Manchester City vs. Southampton: Score, Reaction from 2016 Premier League Match

Manchester City failed to win for the fifth time in succession on Sunday, as Southampton held them to a 1-1 draw in Premier League action at the Etihad Stadium.

The first half was all about City defender John Stones, whose error allowed Nathan Redmond to steal in and open the scoring for Saints. Stones thought he'd equalised soon after but saw his header ruled out for offside.

Manager Pep Guardiola introduced Kelechi Iheanacho as a second-half substitute, and he quickly had City back on level terms. However, the home side couldn't find a winner. Bleacher Report UK suggested City fans shouldn't be worrying too much yet, though:

With captain Vincent Kompany and top scorer Sergio Aguero back in the side, a fast City start wouldn’t have been surprising. But there was a hesitancy about the home team’s play early on, resembling an outfit that had failed to win in their last four outings.

Southampton were pressing high up the pitch, and although that did allow Guardiola’s side space in the final third, there were nerves in the City defence and from Stones especially. 

After 27 minutes, the centre-back sought to knock the ball back to Kompany. But the skipper darted forward as it was played, allowing Redmond space to latch on to the loose ball in behind, round goalkeeper Claudio Bravo and put Southampton ahead.

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While the opener was a defensive horror show from City, Jonny Singer of the Daily Mail praised Redmond's ruthlessness:

With the Etihad Stadium stunned, Stones looked as though he’d attained immediate redemption, prodding home Kevin De Bruyne’s fizzing free-kick at the back post. The 22-year-old peeled off in celebration but was unaware the linesman had his flag raised for offside.

It capped a frustrating first period for City, who were limited to little in attack by the diligent visitors. Indeed, as referee Mark Clattenburg blew for half-time, there was a cacophony of boos around the Etihad.

Sports journalist Liam Canning was unsure whether City's performance warranted that kind of reaction:

Guardiola evidently wasn’t pleased, either, as he withdrew De Bruyne and thrust Iheanacho into the fray in the second period. And just as he so often does, the 20-year-old had a decisive impact from the bench.

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It was a wonderful goal too. In the 55th minute, Fernandinho swept an excellent pass out to the left flank to Leroy Sane. The German poked a low ball across the penalty area, and Iheanacho stole a march on Virgil van Dijk to to make it 1-1.

As we can see here, courtesy of Squawka Football, the Nigeria international is clinical when given a chance:

Suddenly, the Etihad was abuzz with positivity, with the men in sky blue piling forward in search of a second goal. However, Southampton were doing their utmost to dig in, with goalkeeper Fraser Forster pulling off stops from Ilkay Gundogan and David Silva.

The visitors still posed a threat on the break, though, and Claudio Bravo was called upon 15 minutes from time, when Charlie Austin thumped a shot toward goal from the edge of the box; the three points were undoubtedly there for the taking for either side in the latter stages.

Aguero had endured a quiet afternoon, but he did burst into life with an excellent run into the box as the clock ticked down. However, he could only flash his left-footed shot wide of the post, squandering the best chance either side could conjure in what were a frantic final few minutes.

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Guardiola will have to answer more questions about his style in the aftermath of this game, with Stones' slack approach on the ball giving City a mountain to climb. Despite their dominance of the ball and persistent probing, it was a setback they were ultimately unable to recover from.

Southampton deserve great credit for their display. Claude Puel's side faced Inter Milan in the San Siro on Thursday in the UEFA Europa League and wouldn't have had too much time to prepare for this one. The organisation they operated with is a testament to the application of those who are thriving under the the new regime. 

Post-Match Reaction

As noted by BBC Radio 5 live's Ian Cheeseman, it took Guardiola a while to emerge to face the press after the game:

Per Sky Football, he was visibly disappointed when he came out for his interview:

Austin took to social media soon after the match, suggesting the visitors were disappointed not to win:

Goalscorer Redmond said afterward that Saints knew City were frail in defence. “From watching them in preparation, we knew they would give us chances," he told Sky Sports (h/t BBC Sport). "They only play three at the back. I was anticipating it, and it was it just about keeping a cool head and putting the chance away.”