The Big Game

7^th December 2013

 

Southampton vs Manchester City

 

Southampton were this season’s surprise package early on, even having a chance to go top of the league in November, but after three losses on the trot have dropped to eighth going into December. City on the other hand have been magnificent at home this season but struggled away, and so this match was always going to be a tasty affair.

 

And it was Manchester who started the stronger of the two sides. Alvaro Negredo was sent in past the Saints defence a couple of times early on. However, like many Spaniards these days, he couldn’t control, pass or show any composure while on the ball. But the Sky Blues were able to grab a goal a few minutes later when Kolarov made the overlap and then crossed the ball on low into the box before Aguero slotted the ball into the Southampton net. The match started to even out after City took the lead as Southampton started to have more and more chances. Shots from Ward-Prowse, Rodriguez and Lallana rained down on Manchester City’s keeper Costel Pantilimon, but any real chances that the Saints had Man City were able to clean up like a teenager after a heavy internet session.

 

Manchester City should have doubled their league and Aguero should have doubled his tally when Zabaleta caught Shaw napping and got in behind him before pulling it back to the Argentine, unmarked in the centre of the box. Perhaps Sergio has his sights on the struggling Argentine rugby team because he would have earned his team three points with his woeful shot that went into row z. This miss became costly as the teams went in level at half time after an inspirational goal from Pablo Osvaldo after 42 minutes. After some quick counter attacking passing from Southampton the ball was sent to the Italian who beat two City defenders, then decided to stop to give them a chance, only to beat them again and loop the ball up over the 6 foot 8 Romanian keeper into the top corner of the net.

 

It finished a fair 1-1 at half time, with both teams believing they could win this match. And much like the beginning of the first half, City started the stronger of the two sides with powerful shots from firstly Zabaleta and then Toure in quick secession but neither causing any problems for Southampton goalkeeper Pablo Gazzaniga. This lead to a question getting on everyone’s mind, “How many Pablos do Southampton have?” And like the first half Southampton started to dominate once more and a fantastic run from Rodriguez lead to him getting in on goal one-on-one with the City keeper. But Jay tried to go round one too many players, especially since the one too many player was a giant of a man, and Pantilimon could clear the ball.

 

With his side being dominated, Pellegrini needed to do something drastic, but what he did was so drastic that is verged on stupidity. James Milner was substituted for Javi Garcia. City instantly lost all flair and excitement that Milner brings to the team and it was clear that from this moment on all hope of three points was lost for the Sky Blues. Southampton continued to dominate and create chances but no one could get that final shot in to give the Saints all three points. Both teams continued to play the ball through to offside players and fans hadn’t seen as much arm raising since the first day of Nazi camp.

 

And so as the two teams tired, the match fizzled out with few chances to either team in the last 10 minutes. Manchester City may be happy with a point after the match as there could be no complaints if Southampton had taken all three today. If Man City wishes to win the league then they are going to have to improve their form away from home. With many big teams struggling, it could make a very exciting finish to the season, but for now: Southampton 1 – 1 Manchester City.