Manchester City defeated Southampton 1-0, with Erling Haaland netting the only goal, propelling the Cityzens to the top of the standings while the Saints continue to struggle.

In a tightly contested affair at the Etihad Stadium, Erling Haaland emerged as the hero for Manchester City, scoring the only goal of the match to propel his side to the top of the Premier League table. The victory also extended City’s unbeaten run in the league, a testament to their formidable form this season.

Pep Guardiola made four changes to the team that had dismantled Slavia Prague 5-0 in the UEFA Champions League just days earlier. Among the notable inclusions was Matheus Nunes, who made his first Premier League start of the season, while Phil Foden featured in the league for only the second time this campaign.

The breakthrough came early, with Haaland finding the net within five minutes. Nunes delivered a precise cross that the Norwegian striker expertly converted, poking the ball past Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale after outmaneuvering Jan Bednarek. It was a classic Haaland finish, showcasing his predatory instincts in front of goal.

However, as the match progressed, City struggled to maintain their attacking momentum. Despite their early advantage, they found it increasingly difficult to threaten the Southampton goal, allowing the visitors to grow in confidence as they sought an equaliser.

Looking ahead, Manchester City will travel to Tottenham next, aiming to secure a place in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup. Following that, they will return to league action with a home fixture against Bournemouth.

Meanwhile, Southampton will host Championship side Stoke City in their EFL Cup tie before welcoming Everton to St Mary’s for their next league encounter. The coming weeks promise to be crucial for both sides as they navigate their respective competitions.