Manchester City got their Premier League title challenge back on track, returning to winning ways with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Southampton.
Pep Guardiola’s came into this game on the back of a run of three defeats in four games that saw the defending champions slip to third place in the table. However, this was a much better performance, lifting City back up to second.
Manchester City's Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero (R) celebrates with Manchester City's Portuguese midfielder Bernardo Silva after scoring their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Southampton and Manchester City at St Ma
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David Silva gave City the lead after just 10 minutes, finishing after good work down the right side from Bernardo Silva. However, Saints equalised when Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg robbed Oleksandr Zinchenko and fired high into Ederson’s net.
A quick-fire double in stoppage time at the end of the first half put Man City back in control, though, with a James Ward-Prowse own goal and a Sergio Aguero header putting the visitors 3-1 ahead. Hjojberg was sent off late on for a reckless tackle on Fernandinho as City coasted to three points ahead of the crucial clash with Liverpool on January 3.
TALKING POINT - Man City still have a problem area at left back
With Benjamin Mendy still injured and Fabian Delph suspended, Zinchenko was given the nod by Guardiola at left back for this game. The Ukrainian provided an exceptional cross for Aguero’s goal at the end of the first half, but that was after he’d been robbed of the ball, allowing Southampton to net an equaliser. Delph will be back from suspension shortly, but for the time being City still have a problem area at left back.
Manchester City's Ukrainian midfielder Oleksandr Zinchenko (R) reacts as Southampton's Danish midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg celebrates after scoring their first goal during the English Premier League football match between Southampton and Manchester Ci
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MAN OF THE MATCH - David Silva (Manchester City)
The absence of Fernandinho had been pinpointed as the prime reason for Man City’s recent poor run of form, and the return of the Brazilian was certainly a factor in this improved display, but on this basis the champions also desperately missed Silva. The playmaker is often overlooked, but he is the player who makes City click in the final third. This performance served as a reminder of Silva’s quality.
David Silva of Manchester City (21) celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with team mates Bernardo Silva and Riyad Mahrez of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Manchester City at St Mary's Stadium on Decemb
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PLAYER RATINGS
Southampton - McCarthy 8, Ramsay 6, Stephens 6, Bednarek 5, Targett 5, Ward-Prowse 6, Hojbjerg 6, Lemina 5, Romeu 5, Elyounoussi 5, Austin 5. Subs - Redmond 5, Valery 6, Long 5.
Manchester City - Ederson 6, Danilo 7, Kompany 7, Laporte 6, Zinchenko 6, Silva 8, Bernardo 7, Fernandinho 7, Mahrez 6, Sterling 7, Aguero 7. Subs - Walker 5, Sane 5, Jesus 6.
KEY MOMENTS
10’ GOAL! Southampton 0-1 Manchester City: The defending champions have taken the lead! Bernardo gets down the outside, cuts back the pass for Silva, who makes no mistake in finishing first-time into the back of the net from about eight yards out! City have the advantage.
37’ GOAL! Southampton 1-1 Manchester City: It's an equaliser! Zinchenko dithered on the ball, allowing Hojbjerg to nip in and win possession. The midfielder surged into the Man City box and fired a finish past Ederson! We are back on level terms.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg of Southampton (C) celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with team mates Jack Stephens and Oriol Romeu uring the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Manchester City at St Mary's Stadium on December 29, 2018 in So
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43’ Big penalty claim! Ward-Prowse believed that he was brought down inside the box by Zinchenko! That was a strong claim. Zinchenko put his hands on the back of the Southampton man.
45’ GOAL! Southampton 1-2 Manchester City: It might have been a Sterling goal. It might have been an own goal. All that matters is that it's a City goal! Sterling was cutting back a cross, Ward-Prowse stuck out a foot and it squeezes past McCarthy at the near post.
48’ GOAL! Southampton 1-3 Manchester City: City have grabbed a second in quick succession! Zinchenko plays a wonderful cross into the box where Aguero has drifted away from his marker and heads down into the ground and into the back of the net.
60’ Off the crossbar! So close to being a fourth goal for Man City. Aguero spins on the edge of the box and gets a shot away. It beats McCarthy, but doesn't beat the woodwork. Off the bar.
85’ SENT OFF! Hojbjerg is shown a red card for a shocking tackle on Fernandinho. That was a reckless lunge from the Southampton midfielder and he will be a big miss for Saints.
KEY STATS
Ederson completed as many dribbles as Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling, Oleksandr Zinchenko and David Silva combined.
Southampton have scored more own goals (three) than any other side in the Premier League this season.
Sergio Aguero has scored five goals and made four assists in his last nine Premier League games against Southampton.
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