Manchester City will hope to return to winning ways in the Premier League when they face Southampton at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.
Man City form
City’s 21-match winning run was ended on Sunday by their neighbours – losing 2-0 to Manchester United in an off-colour display by the league-leaders. It also ended a run of 28 matches without a defeat in all competitions.
Pep Guardiola’s side never got going in the derby and were on the back foot from the beginning when Gabriel Jesus clumsily fouled Anthony Martial in the area.
Their usual patterns and fluid play were nowhere to be seen, and, early in the second half, United picked them off with a marauding run and expert finish from Shaw.
Phil Foden was not in the starting line-up for the fourth league game in a row, while Sergio Aguero remained on the bench for the full 90 minutes.
The derby result has done little damage in the grand scheme of things, and they can stretch their lead to 14 points if they win tonight.
Southampton form
Southampton got a much-needed 2-0 win against Sheffield United last weekend.
It was an ideal opponent for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men – a relegation threatened side missing key players.
Saints have had a dire 2021 and were starting to get sucked into a relegation battle before their morale-boosting win at Bramall Lane.
The victory at the weekend ended a run of nine league games without a win. They now sit on 33 points from 27 games, seven points clear of the drop-zone.
James Ward-Prowse opened the scoring from the spot before Che Adams scored a fantastic half-volley, ending a run of 16 games without a goal in all competitions.
However, the win was tainted as Southampton top-scorer Danny Ings suffered a muscle injury, which will keep him out for a few weeks.
Head-to-head
Man City’s 1-0 win at Southampton was the first victory in the sensational 21-game winning run.
City have won seven of their last eight Premier League games against Southampton. Southampton have lost eight of their last nine Premier League away games against Man City (D1). Their only win at the Etihad came in 2004.
Featured image: James Ward-Prowse of Southampton celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Southampton at Bramall Lane. (Photo by Mike Egerton – Pool/Getty Images)
