Manchester City failed to turn their league game against Southampton into a win on Saturday. A 1-1 draw at St Mary’s ended the Premier League’s winning streak after 12 consecutive wins. Earlier this season, Southampton also took a point (0-0) on a visit to Manchester City. After the loss of points, there is no man overboard for Manchester City, because the lead over Liverpool is still twelve points, although the number two still has two games left.
Surprisingly, Southampton took the lead in the seventh minute. Upbeat right-back Kyle Walker-Peters, back after a coronavirus infection, mounted a charge and paired up with Nathan Redmond, before finishing with the outside of the foot in the far left corner. It was only the third goal against Manchester City in the first half of a league game this season. The Citizens, with Rúben Dias taking the place of John Stones and otherwise the same line-up as last week against Chelsea (1-0 win), were not decisive enough in the chase for the 1-1.
The Saints ahead! ?? Kyle Walker-Peters rounds out and puts his side 1-0 ahead ??#ZiggoSport #PremierLeague #SOUMCIA pic.twitter.com/WQgn7wZ2ZF
— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) January 22, 2022
Halfway through the first half, Southampton even thought it would be 2-0, but a goal by former Vitesse attacker Armando Broja was rejected for offside. Manchester City came close to the equalizer only seven minutes before the end. From the left, Phil Foden sent a sharp cross to Raheem Sterling, who popped up at the far post in front of goalkeeper Fraser Forster. Sterling looked too laconic in the finish and failed to pick a corner that allowed Forster to save with his legs.
The second half started with serious chances for Southampton. Defender Jan Bednarek got in front of his man after a corner from James Ward-Prowse and headed towards goal, but Ederson was well positioned. Not much later, Broja headed the post from close range, again after a corner from Ward-Prowse. Then Manchester City hit the aluminum: just outside the penalty area, Rodri saw a placed bet touch the bar. Halfway through the second act, the visitors came alongside. The celebrated man was Aymeric Laporte, who nodded well from a sharp free kick by Kevin De Bruyne.
City level again! ?? Laporte is free and can easily head in, 1-1 ??#ZiggoSport #PremierLeague #SOUMCIA pic.twitter.com/c7fUbP8e10
— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) January 22, 2022
The Belgian tried to score himself twenty minutes before the end. He cleared himself for a shot from outside the penalty area, but hit the post. Two minutes later, Gabriel Jesus also hit the post when he ventured a header from close range. St Mary’s held its breath as the video referee looked at footage of contact between Oriol Romeu and De Bruyne around the penalty box; a penalty was not awarded. In the six-minute stoppage time, the attacking midfielder became a threat again, but it remained at 1-1.
| No. | Team | m | W | G | V | +/- | Pnt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manchester City | 23 | 18 | 3 | 2 | 41 | 57 |
| 2 | Liverpool | 21 | 13 | 6 | 2 | 37 | 45 |
| 3 | Chelsea | 23 | 12 | 8 | 3 | 28 | 44 |
| 4 | Manchester United | 22 | 11 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 38 |
| 5 | West Ham United | 23 | 11 | 4 | 8 | 10 | 37 |
| 6 | Tottenham Hotspur | 19 | 11 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 36 |
| 7 | Arsenal | 20 | 11 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 35 |
| 8 | Wolverhampton W. | 21 | 10 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 34 |
| 9 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 21 | 6 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 29 |
| 10 | Aston Villa | 21 | 8 | 2 | 11 | -4 | 26 |
| 11 | Leicester City | 19 | 7 | 4 | 8 | -3 | 25 |
| 12 | Southampton | 22 | 5 | 10 | 7 | -8 | 25 |
| 13 | Crystal Palace | 21 | 5 | 9 | 7 | -1 | 24 |
| 14 | Brentford | 23 | 6 | 5 | 12 | -12 | 23 |
| 15 | Leeds United | 21 | 5 | 7 | 9 | -16 | 22 |
| 16 | Everton | 20 | 5 | 4 | 11 | -11 | 19 |
| 17 | Norwich City | 22 | 4 | 4 | 14 | -32 | 16 |
| 18 | Newcastle United | 21 | 2 | 9 | 10 | -22 | 15 |
| 19 | Watford | 20 | 4 | 2 | 14 | -17 | 14 |
| 20 | Burnley | 17 | 1 | 8 | 8 | -11 | 11 |