Southampton vs. Manchester City: Score, Grades, Reaction from Premier League
Manchester City climbed to second place in the Premier League table with a 3-0 win at Southampton on Sunday.
It was not a vintage, free-flowing display from City, but they worked hard, and second-half goals from Yaya Toure, Frank Lampard and Gael Clichy earned them the points that took them above Southampton in the table.
"Yaya Toure has now scored two goals from outside the area in the Premier League this season, no player has more. pic.twitter.com/eKnR4q7BwW
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) November 30, 2014"
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Manuel Pellegrini's men had to play the final 15 minutes with 10 men following Eliaquim Mangala's dismissal, but they were rarely tested by a Southampton side who lacked spark in front of goal.
City will have to improve if they are to keep tabs on leaders Chelsea, but they are now within six points and are starting to gather momentum. They have won three on the spin in all competitions, and a positive spell in December will keep them firmly in the title mix.
The first talking point at St Mary's arrived on 10 minutes, and it was a hugely controversial moment.
Sergio Aguero collected the ball in the penalty area and drove infield. He sucked Jose Fonte into a challenge and was clearly fouled by the Southampton defender. Referee Mike Jones blew his whistle, but to the consternation of Aguero, the official booked the City forward for diving.
"That's the most definite penalty I've seen in ages given as a dive and a booking for Aguero. Ref is having a nightmare.
— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) November 30, 2014"
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher pulled no punches in his role as an analyst for Sky Sports, saying, "I don't like criticising referees, but that could be one of the worst decisions I have seen this season."
City kept probing for openings, and Toure tested the handling of Saints keeper Fraser Forster with a curling drive from 20 yards. Southampton were on the back foot for long spells of the first half, but they came close to opening the scoring on 21 minutes.
The prolific Graziano Pelle had sight of the goal after being picked out superbly by Morgan Schneiderlin, but he appeared to have one eye on City keeper Joe Hart and did not make true contact with his shot. City failed to clear their lines, and Steven Davis fired the rebound toward the bottom corner, but Hart plunged to his right to make the save.
Stevan Jovetic has hardly been prolific in front of goal for City this term. He thought he’d scored on the half-hour mark as his shot went through the legs of Forster, but Toby Alderweireld had retreated onto the line and made the clearance.
"Jovetic almost gives City the lead but Alderweireld clears off the line #SkyFootball pic.twitter.com/219bczgv2i
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) November 30, 2014"
Southampton started the second half in positive style, with Alderweireld and Dusan Tadic coming close with long-range efforts. But just as it looked like City could be in for a frustrating afternoon, Toure scored for the champions.
"MATCH SHOT: @YayaToure is mobbed by team mates after giving #mcfc the lead. #saintsvcity pic.twitter.com/ebp9v8597F
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) November 30, 2014"
The Ivorian has been criticised on occasion this term, but he scored for the second consecutive game to put his side in front. Saints players were guilty of being sucked into the box, which handed Toure yards of space on the edge of the area. The ball was rolled into his path, and he fired a shot that went past Forster with the aid of a deflection off Alderweireld.
City came under pressure with 15 minutes remaining after Mangala was shown a second yellow card for bringing down Shane Long, following a sloppy bit of play from Toure, who lost the ball deep in his own half.
The door was ajar for Saints, but City hit them on the break, and substitute Lampard lashed home a low shot from 20 yards to seal the three points.
A killer third came from an unlikely source, as Clichy bagged his first goal for the club—thanks to a sumptuous pass with the outside of his right boot from Aguero.
Grades
Mike Jones: F
The official will be judged on one decision, and one decision alone. He was perfectly placed to make the call on the Fonte foul on Aguero, and somehow he got it wrong.
Toby Alderweireld: B+
The Belgian defender had a solid game, as he made a series of tackles and was on hand to clear a shot off the line.
Sergio Aguero: B
Aguero did not get a goal, but that was the one blot on the forward’s copybook as he was a menace for the Saints defence all afternoon.
Vincent Kompany: A
Sunday marked another dominant defensive performance from City’s skipper. He marshaled his defence all afternoon and snuffed out numerous attacking threats, but his day ended in disappointment as he limped off with what appeared to be a leg injury.
Yaya Toure: B
The midfielder is still not back to his brilliant, all-action self, but he’s heading in the right direction, and his goal set City on their way to victory. He lost half a mark for losing possession prior to Mangala's dismissal.
