Manchester City clashed heads with Southampton at St. Mary’s Stadium earlier today as they looked to pick up a positive result and secure qualification into the semi-final stage of the FA Cup. The Mancunian giants made a bright start to the game and got their noses ahead in the 12th minute courtesy of Raheem Sterling’s calm finish. However, Aymeric Laporte scored an unfortunate own goal in the latter stages of the first half as both teams went into the half-time break with a 1-1 scoreline.
Pep Guardiola’s men retook the lead in the 62nd minute when Kevin De Bruyne found the back of the net from the penalty spot. Phil Foden put daylight between the two sides just 13 minutes later before Riyad Mahrez got his name on the scoresheet in the 78th minute. The contest ended with Man City securing a 4-1 win on the road.
Let’s take a look at how each Manchester City player performed during the contest against the Saints.
GK: Zach Steffen – 6.5/10
The talented keeper made a couple of solid saves but will be disappointed for conceding a late goal in the first half.
RB: Kyle Walker – 6.5/10
He gave a good account of himself on the defensive end of the pitch and made one key chance going forward.
CB: John Stones – 7/10
Stones made a lot of important clearances at the back and performed well enough to restrict the opposition to just one goal.
CB: Aymeric Laporte – 6/10
The Spaniard scored an unfortunate own goal late in the first half. However, he recovered well and produced a solid display in the second.
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LB: Joao Cancelo – 7.5/10
The Portuguese left-back made a couple of crucial interceptions at the back and cleared the danger when needed. He also had a lively game in the opposition half.
CM: Kevin De Bruyne – 7.5/10
The Belgian international caused a lot of problems for the Southampton defenders with his creativity. He kept his composure to score from the penalty spot after the hour mark.
CM: Rodri – 7/10
The Spaniard made a few important clearances and had a couple of shot attempts as well.
CM: Ilkay Gundogan – 7/10
Gundogan engineered a few inviting chances for others around him and has got an assist to show for his efforts.
RW: Gabriel Jesus – 7/10
Jesus was always looking to create some decent chances for his teammates and ended the game with an assist to his name.
ST: Jack Grealish – 6/10
He struggled to make an impact in the final third and got substituted in the 63rd minute.
LW: Raheem Sterling – 8.5/10
Sterling was a constant menace down the left-wing and gave Man City the lead with a calm finish. He made multiple runs with the ball and deserves the man of the match award.
Substitutes:
ST: Phil Foden – 7/10
The English attacker came off the bench and got his name on the scoresheet.
RW: Riyad Mahrez – 7.5/10
He created all kinds of problems for the opposition defenders and registered a goal in the 78th minute.
LB: Oleksandr Zinchenko – N/A
Zinchenko hardly had any time to make an impact.
CB: Nathan Ake – N/A
He came on to see out the three points.
CM: Fernandinho – N/A
The Brazilian added some bite and steel to Guardiola’s midfield.
