MCI vs SOU
Match Centre
MCI vs SOU As It Happened
Key moments so far
- Southampton beaten 5-2 at Premier League leaders Manchester City
- Ward-Prowse made it 1-1 in the first half from a penalty; Adams reduced deficit to 4-2
- De Bruyne (2), Mahrez (2) and Gündogan on target for City
- McCarthy, Salisu, Stephens, Djenepo, Redmond and Adams come into starting line-up
20.23we played quite well, i must say, although we conceded five goals. we had more ball wins than they did, but they scored the goals, and this is fantastic - world class. we showed today how we can play football against a very strong side. i enjoyed the game, to be honest."
ralph hasenhüttlsouthampton manager
20.09it was a tough game. they (saints) started incredibly well - the team that made us suffer the most this season. without the ball, they have a process to play incredibly well."
pep guardiolamanchester city manager
i felt they (saints) started well with the high pressing, and made it very hard for us. it was quite a crazy game, to be honest. fair play to them, they gave it a good try today.
phil fodenman of the match
Our report from the Etihad 📝
For an in-depth look back at tonight's game, read our match report from Manchester, where a spirited Saints effort came up short against a formidable home side.
FULL TIME: Manchester City 5-2 Southampton
A strange game draws to a close at the Etihad. Saints did plenty of things well, scoring two goals and creating no shortage of chances, but were seemingly punished for every defensive lapse, as the Premier League leaders scored three times in the first half and twice in the second to ultimately run out convincing winners.
3️⃣ added minutes...
We're into stoppage time at the Etihad.
Bernardo shoots wide
Collecting a pass from Gündogan, the Portuguese fires towards the far post but it's inches wide.
Adams flagged offside
That's a shame, as Adams dispatches Ward-Prowse's pass with a brilliant curling finish, but the offside flag is rightly raised and the goal quickly chalked off.
Ederson keeps out Ward-Prowse
The skipper hits the target from the free-kick, but Ederson stands his ground to make a routine save.
Yellow Card for Fernando Luiz Rosa (Manchester City)
A sharp turn from Tella takes him away from Fernandinho, who brings him down. Free-kick in shooting range for Saints.
Manchester City substitution: Benjamin Mendy replaces Oleksandr Zinchenko
City's third and final change is at left-back.
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Torres shoots wide
A golden chance for the substitute, as Fernandinho dispossesses Salisu, but Torres drags his shot beyond the far post.
Watts replaces Armstrong
It's Saints' final substitution, as youngster Caleb Watts comes on.
Manchester City substitution: Sergio Agüero replaces Kevin De Bruyne
Agüero comes on for the final 20 minutes or so.
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The calm after the storm...
After three goals in four minutes, this game has settled down now. Foden shoots just wide from the edge of the box, but that's the first chance in the game for a while.
Southampton substitution: Ibrahima Diallo replaces Jack Stephens
It's a straight swap in central midfield, as Diallo enters the fray.
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Manchester City substitution: Ferran Torres replaces Riyad Mahrez
It's a first change for the hosts, as Mahrez is given a rest.
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De Bruyne scores his second
Foden holds off Bednarek on the edge of the box, inviting De Bruyne to step on to the ball and steer a low shot past McCarthy's left hand.
GOAL
Kevin De Bruyne (58’) | 5 – 2
Adams pulls one back
It's a quick-fire response from Saints, as Armstrong inadvertently finds Adams in the box, who doesn't miss from eight yards. A lifeline for the visitors.
GOOOAL!!!
Ché Adams (55’) | 4 – 2
Mahrez finds the net
Foden picks him out in the box and the Algerian takes his time, waiting for the right moment to pull the trigger, before beating McCarthy at his near post.
GOAL
Riyad Mahrez (54’) | 4 – 1
Quick counter from Saints
Armstrong did well to drive forward and find Adams in space, but City players retreated in numbers to crowd out the striker and diffuse the danger.
City looking sharper
In spite of the flattering scoreline, City were far from their fluent best in the first half, but the hosts have started the second period in imperious fashion. Saints need to weather the storm.
McCarthy denies Foden
It's a rasping drive from distance that McCarthy parries well, through a crowded penalty area and away to safety.
The second half is under way
We're back into the action at the Etihad.
Southampton substitution: Nathan Tella replaces Moussa Djenepo
It's a half-time change for Saints, after Djenepo appeared to pull up with a groin problem in the first period.
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HALF-TIME: Manchester City 3-1 Southampton
Saints trail, but that should not overshadow what has been a highly encouraging first-half performance against a team who just completed a 21-match winning run. Saints drew level on 25 minutes through James Ward-Prowse's penalty, but individual errors have been punished by City's ruthless finishing. It's a long way back from here, but the scoreline certainly does not tell the full story.
Gündogan makes it three
You have to feel for Saints. Mahrez's shot comes back off the post and Gündogan follows up to score, right on the stroke of half-time.
GOAL
Ilkay Gündogan (+2’) | 3 – 1
Mahrez regains City's lead
It's a fine strike from distance from the winger, who punishes Adams for giving the ball away with a loose pass inside his own half. Harsh on Saints, who have twice conceded during good spells of their own.
GOAL
Riyad Mahrez (40’) | 2 – 1
Djenepo shoots wide
Another chance for Saints, as Adams plays in Djenepo, who has to rush the shot and just prods it wide of the far post. It appears he may have picked up an injury in stretching for the ball...
Great strike from Ward-Prowse!
The captain, buoyed by scoring the equaliser, has a go from distance with a dipping shot that Ederson has to turn behind for a corner. What an effort!
McCarthy gets away with one...
The keeper's first touch deserts him, Foden nips in and McCarthy appears to bring him down, but the youngster is honest, gets to his feet and the keeper's blushes are spared.
The skipper scores!
Straight down the middle! Ederson dives to his right and it's two penalties in two games for Ward-Prowse!
GOOOAL!!!
James Ward-Prowse (24’) | 1 – 1
PENALTY TO SAINTS!
Vestergaard is pulled down and Ward-Prowse will have the chance to equalise...
Redmond goes close!
Good stuff from Saints, as Redmond gets into a shooting position and goes for goal with a low curler that had Ederson scampering across his goal line, tipping the ball wide for a corner.
City on top
That goal, which came against the run of play, has completely changed this game. City have their confidence back and are enjoying long spells of possession now. Saints need to stay in this.
De Bruyne makes the breakthrough
Isn't that just typical City? The hosts have scored from their first attack, as Foden's shot was well saved by McCarthy, but only landed at the feet of De Bruyne, who couldn't miss from close range - though he nearly did, scoring via the underside of the bar.
GOAL
Kevin De Bruyne (14’) | 1 – 0
Excellent start from Saints
This has been exceptional opening 10 minutes from Hasenhüttl's side, who are controlling the early possession. No clear chances as yet, but Saints look a confident outfit.
An early corner for Saints
Bertrand slides the ball down the line for Armstrong, whose cross deflects behind for a corner. Ward-Prowse takes, but City clear the danger.
It's four at the back for Saints
The usual formation remains in place, but there are a host of positional changes. Bertrand is operating at right-back, Salisu is left-back and Stephens partners Ward-Prowse in midfield. The visitors have started well too, with plenty of early possession.
We're under way!
Saints have kicked off and the action is up and running...
The teams are out...
We're just going through the usual pre-match formalities, with kick-off fast approaching.
17.57The boys are warm! 🌡
We're only five minutes away from kick-off here in Manchester, and Saints are ready to go!
17.55Who gets your vote? 🗳
It's Goal of the Month time! What was Saints' standout strike in February? Cast your vote here.
17.5017.39I DON'T THINK THEY'LL BE COMFORTABLE PLAYING AGAINST US - I DON'T THINK THEY'LL BE USED TO HAVING AS MUCH PRESSURE AS WE'LL BE GIVING THEM. THEY ARE A GOOD TEAM, BUT WE'VE GOT BELIEF IN WHAT WE'RE DOING AND WE KNOW IF WE CAN DO THAT RIGHT, WE CAN CAUSE THEM PROBLEMS."
JAMES WARD-PROWSESOUTHAMPTON CAPTAIN
3️⃣0️⃣ minutes to go! ⏳
Passing the time before kick-off? Check out our extended chat with James Ward-Prowse, who sat down to talk through some of his highs and lows from his first 300 appearances in Southampton colours. If you'd prefer to watch on YouTube, click here.
17.3017.24having the margin we have at the top, it is in our hands, but what we need now is fresh legs and to try to win another game. the way we will play southampton will be completely different to how we played united."
pep guardiolamanchester city manager
The stage is set at the Etihad! 📸
Still not the same without fans, is it? The next best thing to being there in person is to follow the action with us, so stay tuned for more build-up, before we provide regular updates and live commentary once the game gets under way.
17.156️⃣ changes for Saints!
It's a much-changed Saints starting line-up for this one, with a total of six alterations from the team victorious at Bramall Lane. In come Alex McCarthy, Mohammed Salisu, Jack Stephens, Moussa Djenepo, Nathan Redmond and Ché Adams; out go Fraser Forster, Kyle Walker-Peters, Ibrahima Diallo, Takumi Minamino and Nathan Tella, who are all on the bench, and Danny Ings, who is sidelined by injury.
17.08Manchester City team confirmed
Starting XI: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Laporte, Zinchenko, Fernandinho, Mahrez, Gündogan, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Foden.
Subs: Steffen, Stones, Cancelo, Mendy, Rodri, Torres, Sterling, Jesus, Agüero.
17.03Southampton team confirmed 😇
Starting XI: McCarthy, Bednarek, Vestergaard, Salisu, Bertrand, Stephens, Ward-Prowse, Armstrong, Djenepo, Redmond, Adams.
Team news incoming 🚨
We'll have both line-ups to you in just a couple of minutes! ⏳
16.56How do you stop Man City?
Tactics writer Sam Tighe analyses the Premier League's top dogs and how Saints can trouble their talented hosts tonight, in the latest edition of Tactical Watch.
16.5516.33quality is not only buying players for a lot of money, but quality that you create as a manager - automatisms you create and behaviours with the ball. they are hard to defend and they have added a defence to their game that doesn't give a lot of chances to the opponent."
ralph hasenhüttlon facing manchester city
Get clued up! 🤓
There is NO better place to get in the mood for tonight's game than our Match Pack, which features team news, videos, manager quotes and all the key stats ahead of kick-off.
16.271️⃣ hour until team news...
We'll have both starting line-ups to you at 5pm GMT! Should this guy keep his place in the Saints XI? 👆
15.59Thanks a Million! 🤳
Did you see we've hit a major milestone on Instagram? Check out some of our highlights on the social media platform here, after @SouthamptonFC hit one million followers!
15.48Building on a W! 📈
Let's remind ourselves of how Saints returned to winning ways with this controlled performance at Bramall Lane on Saturday...
15.27We've done it before...
It might be a tall order facing the leaders on their own patch, but Saints know they can trouble this Man City side - who could forget this stunning win at St Mary's last summer?
14.3314.28we knew we had to take a win against bottom of the table, and we did it in a good way, but now we have to move forward."
ralph hasenhüttlsouthampton manager
🎙 Hear from the boss!
We caught up with Ralph Hasenhüttl over Zoom, as the manager discussed Saints' latest team news and how his side might be able to spring a surprise in Manchester.
14.17BACK AT IT! 👊
It's midweek Premier League action at the Etihad Stadium, where Southampton are the visitors to Premier League leaders Manchester City. Can Saints build on Saturday's victory at Sheffield United? Will there be a City hangover from their Manchester derby defeat? Stay with us for all the build-up, team news, match updates and live commentary. And don't forget it's a 6pm GMT kick-off!
14.14MCI vs SOU Line Ups
Manchester City
| 31 |
Ederson (GK)
|
|---|---|
| 11 |
Oleksandr Zinchenko
Benjamin Mendy (81′)
|
| 2 |
Kyle Walker
|
| 14 |
Aymeric Laporte
|
| 3 |
Rúben Dias
|
| 8 |
Ilkay Gündogan
|
| 17 |
Kevin De Bruyne
Sergio Agüero (72′)
|
| 25 |
Fernandinho (C)
|
| 47 |
Phil Foden
|
| 26 |
Riyad Mahrez
Ferran Torres (61′)
|
| 20 |
Bernardo Silva
|
Substitutes
| 9 |
Gabriel Jesus |
|---|---|
| 13 |
Zack Steffen |
| 10 |
Sergio Agüero |
| 21 |
Ferran Torres |
| 27 |
João Cancelo |
| 7 |
Raheem Sterling |
| 5 |
John Stones |
| 16 |
Rodrigo |
| 22 |
Benjamin Mendy |
Southampton
| 1 |
Alex McCarthy (GK)
|
|---|---|
| 35 |
Jan Bednarek
|
| 4 |
Jannik Vestergaard
|
| 3 |
Ryan Bertrand
|
| 22 |
Mohammed Salisu
|
| 5 |
Jack Stephens
Ibrahima Diallo (63′)
|
| 12 |
Moussa Djenepo
Nathan Tella (45′)
|
| 17 |
Stuart Armstrong
Caleb Watts (72′)
|
| 8 |
James Ward-Prowse (C)
|
| 10 |
Che Adams
|
| 11 |
Nathan Redmond
|
Substitutes
| 23 |
Nathan Tella |
|---|---|
| 40 |
Daniel N'Lundulu |
| 47 |
Will Ferry |
| 44 |
Fraser Forster |
| 31 |
Kayne Ramsay |
| 2 |
Kyle Walker-Peters |
| 65 |
Caleb Watts |
| 27 |
Ibrahima Diallo |
| 19 |
Takumi Minamino |
MCI vs SOU Match Stats
Head to Head Stats
-
Possession (%)5842
-
Shots1711
-
Shots on target106
-
Corners55
-
Passes Complete613401
