4 Things We Learned As Manchester City Beat Southampton 2-1

4 Things We Learned As Manchester City Beat Southampton 2-1
22:15, 29 Nov 2017

Raheem Sterling’s dramatic late winner moved Manchester City eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

City took the lead via Kevin De Bruyne’s 47th-minute strike before Oriol Romeu equalised for Southampton and then Sterling popped up in the 96th minute to seal a historic win.

1. History makers should take a bow

Nothing, it seems, can stop City right now. Once again eight points clear at the Premier League summit, their 2-1 victory over Southampton marked a 12th successive league win, a feat they have now achieved for the first time in their history. That underlines the quality of the class of 2017/18 and it is clear that it will take a special team to stop them being crowned champions. Manchester United and the rest of City’s title rivals must feel like that Pep Guardiola’s men perhaps cannot be caught.

2. City can grind out results.Much has been made of City's ability to reduce their opposition to rubble with a style and a panache that has made them runaway league leaders – but they have also developed the coveted knack of grinding out results. As with their 2-1 win at Huddersfield Town on Sunday, Guardiola's men did just enough to eke out another three points against Southampton. In their previous six home league games this season, City had scored a staggering 24 goals – double the number they had scored after six home matches in 2016-17. Their win over Saints was not exactly freeflowing, but in the end it did not matter. City’s title bandwagon keeps on rolling.

3. Raheem Sterling is a priceless asset for City

The England striker’s late winner lifted City eight points clear at the Premier League summit and raised more doubts about whether they can be stopped this season.

It was Sterling’s 13th goal of the campaign – his previous best return was 11 – and the Christmas decorations have not even gone up yet. 

Sterling is making a habit of scoring late winners, having struck in the closing stages of Sunday’s 2-1 win at Huddersfield. 

His game has gone to a new level under Guardiola and he is fast emerging as their most dangerous player.

4. Mauricio Pellegrino is impressing at Southampton

Pellegrino was appointed as Saints boss during the summer and has quietly made his mark on the south coast.

Guardiola and Pellegrino were Barcelona team-mates in their 1998-99 La Liga-winning side.

Having presided over a demolition of Everton at the weekend, Southampton made life difficult for City at the Etihad Stadium.

They were on course for a well-earned point until Sterling struck late – very late – on to maintain the hosts' relentless title challenge.

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