Southampton: Manchester came back in winning ways beating 1-0 Southampton in the Premier League at the St. Mary’s Stadium in Southampton on Saturday (December 19). Rahim Sterling was the sole scorer in this game.
City manager Pep Guardiola set up his side in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Ruben Dias being paired with John Stones at the heart of the defence. Rodri Hernandez along with İlkay Gündoğan formed a double pivot in the midfield. Ferran Torres shared the forward line alongside Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva with Kevin De Bruyne playing as a no.10 behind them.
The visitors as expected were dominating the possession on the ball creating chances for them. Joao Cancelo unleashed a thumping long-range drive stinging the palms of the goalkeeper Alex McCarthy. They found the net in the sixteenth-minute courtesy of Sterling who’s first-time shot found the back of the net after De Bryune squared one for him.
Southampton create a few chances in the rest of the first despite City’s dominance looking very good especially when they pressed the visitors high up the pitch giving them a few scary moments but it wasn’t enough.
In the second half, Guardiola pushed their men themselves forward with intent of extending the lead. De Bruyne and Sterling looked very good with the Belgian midfielder now stands at the second place in the assists charts for the season behind Hary Kane of Spurs while young Spaniard Torres is slowly getting used to the Premier League. Pep will be hoping that side would continue this form after drawing in their last two matches.
However, Southampton created a few chances of going close but wasn’t able to add that finishing touch. In the end, City took full three points to stand at the sixth place in the points table.
