Saints vs MCI As It Happened
Key moments so far
- The players embark on a lap of appreciation around the St Mary's pitch.
- Saints retain their Premier League status!
- Gabriel Jesus nets the winner, with a chipped effort over McCarthy.
- City nick the win in stoppage time to reach 100 Premier League points.
👏
Mark Hughes applauds the fans around St Mary's, after guiding Saints to Premier League survival!
17.36Our report from the final day!
Southampton's survival is confirmed on a day when Man City left it late to climb to 100 Premier League points. Read our report from St Mary's here!
17.28We are Premier League 👊
As the players make their way around the pitch by way of appreciation, we'd like to again say thank you for all your support this season!
17.03FULL-TIME: Saints 0-1 Man City
City nick it at the death! A slight tinge of disappointment, as Saints battled well throughout. But ultimately, we march on in the Premier League! 👊
16.55City win it at the death
It looks like a Jesus goal has sealed it for City in stoppage time. Elation from the visitor's bench, as they sprint to celebrate with the fans.
17.31GOAL
Gabriel Fernando de Jesus (+4’) | 0 – 1

Sané through...
He tussles with Jack Stephens, but ultimately wins the race for pace. But the linesman's flag is raised. Phew. 😅
3️⃣added...
Come on lads, you can see this out! 👊
Dead ball for Prowsey
The first chance for the sub to whip a ball in. He does so well, but Bravo is able to claim at the second time of asking.
Sterling claims yet another hand ball
Again referee doesn't see an infringement. Ball goes out for a corner, subsequently picked up by sub Phil Foden and fizzed towards goal. McCarthy claws away for another corner.
Sensing an opportunity...
Saints are really pushing here. They look intent on rewarding this sold-out St Mary's crowd. Tadić and Long the latest pairing to go close!
Agonisingly close! 😩
Tadić twists and turns in the box, he's beaten Bravo once, now twice... He shoots, but Danilo is there on the line to volley away.
Sané tumbles
The forward goes over in the box under the pressure of Hoedt. Seems to signal that he'd been fouled, but the referee disinterested.
Yellow Card for James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)
Cynical foul from Prowsey, bringing down Raheem Sterling.
Prowsey effort
His first contribution since the sub, the ball is stood up well and Prowsey connects with his head. Guided downward but Bravo is able to save comfortably enough.
The boss 👊
Mark Hughes urging his players on from the touchline. He's been out of his seat for the majority of the game, and Saints are well in this!
Safe hands 🙌
Another crucial save from the in-form stopper! McCarthy tips Stones's header over.
Sterling effort off the woodwork
City threatening. Sterling's shot is deflected on to the post, before the resulting corner is met by John Stones. His header was on target, and needed the assured glove of Alex McCarthy to tip over.
Yoshida concedes corner
Sterling's run is well found by Danilo, as Yoshida comes across on the cover. Ball whipped across by De Bruyne and eventually smashed over by Fernandinho. Not his best!
Stinger!
Stephens blocks Laporte's shot with his, face. 😅
We're back under way...
The second half is upon us. Let's finish in style Saints! 👊
ATTENDANCE: 31,882 (3,341)
Thank you once again for a capacity crowd here at St Mary's, as we sign off the 2017/18 campaign!
17.28HALF-TIME: Saints 0-0 Man City
First half negotiated! In truth, Saints have contained City rather well, and provided threat at the opposite end. Good value for the half time parity, if not unlucky not to go in ahead! 😇
Dancing feet from Sterling
But Hoedt stands up well, keeps an eye on the ball and gets a foot in. Saints are crowding the City forward whenever he's on the ball, a tactic which is proving effective!
On the attack
Good build up play, as the ball is switched from right to left. It falls at the feet of Romeu, who is urged to shoot by a capacity crowd inside St Mary's. He obliges, but it flies unfortunately over. A clear sign of Saints' intent, though!
Sterling effort
He grapples with Maya Yoshida, before shooting aimlessly over. Operating through the middle today, in the absence of Gabriel Jesus - who is available from the bench.
Oh when the Saints... 🎶
A chorus rings around St Mary's! What an atmosphere here today. 👏
Close on 2️⃣occasions!
Hoedt has tested Bravo's nerves! We're still goalless here at St Mary's, with Saints asking questions of the champions' defensive capabilities. Austin with the latest effort, tame in fairness.
17.51Sané free-kick
It was certainly within the German's range, but the wall does it's job well. Left side of goal, approximately 20 yards out, curled effort strikes the wall and is cleared from danger.
Güdogan shoots from range
It doesn't trouble McCarthy in the Saints upright. He'll be happy to keep City at bay from distance.
Redderz wins a free-kick...
Delivered by Tadić. It falls kindly to Hoedt at the back post, unmarked, but he rather skews the shot. Unlucky, boys!
17.49Resolute from Stephens 👊
Really solid start from the centre-half, in both boxes! He's been bold enough to get forward, on occasion, and negotiated a couple of crucial tackles well. Fully focussed!
De Bruyne shot deflected
Sané lays the ball off to the Belgian, but his shot is charged down. McCarthy can't prevent the corner, though Romeu is able to head away, before the resulting shot from Danilo flies well wide.
Saints probing...
It's the home side who are looking threatening. Although City enjoying more possession now, Kevin De Bruyne on the ball, as Sterling is caught offside.
Busy Bravo
Charlie Austin looking to test the City stopper. Saints carving the better of the chances in the opening exchanges!
Crossbar...
Wesley Hoedt's header crashes off the underside of the crossbar, and is cleared to safety. Really lively start from the hosts, who look right at it! 🙌
Stephens on the prowl
The centre-half intercepts on the ball on half-way, plays a one two with Tadić before again receiving it from Austin. The shot is somewhat fumbled by Bravo, before the resulting corner is headed goalward by Hoedt...
Bright start...
Saints looking to go forward at every opportunity, but naturally, City looking to do the same. Tadić through pass intended for Charlie Austin, who had made a clever run, but Bravo smothers the danger!
Invaluable! 👏
Your support has been superb, Saints fans. And we can see/hear that you're ready to produce yet again today. Let's get over the line! 👊
We're under way...
Saints get us under way here at Mary's. Lovely day for football! Let's go, lads! 👊
Warm-ups complete 💪
We're ready to go here at a very noisy St Mary's. Just the formalities to complete before kick-off!
14.57Our thanks to you...
Hopefully we give you the send-off you deserve today! 👊
14.28👏
Can't wait to hear the noise inside St Mary's today, Saints fans! You've been superb all season, one last time, please! 😇
14.2514.11With all respect to Swansea, it's almost impossible that southampton don't stay in the premier league - where they deserve to be.
pep guardiolaman city boss
☀️😎
As the sun sets on an eventful 2017/18 season, we prepare for the final day at a sunny St Mary's! Join us wherever you can, and let's get over the line together! 👊
14.09Yoshida returns! 💪
Centre-half Maya Yoshida returns to the starting XI after serving his one match suspension. Jan Bednarek unfortunately misses out, having sustained a head injury in the midweek win over Swansea.
14.05MAN CITY TEAM
Starting XI: Bravo (GK), Danilo, Stones, Laporte, Gundogan, Delph, Fernandinho (c), De Bruyne, B.Silva, Sané, Sterling.
Subs: Ederson (GK), Walker, Kompany, Foden, Jesus, Diaz, Zinchenko.
14.02TEAM NEWS CONFIRMED! 😇
Starting XI: McCarthy (GK), Bertrand (c), Yoshida, Hoedt, Stephens, Cédric, Romeu, Højbjerg, Redmond, Tadić, Austin.
Dressing room ready 👊
Full focus ahead of today's final league clash. Who do you want to take a first XI shirt against Man City this afternoon?
13.44Scene set! 🙌
One final push! We're getting set for a big finale here at St Mary's, but where are you watching from Saints fans? If you aren't able to make it to the stadium today, not to fear, we'll be updating you with everything you need to know right here!
13.1112.50There's certainly that element of relief around the place and a lot of pressure has been lifted off our shoulders, but we've still got a job to do on sunday and we're positive that we can finish that job!
Jack Stephenson today's city clash
Inside Stalewood: Training 👊
Watch the week's preparations as Saints gear up for the visit of Man City to St Mary's.
12.4712.35We had fantastic support from everyone who followed us to swansea. they made themselves known, and that got us over the line. so we need more of that against man city.
Mark HughesOn the value of the fans
Cover ⭐️: Jan Bednarek
This week's feature-length interview is given by young centre-half Jan Bednarek!
Ohhhh Gabbiadini 🎶
Hero of the moment Manolo Gabbiadini reflects on Tuesday night's match-winning contribution, as he netted the goal that all but secured Saints' survival. Hear from the striker as he spoke at Staplewood this week.
12.00Hughes previews league-finale 🗣
It's been a quick turnaround for Saints, following that dramatic midweek 1-0 victory at Liberty Stadium! Here's what the manager had to say ahead of this afternoon's concluding league clash.
11.55Welcome to Matchday Live 😇
It's the final day of a tense campaign for Saints, but after Tuesday night's success over Swansea, we're able to rest a little easier as St Mary's prepares to host league champions Man City!
Saints vs MCI Line Ups
Southampton
13 |
Alex McCarthy (GK)
|
---|---|
3 |
Maya Yoshida
|
5 |
Jack Stephens
|
21 |
Ryan Bertrand (C)
Sam McQueen (81′)
|
6 |
Wesley Hoedt
|
2 |
Cédric Soares
|
14 |
Oriol Romeu
|
22 |
Nathan Redmond
James Ward-Prowse (64′)
|
23 |
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg
|
11 |
Dusan Tadic
|
10 |
Charlie Austin
Shane Long (64′)
|
Substitutes
16 |
James Ward-Prowse |
---|---|
38 |
Sam McQueen |
7 |
Shane Long |
39 |
Josh Sims |
44 |
Fraser Forster |
26 |
Jérémy Pied |
20 |
Manolo Gabbiadini |
Manchester City
1 |
Claudio Bravo (GK)
|
---|---|
18 |
Fabian Delph
Gabriel Jesus (59′)
|
5 |
John Stones
|
3 |
Danilo
|
14 |
Aymeric Laporte
|
25 |
Fernandinho (C)
|
8 |
Ilkay Gündogan
Phil Foden (82′)
|
17 |
Kevin De Bruyne
|
7 |
Raheem Sterling
|
20 |
Bernardo Silva
Brahim Diaz (78′)
|
19 |
Leroy Sané
|
Substitutes
33 |
Gabriel Jesus |
---|---|
35 |
Oleksandr Zinchenko |
4 |
Vincent Kompany |
47 |
Phil Foden |
55 |
Brahim Diaz |
2 |
Kyle Walker |
31 |
Ederson |
Saints vs MCI Match Stats
Head to Head Stats

-
Possession (%)3070
-
Shots813
-
Shots on target32
-
Corners112
-
Passes Complete173506