Osvaldo 42' Aguero 10'
A touch of Ronaldo from Daniel Osvaldo ensured Manchester City only took a point from St.Mary's Stadium on Saturday.
The blues, fresh from a confidence inducing 3-2 over West Brom on Wednesday night, began the game menacingly and tested Southampton's injury plagued side with some intricate play down the left hand side. City's hard work paid off early and Sergio Aguero finished brilliantly from an Aleksandar Kolarov cross after just 10 minutes.
Sergio Aguero celebrates his 12th goal of the season.
The Argentine's 12th league goal of the season promised Pellegrini a vacation from his sides travelling troubles, however, Southampton responded in exquisite fashion. James Ward-Prowse and Adam Lallana were running circles around the unusually anonymous couplet of Yaya Toure and Fernandinho and multiple chances were wasted by Pochettino's side. Unfortunately, the fragility of the blues' defence never looked likely to escape the inevitable goal. Unsurprisingly, it came and Daniel Osvaldo's delicious curl into the top corner can already being considered as a contender for goal of the season. Personally, I believe Negredo's audacious turn and finish against Tottenham Hotspur was better, but we'll see the results at a later date.
Daniel Osvaldo watches on as his curled effort beats Costel Pantillimon.
Three defeats in three or not, a visit to St.Mary's Stadium was always going to be a frustrating fixture. Pochettino's side have added a fresh vitality to the league this season and the future of the English national team looks safe in the arms of Southampton. James Ward-Prowse, Nathaniel Clyne, Adam Lallana and even Ricky Lambert have glistened under the watchful eyes of Roy Hodgson this season, but Southampton's real saint on Saturday was 18 year-old Luke Shaw.
The left-back tormented both James Milner and Pablo Zabeleta incessantly throughout the 90 minutes and generated most of Southampton's dangerous attacking play. The few counter attacks City managed to conjure could have produced goals, but Samir Nasri and Sergio Agüero's efforts both went sailing over the bar and City always looked second best. An quiet Alvaro Negredo and a tireless James Milner made way for the legs and strength of Jesus Navas and Javi Garcia, but the extra man in midfield did little to suppress the Saint's penetrating play and City did well to hold onto the draw.
The majority of blues will agree that the 1-1 draw was a fortunate result for Manuel Pellegrini's side and will consider it a point gained rather than two points lost. Sighs of relief sounded at the final whistle and the Chilean will be happy with the point, but in truth, City escaped another away day defeat on Saturday.
Player Ratings
Costel Pantillimon 7Unlike Joe Hart, Pantillimon has a tendency to stay on his line but his hands were safe as Southampton assaulted his goal. Could do nothing for Osvaldo's exquisite equaliser.
Pablo Zabaleta 6Struggled with the creativity and pace of Luke Shaw but gave a typically tireless performance.
Martin Demichelis 5Another shaky performance from the Argentine who is struggling to cope with the pace of the Premier League. Can't help but feel Joleon Lescott would be a better option.
Vincent Kompany 6Not his solid self as he lost Osvaldo for the goal and surrended in a number of aerial battles. One world class clearance proved the Belgian just had an off day.
Aleksandar Kolarov 7Wasn't troubled defensively and proved again how dangerous he can be down the left flank with an assist.
Samir Nasri 7Always tried to make things happen but squandered a decent chance in the second half.
Fernandinho 6Should have been City's key man, spreading balls around and holding the midfield together, but he found himself chasing tails all game.
Yaya Toure 5The Ivorian's fluctuating season continues to bob up and down and this was one of his worst performances in a City shirt. His powerful presence was nowhere to be seen and he was deservedly substituted.
James Milner 6Like Zabaleta, he struggled to cope with Luke Shaw and failed to set Aguero free with a number of wayward passes.
Sergio Aguero 7
Grabbed his customary goal with an instinctive finish but wasn't given the service to make much of an impression on the game.
Alvaro Negredo 6A performance to forget for the Spaniard who never really got going.Substitutes
Garcia 6 - Presence didn't prevent Southampton from controlling the game.
Dzeko 6 - Did little to affect the game.
Navas 5 - Couldn't make an impact.
