Pep Guardiola praised winless Southampton and said he can learn from the way Russell Martin’s bottom-placed side made life hard in Manchester City’s narrow victory.
Having failed to win a single Premier League match since promotion and last week suffering added-time heartbreak against Leicester, it felt like a case of how many the hosts would win by on Saturday.
Erling Haaland’s fifth-minute opener only increased the sense of inevitability, but Southampton stuck to under-fire Martin’s principles and made life challenging for the champions at the Etihad Stadium.
Cameron Archer struck the crossbar on the stroke of half-time and City eventually ran out 1-0 victors, putting them top of the table ahead of Sunday’s clash between Arsenal and Liverpool.
Guardiola told Sky Sports: “Today it was not how (Southampton) defend deep, it was how good they play with the ball with the keeper and the movement.
“It’s a good game to learn as a manager. I am going to learn a lot with Russell because they did really well. We were humble and accepted that they did really well.”
It was an eye-catching remark by all-conquering City head coach Guardiola and picked up on in the post-match press conference.
“I’m a big believer for the process to the build-up,” the City boss said. “I prefer the players get the ball to the feet, not the teeth.
“When that happens it’s because it was an incredible process. We were not sloppy, we were not flat but we struggled to regain the ball because they are really good.
.@rubendias 💪
🤝 @okx pic.twitter.com/yImKpKJggp
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 26, 2024
“I’m a spectator, when I see the opponent do the things I like to do with my team and they do it really well, I make a compliment. I’m sure I will learn. Some movements, the reasons why they do it.
“They make movements to link to the striker, over players on the side to bring you there.
“It’s not easy, but we created enough chances to win better. I like to win in that way, as it proved in the last two games against Wolves and Southampton, who right now are bottom of the league and look how difficult.
“When people say in the Premier League everyone can beat everyone, yeah, that is the truth. Every game is a battle, it’s so difficult.
“I don’t have any complaints about my team because when the opponent is good you have to accept it. This is what happened.”
Southampton were brave in possession and well drilled without it, but ultimately the result saw them equal their longest winless league start to a season.
Saints also went nine without a victory at the start of 1998-99 and went onto stay up by finishing 17th, with Martin saying the display against City increases his belief of beating the drop.
“Our job is to give them a team to be proud of, that plays in a way they can identify with, and that team today ran so hard and played with so much courage,” Martin said.
“I’ve believed since the start of the season that the players can play in this way in the Premier League and enable us to stay up, and today’s given me even more belief in that.
“But we have a massive two weeks coming ahead starting on Tuesday.”
Southampton host Everton and travel to Wolves in the Premier League after Tuesday’s Carabao Cup tie at home to Stoke.
"I''m so proud of the players." ✊
The manager on a performance to build on:
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) October 26, 2024
Martin thought he would miss the Toffees clash having collected a third booking of the season for his reaction to Flynn Downes’ yellow card for a clean tackle on Bernardo Silva.
But the Football Association has confirmed to the PA news agency that the touchline ban will fall against Stoke.
“We had an apology last week about a decision that was made that we weren’t given (against Leicester in a 3-2 defeat),” Martin said.
“I didn’t say anything after the game in the press but today I am because I didn’t swear at the fourth official, I threw my arms up in the air at a bad decision and I get booked for it.
“I’m not happy because I miss a game next week. If I’m wrong and I deserve a yellow card, then I hold my hands up.
“But today I think that it’s nonsense. I’ll probably get a fine for that as well but it is nonsense.”
[(Leeds United) Strength]: 1. After relegation, Leeds United returned to the Premier League this season as the EFL Championship winners. The team significantly strengthened their squad during the summer transfer window, with the goal of staying in the Premier League this season. For their opening home game against Everton, they are determined to secure a winning start to the league, showing strong...
[(Elche) Strength]: 1. As the newly promoted team this season, Elche are motivated to start with a home win in their debut.2. In the summer window, Elche signed midfielder Federico Redondo, Real Madrid loan forward Alvaro Rodriguez, and Valencia CF striker German Valera.3. Elche finished 22 wins, 11 draws, and 9 losses in the Segunda Division last season, smoothly being promoted as the 2nd-placed ...
Liverpool's asking price for Konate revealed amid Madrid interestAccording to Mundo Deportivo, Liverpool have informed all interested parties that they would demand a fee in the region of £35 million, amid strong interest from Real Madrid. Los Blancos have been linked with a move for the French centre-back since last month, when it was reported that Konate had refused to sign a new contract.K...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Man Utd 0-1 Corner FC Man Utd vs Arsenal 1st half Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace Viktor Gyokeres Chelsea The most touches by any player in Premier League history Onana on the bench watching Bayindir… Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, FootballLaughss)...
Lamela explains retirement decision: It started 11 years ago...Former Tottenham and Roma midfielder Erik Lamela says his hip problems has forced him into retirement.The Argentine, while contracted to Sevilla, announced his retirement last week at the age of 33 and last night took to social media to explain his decision.Lamela said: "I want to announce that I have made the decision to end my profes...
Brentford concern as Man Utd, Spurs join Liverpool in Collins battleBrentford face a battle to keep hold of captain Nathan Collins this month.The 24 year-old defender is attracting interest from the Premier League's biggest clubs before the September 1 deadline.The Daily Mail says Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham are all targeting Collins as they seek a new centre-half addition.The Repub...
Mo Salah and Federico Chiesa of Liverpool celebrateTitle challengers Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal all made winning starts but in contrasting fashion on the first weekend of the Premier League season.Defending champions Liverpool needed late drama to beat Bournemouth on an emotional night at Anfield, City cruised to a 4-0 win at Wolves, while Arsenal fought a rearguard action to hold on t...
Willian set for 'key' Chelsea role after debut vs PalaceChelsea manager Enzo Maresca praised new signing Estevao Willian after the Brazilian dazzled on his Premier League debut against Crystal Palace. Introduced in the 54th minute for fellow recruit Jamie Gittens, he impressed Stamford Bridge with his speed and skillful play.Maresca has predicted that Willian will become an “important”...
BVB, Monaco and Ajax go for unwanted West Ham midfielder AlvarezWest Ham United are inviting offers for Edson Alvarez.The Mexico international has been transfer-listed by the Hammers as they seek to raise funds late in the summer window.TMW says West Ham boss Graham Potter has approved Alvarez's sale as he sees the Mexico captain as surplus to requirements.Despite Potter's opinion, Alvarez is attr...
Man Utd winger Sancho stalling Roma moveManchester United winger Jadon Sancho must accept a drastic pay-cut to complete a move to AS Roma.United and Roma have reached agreement over a fee for the England international. However, local media sources say the move is stalling due to Sancho's reluctance to accept Roma's current contract offer.United have accepted an offer of €23m from Roma for Sa...
- 1 Brentford Agree Deal to Sign Dango Ouattara From Bournemouth
- 2 TIPS - Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas VS Liga Deportiva Universitaria
- 3 Hummels snubs son for match with new model girlfriend
- 4 TIPS - Villarreal VS Real Oviedo
- 5 Agent of Real Madrid defender David Alaba responds to Saudi Pro League transfer speculation as Spanish giants ponder selling 33-year-old after injury woes
- 6 TIPS - Club Necaxa VS Club Leon
- 7 Emotional Arne Slot admits he had wanted to bring late Diogo Jota on as a substitute in Liverpool's dramatic victory over Bournemouth
- 8 Benjamin Sesko vs Viktor Gyokeres: Man Utd-Arsenal showdown sets early stage for big-money No.9s to show the Premier League what they can offer
- 9 Lamela explains retirement decision: It started 11 years ago...
- 10 TIPS - Cambuur Leeuwarden VS FC Oss