Manchester City had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Southampton in Week 23 of the Premier League at St. Mary’s, Saturday (22/1).
This result does not change the position of Man City. Pep Guardiola’s team remains firmly at the top of the standings with 57 points from 23 matches. Southampton are in 12th place with 25 points.
Southampton unexpectedly managed to take the lead in this match. Kyle Walker-Peters who rose to help the attack managed to find the net guard by Ederson in the seventh minute of the game.
Walker-Peters shot using the outside of the right foot in the penalty box nestled into the right corner of the Man City goal.
Southampton could actually increase the position to 2-0 in the 24th minute. However, Armando Broja’s goal was disallowed by the referee because he was already in an offside position before shaking Ederson’s goal.
Man City had a chance to equalize in the 35th minute. Raheem Sterling who stabbed into the penalty box fired a shot at the far post which was thin over the Southampton crossbar.
Sterling wasted a golden opportunity to find the net against Southampton near the end of the first half. Sterling’s free-standing shot in the penalty area was too weak and was easily saved by Fraser Foster.
Southampton almost increased their lead to 2-0 over Man City. Unfortunately Broja’s header took advantage of the chaotic situation in the Man City penalty box which still hit the goal post.
Man City replied in the 59th minute. Rodri fired a speculative shot from outside the penalty box which was still hitting the Saints crossbar.
Six minutes later Man City managed to equalize to 1-1. Aymeric Laporte’s header utilizing a pass from Kevin De Bruyne’s set ball smoothly rattled the Southampton goal.
Laporte’s goal made the Man City players even more excited. The Citizens even almost turned ahead if the two opportunities obtained by De Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus did not hit the right post of the host goal.
Man City continued to be in control of the game in the remaining game time. However, until the second half ended there were no additional goals created and the score 1-1 became the end of this match.
Although only able to achieve one point, Man City remains firmly as the leader of the Premier League standings with a collection of 57 points from 23 matches. Meanwhile, Southampton, who has collected 25 points from 22 matches, is stuck in 12th place in the EPL.
