SAN FRANCISCO, December 19, (THEWILL) – English Premier League side Manchester City were 1-0 victors away to Southampton in the Matchday 14 fixture on Saturday at St. Mary’s Stadium.
Without Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus in the squad, the men from the Etihad had to struggle to find a way past a Southampton side who have been most impressive in the league this season.
They also had to deal with some early Southampton pressure even as they also forced Alex McCarthy to be alive to his responsibilities in goal for the Saints like a powerful shot from right back Joao Cancelo in the sixth minute.
The deadlock was broken in the 16th minute when playmaker Kevin De Bruyne was allowed space to cross for attacker Raheem Sterling to sweep home first time from within the box.
The hosts did not cave in but went forward menacingly, threatening through Danny Ings, Theo Walcott and Jannik Vestergaard. Still, the next goal could have been City’s but the chance to make it two before the end of the first period went begging as De Bruyne scuffed the opportunity.
However, Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side stepped up the pressure in the second 45. Forward Che Adams was just unable to direct his header on target after a rare defensive mix-up in the visitors’ backline.
Though McCarthy saved superbly from an Ilkay Gundogan strike late in the game, the home side could not find a way to place Ederson under similar pressure and surrendered all the points.
The next tie for City is with Arsenal on Tuesday in the EFL Cup quarter-final. Southampton have a week to prepare for a trip to Fulham.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
