Blue day for City after Southampton stalemate

Manchester City’s UEFA Champions League hopes took a hit in surprise fashion as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Southampton, who secured the point they need to surpass Derby’s all-time Premier League low tally of 11 points in a season.

As one might expect of a game between UCL-chasing Manchester City and already-relegated Southampton, this game had the feel of a training ground match. Pep Guardiola’s men were camped firmly in the Saints’ half for most of the opening stages, but a distinct lack of scoring opportunities hinted they may have to be patient despite their territorial dominance.

City were so blunt in the final third that 32 minutes had passed before they fired an effort towards Aaron Ramdale’s goal.

Even then it was from a free-kick, a Kevin De Bruyne’s 20-yard strike whistled narrowly over the bar.

Considering no side in the Premier League has conceded more first-half goals than Southampton this season, City’s struggles in the opening 45 minutes were something of a surprise. But as the half time whistle was sounded, Southampton were halfway towards securing the point they needed to record. Such a tepid display prompted Guardiola to introduce Jérémy Doku at half-time but even his introduction did little to change the flow of the game, with City doing all the leg work but creating precious little.

City kept probing for a late winner, and weren’t shy in coming forwards, with Savinho, De Bruyne and Omar Marmoush all coming close to finding a late goal. But Southampton incredibly held on to secure the point they needed to avoid making unwanted history in the most unlikely of circumstances, as they kept just a third league clean sheet of the season.

Finishing in the top five still remains in City’s hands, but they could be left to rue these dropped points come the end of the campaign.