Southampton 0 – 0 Manchester City
In a frustrating night for Manchester City, Pep Guardiola’s side was held to a goalless draw against relegated Southampton — a result that now threatens their position on the Premier League table.
Erling Haaland returned to action for the first time in six weeks after recovering from injury, and Phil Foden and Manuel Akanji were back in the starting lineup. But none of them could lead the team to victory. Despite dominating possession and pushing hard in the final minutes, City couldn’t break through against a side that had already been relegated.
Southampton, who had kept just one clean sheet in their previous 46 Premier League games, managed to shut out the star-studded four-time defending champions at St. Mary’s Stadium.
A win would’ve put pressure on second-placed Arsenal, but City not only missed that opportunity — they now risk dropping to fourth place.
With 36 games played, Guardiola’s team sits third with 65 points from 19 wins and 8 draws. Arsenal, in second, have 67 points with a game in hand. Newcastle United and Chelsea, both on 63 points, face off on Sunday. The winner of that clash will leapfrog City into third.
Going into the match, City were clear favorites given the gulf in quality between the two sides. While they struggled in attack for much of the game, they eventually found some rhythm late on — but poor finishing let them down. Despite enjoying over 70% possession and taking 26 shots, only five were on target. Southampton, by contrast, managed just two off-target attempts all game.
Haaland started after a seven-game absence, but the two-time Golden Boot winner looked far from his best.
City dominated possession from the start but lacked sharpness in the final third. In the first half-hour, they managed just one shot, which wasn’t even on target. They improved slightly before halftime, managing a few more efforts, but none that troubled the goalkeeper.
In the 66th minute, City built a promising attack with quick passing, but Haaland couldn’t connect with a low cross inside the box.
Substitute Nico O’Reilly nearly scored just a minute after coming on for Rico Lewis in the 76th minute, but he couldn’t get the decisive touch on Haaland’s pass across goal. City kept up the pressure and came close again seven minutes later, but Ruben Dias’ header was saved.
City were unlucky as well — in added time, Oscar Bobb’s powerful shot beat the keeper but smashed off the crossbar. They came looking for three points and left with nothing but frustration.
For Southampton, already condemned to relegation, this result provided at least a small sense of pride. Holding off a team like Manchester City was a rare high in a season full of lows — and a reminder that they’re not the worst team in Premier League history.
That unwanted record still belongs to Derby County, who ended the 2007–08 season with just 11 points. With this draw, Southampton edged past that total and now sit on 12.
