Manchester City’s struggles continue after 1-1 draw with Southampton extends Guardiola’s winless streak to five consecutive games
Manchester City defender Aleksandar Kolarov (left) tackles Southampton forward Nathan Redmond during the English Premier League encounter at Etihad Stadium in Manchester yesterday. pic/AFP
Manchester: Manchester City's mini-wobble continued as Southampton held on for a 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium.
Substitute Kelechi Iheanacho equalised for the hosts after a mistake by John Stones gifted Saints’ Nathan Redmond the opening goal.
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The result left City without a win in five games, equalling the worst run of Pep Guardiola's managerial career, and while they returned to the top of the Premier League, it is only on goal difference from Arsenal and Liverpool. City could feel hard done to after dominating possession, particularly in the second half, and having a Stones goal controversially ruled out for offside.
City’s drop in intensity
Yet after opening the season with 10 successive wins, the intensity does seem to have dropped temporarily. After Wednesday’s heavy loss at Barcelona, there was a feeling City needed to make a statement but that did not happen and they could not rouse themselves enough after a subdued first-half performance. City’s lack of cutting edge certainly suited Southampton, who took the lead after a glaring error by Stones, who did not look up as he passed the ball back into the area in the 27th minute. Redmond pounced, taking the ball wide of Claudio Bravo and smashing home.
Stones made amends as he raced in to tuck home a De Bruyne free-kick but a flag had been raised for what appeared to be offside against Aguero.
Sterling pass
Sterling was enlivened and curled a dangerous ball through the box before City claimed their equaliser after 55 minutes. Fernandinho picked out Sane with a crossfield ball and his low cross was neatly tucked in by Iheanacho.
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