Southampton 1-1 Man City: Player ratings as resilient Saints frustrate champions

Southampton denied Manchester City a 13th consecutive Premier League win by frustrating the reigning champions with a resilient performance at St Mary’s.

Kyle Walker-Peters’ first ever Premier League goal was eventually cancelled out by Aymeric Laporte, with Southampton taking points off City for the second time this season.

The Saints started in spectacular fashion and there were only seven minutes on the clock when Walker-Peters fired the hosts into the lead, making his first ever Premier League goal a special one with a well taken finish.

Playing well on the counter, Southampton had the ball in the net again midway through the first half when Armando Broja expertly finished beyond Ederson. But the rising star was fractionally offside.

City, on the other hand, were slow out of the blocks and not at their usual high standard of performance. They took time to grow into the game, although began turning the screw as the first half progressed to create some chances.

Raheem Sterling almost found an equaliser with a curling effort towards the far corner. The same player was then denied from close range by Fraser Forster, who poked the loose ball away with his foot to prevent the City star from gobbling up the rebound.

After the interval, the threat of Broja on the break remained. The youngster sped through again but Ederson and Aymeric Laporte did just enough between them to stop him. From the resultant corner, Broja then turned the ball onto the post from close-range.

Phil Foden and Rodri both went close to an equaliser just before the hour mark, the former seeing a volley beaten away by Forster and the latter grazing the top of the net.

Southampton were made to rue not extending their lead when Laporte equalised from a Kevin De Bruyne free-kick, ghosting between defenders to meet the inch-perfect cross with his head.

The goal gave City renewed belief and urgency, with De Bruyne curling an effort onto the post and impressive substitute Gabriel Jesus also testing Forster. There was also a lengthy VAR check for a potential trip on De Bruyne, eventually adjudged to be just outside the area. But Southampton held on until the end to claim a deserved point.

Southampton player ratings

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Fraser Forster (GK) - 7/10 - Impressed in goal, making several good saves.

Kyle Walker-Peters (RB) - 7/10 - A fine finish for his first ever Premier League goal just minutes into the game. Partially at fault for the equaliser.

Jan Bednarek (CB) - 6/10 - Defended aggressively on the front foot. His yellow card may have contributed to his withdrawal.

Mohammed Salisu (CB) - 9/10 - Was getting his head or a foot to virtually everything and was vital to his team securing this result.

Romain Perraud (LB) - 7/10 - Did well to handle the threat of Sterling.

2. Midfielders

Nathan Redmond (RM) - 7/10 - Got his fifth assist of the season and worked very hard defensively, but could only last until half-time.

James Ward-Prowse (CM) - 6/10 - His ability on the ball always made Southampton dangerous at any given moment.

Oriol Romeu (CM) - 7/10 - Spread the play excellently for the early breakthrough. Protected the back four.

Stuart Armstrong (LM) - 7/10 - Full of running. Switched flanks at half-time.

3. Forwards

Armando Broja (ST) - 8/10 - Denied a goal by the offside flag and looked sharp as he tried to test and stretch the City defence. Hit the post.

Che Adams (ST) - 5/10 - His contribution was mainly off the ball because City dominated and he didn't carry the same counter threat as Broja.

4. Substitutes

Mohamed Elyounoussi (LM) - 6/10 - Had to work hard defensively and couldn't really impact the game in an attacking sense.

Lyanco (CB) - 6/10 - Slotted in at the back in challenging circumstances.

Ibrahima Diallo (RM) - 6/10 - Fresh legs in the final 10 minutes were important.

Manchester City player ratings

5. Goalkeeper & defenders

Ederson (GK) - 6/10 - Didn't have loads to do because City were dominating so much of the ball and Southampton had few chances.

Kyle Walker (RB) - 6/10 - Got forward plenty and handled his defensive duties with relative comfort.

Ruben Dias (CB) - 6/10 - Didn't face a direct threat because Southampton's game plan was largely focused on counter attacking.

Aymeric Laporte (CB) - 7/10 - Could he have done more to close down Walker-Peters? Made up for that with the equaliser and made a key tackle to stop Broja from doubling Southampton's lead.

Joao Cancelo (LB) - 5/10 - The attacking quality that has defined his game this season wasn't really there.

6. Midfielders

Bernardo Silva (CM) - 5/10 - Didn't get to the same world class standard he has set himself this season.

Rodri (CM) - 5/10 - Passed the ball well as you would expect him to.

Kevin De Bruyne (CM) - 7/10 - Perfect set-piece delivery got City back into it after he had been too quiet for the first hour. Hit the post himself soon after and again went close later on.

7. Forwards

Raheem Sterling (RW) - 5/10 - Saw several chances go begging and was withdrawn with only an hour gone.

Jack Grealish (ST) - 4/10 - Lacked the guile to make his mark as a 'false nine'. But being asked to play in this role really doesn't help him.

Phil Foden (LW) - 5/10 - Guilty of poor pressing and not tracking Walker-Peters. Stung Forster's hands with a volley.

8. Substitutes

Gabriel Jesus (RW) - 7/10 - Made a positive impact that lifted his team.

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