Manchester City and Erling Haaland were far from their best but got over the line with a 1-0 win against Southampton on Saturday.
Manchester City defeated Southampton 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, putting them two points ahead of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League. Pep Guardiola’s team has now gone a club-record 32 games without a loss, making them the only undefeated team in the top flight this season.
The champions controlled possession as Erling Haaland beat Aaron Ramsdale with a prodded finish to score his 11th goal of the season. City, who were cruising in second gear, were warned when Cameron Archer struck the crossbar just before halftime.
The Norwegian inexplicably failed to double the lead in the second half, and Haaland committed two frightening howlers. However, City never faced the risk of losing their lead. After defeating winless Southampton, Express Sport evaluates the home team’s performance using these Man City player ratings.
Ederson 6
A mere passenger for the first 44 minutes before Archer’s shot struck the upright and didn’t have much else after that.
Rico Lewis 7
Listed officially as a right-back, the 19-year-old barely spent a minute in his half and excelled further forward. He pressured and sprinted off the ball, and made himself available when City got it back, as well as completing all 19 of his passes in the first half. Is there a player who embodies Guardiola’s tactics quite like him?
Manuel Akanji 6
Composed in possession but some lapses of concentration at the back. Fortunate to see Archer’s effort come back off the bar when he was caught sitting too deep for City’s high line.
Ruben Dias 7
Made a couple of crucial interventions in the first half when Southampton were encouraged and led by example at the heart of the backline.
Josko Gvardiol 7
Powerful at the back and in dealing with aerial duels, the marauding left-back was able to get forward at will with no one to mark on his side.
Mateo Kovacic 6
With no Rodri, the Croatian was tasked with dictating the play in central areas and looked solid throughout, without performing some of the heroics of previous weeks. Booked.
Bernardo Silva 6
Combined well with Gvardiol and Matheus Nunes down the left. The hard-working central midfielder covered a lot of ground, a lot of the time making unselfish runs to create space for the likes of Haaland and Foden.
Phil Foden 7
The Englishman was handed a central role behind Haaland and was keen to get on the ball as much as possible. Certainly one of his more lively performances this season.
Savinho 8
Looks more like the new Riyad Mahrez with every game. The Brazilian oozes confidence with how he takes on defenders and, even when Southampton doubled on him, he still found a way past. Fizzed in some dangerous crosses too. On this form, it’ll be difficult to drop him.
Matheus Nunes 7
With Jack Grealish still out, Guardiola sprung a surprise by starting the Portuguese out on the left flank instead of Foden or Savinho. It worked a treat though, as his cross found Haaland to give him a rare assist. At long last, the £45m has found a role that suits him in this team.
Erling Haaland 6.
He showed strength by holding off his man and poking home the first goal in just six minutes, ending his three-game goal drought in the Premier League. Despite his obvious misses, the Norwegian should have left with at least a hat-trick. He missed two chances to make the net bulge from two yards out.