In a surprising turn of events, Southampton salvaged a point in their Premier League match against Manchester City, ending in a 0-0 draw at St Mary’s Stadium. This result not only showcased the Saints’ resilience but also meant they avoided sharing the record for the worst season in Premier League history, previously held by Derby County with 11 points in the 2007-08 season. The draw took Southampton’s tally to 12 points, sparking celebrations among fans basking in the sun.
Southampton’s interim manager, Simon Rusk, expressed pride in his team’s performance, stating, “We wanted to be as strong as possible towards the end of the season. We did that with abundance. We can be proud of it.” Rusk also clarified that he wasn’t focused on Derby’s record, instead prioritizing performances, improvement, and the environment. “I didn’t know much about (Derby’s record),” he added. “I understood the importance of it, but it wasn’t something I was focusing on.”
Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale echoed Rusk’s sentiments, highlighting the team’s determination to give their all for the football club. “We’ve had a tough, tough season, we’ve had tough Monday mornings after heavy defeats,” Ramsdale told Sky Sports. “We spoke about trying to be respectful and giving our all for the football club. Today (Saturday) we put smiles on the Southampton fans’ faces. It’s just a relief to be honest, it was a great day for us in a really tough season.”
Manchester City dominated the match with 26 shots, but Southampton’s defense held strong, particularly in the final minutes. Erling Haaland, City’s prolific striker, made his return after six weeks but struggled to make an impact. Omar Marmoush’s thunderous shot off the crossbar in added time presented City’s best chance, but ultimately, the visitors couldn’t break the deadlock.
Match Statistics:
- Possession: Manchester City dominated with 70% possession
- Shots: Manchester City – 26, Southampton – 2
- Expected Goals: Manchester City – 0.67, Southampton – 0.03 (at halftime)
Pep Guardiola’s City remains third in the table with 65 points, but Newcastle United and Chelsea are closing in, trailing by just two points with a game in hand. Nottingham Forest is four points behind City, also with a game in hand. Guardiola acknowledged the difficulty of the match, saying, “The second half was much better, but they defended so deep. I didn’t expect it. We had four or five chances, and unfortunately, we could not score.”
The draw has given City’s top-five rivals hope, with Sky Sports’ Kris Boyd commenting, “Man City never really had any clear-cut chances. Southampton will be delighted to get that clean sheet. Now three in 48 Premier League games.”