Manchester City needed an equaliser from Kelechi Iheanacho to salvage a point against Southampton at the Etihad.
Southampton’s Nathan Redmond celebrates scoring their first goal
Pep Guardiola failed to win for his fifth successive game on Sunday as his Manchester City side drew 1-1 with Southampton at the Etihad. Here are five things we learned from the encounter.
1. Iheanacho needs to start
With all the firepower at their disposal, it seems peculiar that Manchester City depend rather drastically on goals from Kelechi Iheanacho. However, he’s perhaps earned himself a starting berth given his performances this season. His positioning and calm in front of goal is rivalled only by Sergio Aguero in the City squad and should be merited with a role in the first team.
Manchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho scores their first goal
2. Redmond works up top
When Claude Puel first said to Sky Sports he wished to turn Nathan Redmond into a Thierry Henry-esque striker, many laughed. However, after pinching opportunistic goals in his last two games and running defences ragged, they may not be laughing now. If he continues this vein of form, his partnership with Charlie Austin will be feared across the league.
3. Van Dijk is one of the league’s best
As if it was not already apparent, Virgil van Dijk can now consider himself to be in the upper echelons of Premier League defenders. The manner in which he pocketed Aguero in yesterday’s encounter was magnificent and his calmness on the ball passed throughout the side as they held on with the minimum of fuss. The Saints will do well to keep hold of him past next summer if he keeps up this form.
Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk in action with Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero
4. City need to cut out mistakes
While it’s silly to question Guardiola’s methods given his track record, you have to wonder about what his plan is at City. Sunday marked yet another defensive horror show in recent weeks as a result of his desire to play out from the back as Redmond seized upon a John Stones howler. They have the firepower to dispatch lesser opposition, but they must cut out the mistakes soon if they want to compete for the title.
5. The Premier League is up for grabs again
Manchester City’s poor run of form speaks to a team still in transition. This makes for an incredibly exciting title race; a title race which is already tantalisingly poised. Just one point separates City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea – and with more weekends like that, this season will keep us guessing right until the end.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts
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