Manchester City returned to the Premier League summit following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over struggling Southampton, extending their remarkable unbeaten league run to 32 games.
Erling Haaland struck in the fifth minute, muscling past Jan Bednarek to convert Matheus Nunes’ cross for his 11th league goal of the season. However, what initially promised to be a comfortable afternoon for the champions turned into a tenser affair than expected.
The Norwegian striker, who showed the physical nature of his battle with Bednarek through a torn shirt, endured an unusually wasteful performance after his early goal. He squandered several clear opportunities, including an extraordinary miss from a yard out early in the second half following Savinho’s cross. Former City defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis also denied Haaland with a goal-line clearance, while Aaron Ramsdale thwarted the forward’s stoppage-time effort.
Phil Foden, making only his second Premier League start this season, came close to doubling City’s advantage with a shot that flashed narrowly wide after the break.
Despite Southampton ‘s resilient defensive display, the result did little to ease their concerns at the wrong end of the table. Russell Martin’s side remain rooted to the bottom with just one point from their opening nine games. Their only consolation might be that they survived a similar start in 1998-99, their only previous winless opening to a top-flight campaign.
City’s victory puts them in a strong position ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Liverpool, as they edge closer to marking a full year since their last league defeat – a loss to Aston Villa on December 6. Manager Pep Guardiola will be particularly pleased to secure three points without adding to his already lengthy injury list.
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