Invincibles in Sight: Manchester City Extend Unbeaten Streak to 32 Games with Narrow 1-0 Victory Over Southampton
Manchester City beat Southampton to remain unbeaten in the league.
Manchester City won 1-0 in their home game against Southampton in the 9th round of the 2024-25 Premier League held at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England on the 26th (Korean time).
As a result, Man City moved up to first place with 7 wins, 2 draws (23 points). This season, they were unbeaten in 13 official games, including 9 league games.
Manchester City players celebrate after Erling Haaland’s goal. Photo = AP = Provided by Yonhap News
Also, they were unbeaten in 32 league games. Manchester City have not lost in the league since losing 1-0 against Aston Villa in December last year.
On the other hand, Southampton are yet to report their first win after the promotion with 1 draw and 8 losses (1 point).
Manchester City moved to a 4-1-4-1 formation. Erling Haaland, Mateusz Nunes, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Sabinho, Mateo Kovacic, Josko Guardiol, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, Rico Luis and Ederson Morales participated.
Southampton fought with a 5-4-1 formation. Cameron Archer, Matthews Fernandez-Adam Lallana-Flynn Downes-Taylor Dibling, Ryan Manning-Jack Stevens-Jan Bednarek-Taylor Harwood Bayliss-Kyle Walker Peters and Aaron Ramsdale.
Enlarge image Southampton manager Russell Martin (left) and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola (right) exchange greetings. Photo = EPA = Provided by Yonhap News
Enlarge image Erling Haaland (left), who scored the first goal, and Phil Foden (right) celebrate. Photo = AP = Provided by Yonhap News
As expected, Manchester City took the lead and scored the first goal. The main character was definitely Holland. In the 4th minute of the first half, Nunes, moving from the left half-space, received a silver pass and crossed into the box, and Holland shook the opposition defense and fired a shot into the net.
Manchester City’s players took tactical action flexibly. On the left, Nunes and Silva are linked together. Nunes compressed into the center and attacked the half while Silva went wide, while Sabinho was deployed wide on the right and waited for a one-on-one dribble opportunity with the defense.
Southampton have lined up a back five to face Manchester City. In attacking situations, Stevens would move like a third-line midfielder and help build up, and players were deployed widely and focused on opening up gaps in the opposition’s defence.
Manchester City rarely gave Southampton a chance. When Southampton looked to go forward, they applied quick and strong pressure from the front and stole the ball.
Southampton failed to capitalize on golden opportunities. After waiting an opportunity came. After easing Manchester City’s pressure down the left in first-half extra time, Stevens flicked a pass forward and the onrushing Archer took the opportunity to make it 1-1. Archer, who breaks quickly, shoots from inside the box, but swallows his frustration by hitting the top of the goal.
Enlarge image Erling Haaland scored the first goal. Photo = AFP = Provided by Yonhap News
Enlarge image Manchester City’s Sabinho attempts a bicycle kick. Photo = EPA = Provided by Yonhap News
Southampton made a change as the second half began. Adam Armstrong was brought in to replace Dibling.
Immediately, Manchester City scored against Southampton. In the first minute of the second half, Foden continued his thunderous left-footed shot in front of the box, but missed the goal.
Then in the 4th minute of the second half, Holland tried to push Foden’s cross with a header from a corner kick, but the next cross attack was again caught by the defense and the chance to head was saved by the Ramsdell goalkeeper.
Southampton also counter-attacked. On a counter attack 5 minutes into the second half, Armstrong on the right went inside and even shot with his left foot, but it was to no avail.
Enlarge image Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. Photo = EPA = Provided by Yonhap News
Southampton bring out the substitution card. In the 14th minute of the second half, Joe Arribo was brought on in place of Lallana to strengthen the midfield.
Maintaining the attack Man City could not capitalize on the opportunity to score extra goals. 18 minutes into the second half, Holland broke through a defensive scramble and headed in Sabinho’s cross on the right, but the shot missed.
Southampton continued to change. In the 31st minute of the second half, left wingback Manning was replaced by James Bree. Bree moved to the right wingback position and Walker Peters was placed in the left wingback position.
Manchester City has also changed. In the 41st minute of the second half, Nunes was replaced by Ilke Gundogan. At the same time Southampton made the final move. In place of Downes and Archer, Kamaldin Sulemana and Paul Onuachu were brought in for an all-out attack.
Southampton tried to go on the offensive at the end but it was not easy. They could not reduce the pressure of Manchester City. In the end, the game ended as it was, and Manchester City maintained a one-point lead at home, giving the fans shouts of victory.
[김영훈 MK스포츠 기자]