were good. When a team plays that level you have to accept it.
“Important thing is being there. We created chances, as always Erling [Haaland] had two or three clear ones. But I’m not concerned, it’s important to have 23 points now.
“Most of the teams defend so deep. Now we will play Spurs, Bournemouth and Brighton and they won’t defend deep. So we have to adapt now. But lately a lot of defences sit so deep. We did create spaces to create, Savinho was really good today.
“We have just two or three days to recover now. We are used to playing during 11 months every three or four days. The issue is that we can’t rest some players but hopefully sooner or later we can rest some and some can come back.”
Saints’ manager Russell Martin praised his players, saying: “We were brilliant, fantastic with the ball and tried to play football.
“We had courage to take the ball which was amazing, especially after going 1-0 down.
“I take nothing but pride and gratitude for the players and take pride and positive things to say today. It was a big plus.
“You can accept defeat when you take courage. If we continue that, we will be alright and have some fun.”
Guardiola named only five outfield substitutes as he wrestled with a growing injury list.
With Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku ruled out, Guardiola made four changes to the team that beat Sparta Prague in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Brazilian Ederson returned in goal, while Mateo Kovacic, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol were all included. Phil Foden started only his second Premier League game of the season.
Veteran midfielder Adam Lallana started his first game in over a month as Southampton manager Russell Martin made one change to the side beaten at home by Leicester last week.
Japan international Yukinari Sagawara dropped to the bench. Ryan Fraser was suspended after being sent off against Leicester
City were ahead inside five minutes as Haaland netted his 14th goal of the season from only 13 games.
Matheus Nunes crossed from the left and Haaland hit a half volley into the ground that looped over keeper Aaron Ramsdale.
Nunes, making his first Premier League start of the season, almost doubled the lead as he cut in from the left and fired narrowly wide.
Saints recovered well from the early setback as they frustrated City who were unable to build on their slender advantage.
They almost levelled in stoppage time on the counter as Cameron Archer raced clear and shot against the crossbar.
City made an electric start to the second period as Foden fired just wide of the upright and Haaland’s header was cleared off the line by ex-City player Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
The Norwegian went close again as an effort from a couple of yards flew the wrong side of the upright.
Again Saints weathered the storm and might have equalised after 75 minutes when substitute Adam Armstrong fired just over the bar.
Guardiola made his first change with four minutes left as Nunes made way for Ilkay Gundogan and a second in stoppage time, John Stones for Rico Lewis.
Haaland had the chance in the 96th minute to seal victory after being put clear by Foden with Ramsdale making a huge block.