Manchester City 1 Southampton 1: Super-sub Kelechi Iheanacho rescues point for City after Nathan Redmond had put visitors into first-half lead
Pep Guardiola's side went to the top of the table, but will feel it was two points dropped today at The Etihad
IT'S now five games without a win for Manchester City after they drew 1-1 at home to Southampton this afternoon.
Southampton took the lead in the 27th minute - and it will be one John Stones wants to forget. Under no pressure, the £47.5million man's back pass was well short, and Redmond nipped in, drew keeper Claudio Bravo out, and slotted home.
But an inspired substitution by Man City boss Pep Guardiola at the break paid dividends. Off came Kevin De Bruyne and on came Kelechi Iheanacho, and the Nigerian netted the equaliser within ten minutes of being on the pitch.
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The second period saw Man City completely dominate, but some dogged Southampton defending and fine saves from Fraser Forster ensured the teams shared the spoils.
Facts, stats, goals and lols
- Southampton have suffered six successive defeats at the Etihad going into this one. The last time they won here was in April 2004.
- Vincent Kompany was picked to start a Premier League game for the first time since April 19. - a 1-1 draw at Newcastle.
- It was the 301st appearance of his City career - just imagine how many he could have made but for the injuries.
- Southampton had taken more points in the calendar year of 2016 than their opponents before this - 51 compared to 49.
- Nathan Redmond's opener means City have conceded the first goal in their last five matches.
- For the first time in 15 games under Guardiola, City failed to muster a single shot on target in a first half.
- De Bruyne's failure to re-emerge for the second half would have brought more gloom for City fans - he's been absent for each of their six league defeats in the calendar year.
- This place has been a fortress in the past but City have not won the last eight times they've been behind at the break - losing seven of them.
- Kelechi Iheanacho has now scored eight in his last 11 Premier League appearances for his club. He's needed only 17 shots to score his 11 goals in this competition.
- Saints fans got to see their record signing Sofiane Boufal for the first time in a Premier League gaame when he appered as a second half sub.
Big Picture
Next five fixtures
Manchester City
Weds Oct 26 - Manchester United (EFL Cup, a)
Sat Oct 29 - West Brom (Prem, a)
Tues Nov 1 - Barcelona (Champs League, h)
Sat Nov 5 - Middlesbrough (Prem, h)
Sat Nov 19 - Crystal Palace (Prem, a)
Southampton
Weds Oct 26 - Sunderland (EFL Cup, h)
Sun Oct 30 - Chelsea (Prem, h)
Tues Nov 3 - Inter Milan (Europa League, h)
Sun Nov 6 - Hull (Prem, a)
Sat Nov 19 - Liverpool (Prem, h)
Social Says
Dream Team ratings
Manchester City: Bravo 6; Stones 6, Kompany 6 (Navas 6), Kolarov 6, Sané 7 (Nolito 6), Fernandinho 7, Gündogan 6, Sterling 7, De Bruyne 5 (Iheanacho 45, 7), Agüero 6, Silva 6.
Goals: Iheanacho 54
Booked: Kolarov, Kompany, Aguero
Southampton: Forster 6; Martina 6, Fonte 7, van Dijk 7, McQueen 7, Clasie 6 (Hojbjerg 6), Romeu 7, Davis 6, Tadic 6 (Boufal 6), Redmond 7, Austin 6 (Ward-Prowse 6).
Goals: Redmond 27
Booked: Clasie, Romeu, Forster