Watch the Goals: Southampton – Manchester City – Played on 04/08/ 2023
Manchester City cruises to a 4-1 win against Southampton
Manchester City continued to put pressure on league leaders Arsenal with a comfortable victory over Southampton, winning 4-1 in the 30th round of the English Premier League. Erling Haaland scored twice (45 and 68), while Jack Grealish (58) and Julian Alvarez (75, penalty kick) also found the back of the net. Southampton‘s only goal came from Sacco Mara (72).
City now has 67 points in second place, trailing Arsenal by just 5 points, who play against Liverpool in their next match. Southampton remains in last place with just 23 points.
Man City’s 3-2-4-1 Method and Southampton’s 4-2-3-1 Formation
Manchester City’s coach Pep Guardiola utilized the 3-2-4-1 formation with Manuel Akanji, Robin Diaz, and Nathan Ake in the backline, and John Stones playing alongside Rodri in the middle of the field. Riyad Mahrez and Jack Grealish were on the wings, with Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne playing behind the striker Erling Haaland.
On the other hand, Southampton coach Robin Celis employed the 4-2-3-1 formation, with Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Jan Bednarik, Armel Bella Kochab, and Kyle Walker-Peters making up the back line. Romeo Lafia partnered with James Ward-Prowse in midfield, while the trio of Mohamed El-Yonsi, Carlos Alcaraz, and Theo Walcott played behind striker Kamal El-Din Suleiman.
Manchester City vs Southampton: Match Recap
Match Summary
The match started with Manchester City putting pressure on Southampton from the start, with the first significant opportunity coming in the fifth minute. Gundogan passed to Grealish, who took a shot at the far post, but goalkeeper Gavin Bazuno saved the situation. City executed a corner kick towards De Bruyne, but Suleiman quickly grabbed the ball and advanced with it, attempting to monopolize Ederson’s goal, but Ake entered at the right time in the 16th minute.
City’s Dominance and Southampton’s Defensive Tactics
City continued to dominate the game, relying on Grealish on the left wing, but Southampton players subjected him to severe control and violent interventions. However, this did not stop City from pressing forward and attempting to score goals.
City’s First-Half Goals
Manchester City finally managed to open the scoring in the 44th minute, after De Bruyne’s cross on Haaland’s head, who confidently put it into the net. This was a well-deserved goal after City’s consistent pressure throughout the first half.
City’s Second-Half Dominance
In the second half, City continued to apply pressure, with Bernardo Silva coming in for Mahrez. Grealish added the second goal in the 58th minute when he met a through pass from De Bruyne. Moreover, Silva’s attempt was saved by Bazuno, but a minute later, Haaland scored an incredible scissor kick following a cross from Grealish.
Southampton Narrow the Gap
Nevertheless, Southampton managed to narrow the gap in the 72nd minute, with substitute Djenepo assisting Mara in scoring a goal.
City’s Late Goals Secure Victory
Manchester City was awarded a penalty kick in the 75th minute, which Alvarez converted successfully. Silva exchanged passes with De Bruyne before firing a shot that rebounded from Maitland-Niles in the 77th minute. Eventually, the final minutes passed quietly, and the match ended with City winning 4-1. In conclusion, City’s dominance and persistence paid off, leading them to a deserved victory.
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