ERLING HAALAND STRUCK again as Manchester City ensured their unbeaten Premier League home run would stretch past two years with a laboured 1-0 defeat of Southampton.
The Norwegian turned home his 14th goal of the season after just five minutes of a tame contest against the winless Saints at the Etihad Stadium.
City’s victory took them back to the top of the table and extended their unbeaten league sequence at the ground to 35 games since a loss to Brentford on 9 November, 2022.
They now do not play at home again until Tottenham visit on 23 November.
City had numerous chances, several of them falling to Haaland, but after their strong start, did not even approach top gear.
Despite some good possession and plenty of creditable defensive resilience, a Saints side with just one point to their name did not overly trouble them.
The visitors’ one great chance came when Cameron Archer hit the bar late in the first half but Pep Guardiola’s side did not look like squandering their victory chance.
City made an early statement of intent as Ruben Dias shot at Aaron Ramsdale from 30 yards and it was not long before they took the lead.
Haaland proved far too strong for Jan Bednarek, beating the defender in a tussle to reach a Matheus Nunes cross and turning home from close range despite being off-balance.
It could quickly have got worse for Saints as Nunes, making his first start of the season, cut inside and fired wide and Mateo Kovacic had an effort blocked.
Savinho should have done better after seizing on a loose ball but he dwelt too long in the box and Mateus Fernandes got back to clear.
Saints did enjoy some encouraging spells but were frustrated that a number of decisions went against them.
The most egregious saw Flynn Downes booked for what seemed a clean tackle on Bernardo Silva and manager Russell Martin was also shown a yellow card for his protests.
City had a let-off before the break when Saints countered at speed and Archer smacked a shot against the woodwork after going through one-on-one with Ederson.
The champions tried to up the tempo in the second half and Phil Foden flashed a shot narrowly wide before Haaland had a header cleared off the line by former City youngster Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
Haaland then let Saints off the hook himself with an uncharacteristic miss from close range.
The Norwegian looked certain to score after being picked out at the back post by Savinho’s low ball but unexpectedly tapped wide.
Savinho created another chance for Haaland just after the hour but this time the striker failed to make clean contact with a header.
Southampton remained in the fight and Adam Armstrong shot just over but City, after Haaland was denied by Ramsdale late on, had done enough.
Why is he going over now instead of at the end of the season when he’ll have completed his Leaving Cert? I know he’ll complete school in the UK but sounds like Manchester City have put pressure on him to go over now?
@James Clancy: Brexit? Age considerations outside eu?
@tribesman: Oh yeah, that could be the reasoning alright. Strikes me that it’d be a better move for the player himself to go over in the summer but Brexit could be an issue alright.
@James Clancy: I think for career development games at a reasonably level is a good argument to stay. But he will get the beat training money can buy at city. Also money is another valid reason. Most good 17 year olds don’t play professionally for long. But city pay huge wedge to their kids, so even if he doesn’t ‘make it’ he’ll have earned significantly for 3ish years which could set him up for life.
I hope he does well, man City seem to have a good education plan for their academy players.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-city-st-bedes-news-11311766.amp
Best of luck to him…