Manchester City 0 Southampton 0: City player ratings as Manchester City slip up at St. Mary’s. | OneFootball

Manchester City 0

Southampton 0

Here are the City player ratings as Manchester City drew nil-all with Southampton at St. Mary’s. Pep Guardiola made five changes to the starting lineup that beat Wolves at the Etihad over a week ago. But coming out of the game, the fact that City dropped points in the tight race for Champions League qualification is the biggest story to come out of the game.

First half

The game kicked off in bright sunshine at the St. Mary’s Stadium. It was apparent early what the pattern of the game would be. In the game’s opening seven minutes, Manchester City were calm and crisp in possession. While Southampton were determined to sit deep in a low defensive block. While Pep Guardiola’s side had an early corner and a mountain of possession, they didn’t create anything to test Aaron Ramsdale in the Southampton goal.

After the game’s opening 15 minutes, Pep Guardiola’s side had enjoyed 80% of possession. But there was no real threat to their play besides a few nervy moments at the back for Southampton, which came from set pieces. You did sense that Manchester City would have to up their intensity as the game wore on.

But as the game reached the half-hour mark, there was no change to the pattern of play. Pep Guardiola’s side continued to pass their way around the Southampton penalty area. But there was no joy to be found in that manner of play. Southampton were well organised defensively, but to tell the truth, they weren’t being tested by City.

Kevin De Bruyne had Manchester City’s first shot of note in the 32nd minute. After he was fouled on the edge of the Southampton area, De Bruyne fired a free kick from the edge of the area inches over the bar. But at least it was a shot to write about rather than the dull game that was transpiring.

Come the halftime whistle, the score was nil-all. In truth, that’s what the game deserved. Southampton had defended well, but to be honest, they weren’t really tested in what can be described as a poor first half from Manchester City.

Jeremy Doku’s introduction did bring more life to Manchester City’s play. Although, they didn’t created any chances of note in the first 5 minutes of the second half. But what Doku’s introduction did do was create space for Kevin De Bruyne on their left-hand side. Doku was being double-marked whenever he got on the ball so it did appear to be Manchester City’s best route to goal in the second half.

Come the hour mark, Manchester City were still struggling to break Southampton down. Although the move of Phil Foden to the right wing had given them another threat in the final third. A mishit Foden strike almost provided a chance for Bernardo Silva in the 56th minute. But Bernardo was crowded out and his shot was blocked from the edge of the Southampton six-yard box. On the hour mark, Phil Foden delivered a sublime free kick on from the right wing. But his ball just evaded Erling Haaland at the back post and the score remained goalless.

Bernardo Silva would have a shot blocked the goal line by Southampton captain Jack Stephens with Aaron Ramsdale beaten. The chance came after some sublime play from Jeremy Doku on the left wing. His ball found Bernardo Silva, who took a touch before hitting his shot at goal. Perhaps he could’ve hit it first time but Stephens does deserve credit for his block.

Following that chance, Southampton enjoyed their best spell of the game. They pinned Pep Guardiola’s side back and were having joy on both flanks. Although they didn’t create a chance of note, they were growing into the game. Their home support could sense it as the Southampton support urged their team on.

In the 70th minute, Manchester City had their 10th corner of the game. Kevin De Bruyne picked out Manuel Akanji, whose header was parried away by Aaron Ramsdale. But it was another shot on target for Pep Guardiola’s side.

Erling Haaland created another opening for his team in the 75th minute. Haaland was played through by Kevin De Bruyne, and he turned Jan Bednarek in the Southampton penalty area. But his pull back somehow avoided Savinho and Nico O’Reilly with the goal gaping and Aaron Ramsdale stranded. It was beginning to feel like it wasn’t going to be Manchester City’s day, based on what transpired in that particular piece of play.

Manchester City simply had to find a goal in the game’s final stages.

As the game entered the final ten minutes plus stoppage time, Pep Guardiola’s side simply had to find a goal. They had the chance to keep their Champions League qualification hopes in their own hands entering today’s game, and that grip was slipping through their fingers.

Aaron Ramsdale would save a Savinho shot in the 83rd minute. But in truth the shot was going wide. Ramsdale would deny a Ruben Dias header a minute later. A good cross from Bernardo Silva found Dias, but his header was kept out by Ramsdale. Omar Marmoush was the next player to be denied by Ramsdale moments later. His shot hit Nico O’Reilly and Ramsdale made another good save to keep it out.

As the game entered 7 minutes of stoppage time, Omar Marmoush thundered a rasping drive off the crossbar. An indecisive moment from the Southampton defence provided Marmoush with the opportunity to shoot. But his shot smacked against the crossbar with Aaron Ramsdale well beaten.

But Manchester City wouldn’t find the goal they so desperately needed. Southampton hung on and the game finished nil-all. The result was a poor one for Pep Guardiola’s side and that now means they simply must win their last two Premier League fixtures against Bournemouth and Fulham to ensure they qualify for next season’s Champions League.

City player ratings

Ederson-6/10: Gets the standard six as he had nothing to do either in possession or in goal.

Manuel Akanji-6/10: Did his job but wasn’t really tested defensively.

Ruben Dias-6/10: Same rating as Akanji. Did what he had to do.

Josko Gvardiol-6/10: Toiled away, but like many of his teammates he didn’t stand out.

Rico Lewis-5/10: Strangely, played as wing back. That role didn’t suit him and his performance didn’t pick up in the second half. Not his best day.

Mateo Kovacic-6/10: Toiled away in midfield and didn’t really do anything wrong. Replaced by Omar Marmoush late in the game as City pressed for a late winner.

Bernardo Silva-5.5/10: Toiled away and had his chances, but not his day.

Kevin De Bruyne-6/10: He tried to inspire his team to victory. But what stood out that outside of Jeremy Doku and Phil Foden in moments was that the job of creating City’s chances fell to De Bruyne. That speaks volumes as to what Manchester City need to sign this summer.

Phil Foden-6/10: He was lively in the second half before he was substituted. Outside of Jeremy Doku, Foden was City’s most dangerous attacking player when he moved to the right wing.

James McAtee-5/10: He gets a five as he couldn’t get into the game in the first half. That wasn’t his fault, as Manchester City’s play was poor. He was replaced by Jeremy Doku at halftime.

Erling Haaland-5/10: One, he looked like a player who had missed a month of football. Two, he wasn’t provided with the service he needed. Three, despite this he nearly set up a potential winner late on for his team.

Substitutes

Jeremy Doku-6.5/10: City’s most dangerous player after coming on at halftime. He should have started.

Savinho-N/A: Not on long enough to mark.

Nico O’Reilly-N/A: Not on long enough to mark.

Omar Marmoush-N/A: Not on long enough to mark.