Five Things Learned: Southampton 0-0 Manchester City (Premier League) | OneFootball

Manchester City sank to a disappointing goalless draw away to already-relegated Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

Pep Guardiola’s men travelled to St Mary’s Stadium at the weekend knowing that another three points would be crucial in the battle for the top-five places in the Premier League, with their southern opponents already-relegated.

With four consecutive Premier League wins behind them, Manchester City went in search of a fifth victory on Saturday afternoon, starting the better of the two sides in a frustrating contest as a whole.

The former Premier League champions plugged away throughout the course of the first-half but without creating too much in the way of clear-cut chances, leading to the match ending goalless at half-time.

Manchester City ramped up the pressure in the second-half with Pep Guardiola’s substitutes – including the likes of Jeremy Doku and Savinho – looking to make an instant impact after coming off the bench.

It was Omar Marmoush who came the closest in the second 45 minutes as the Egyptian struck the crossbar with a thunderous effort in the seven minutes of added time, but Manchester City still could not find the winner.

Here are Five Things We Learned from Manchester City’s drab draw on the south coast!

Chance after chance

Not for the first time this campaign, Manchester City huffed and puffed but could not blow the house down. Despite mounting pressure and some fantastic opportunities, Pep Guardiola’s men could not find that killer touch in front of the net.

Nico O’Reilly and Savinho came off from the bench and both missed open goal tap-ins simultaneously which really summed up City’s afternoon. To their credit, the team really gave in everything in the final period but this – as often the case this year – was too little, too late.

Many have pointed to injuries, poor transfer business or tactical choices to blame for this year’s questionable form but the real dagger has been the lack of one on the pitch most of the time.

Manchester City must find that free-scoring form again over the summer if they are to haul themselves back in the running for the title next season, perhaps with the aid of new recruits brought in during the market.

Lack of attempts on goal

For the second game in a row, Manchester City severely struggled in front of goal with just five shots on target from a whopping 26 attempts. Off the back of a close 1-0 win over Wolves last time out in the Premier League, the Sky Blues once again made hard work of it on Saturday.

High numbers of possession featured once more, as we have come to expect in the Pep Guardiola era, but the lack of intensity has been a continued unwanted presence throughout this season.

Next week’s FA Cup final represents a tough challenge against a dynamic and energetic side in Crystal Palace who are quite the threat. City must up the tempo and match this if they are to walk away with any significant silverware from what has been a disappointing campaign.

Welcome back, Erling Haaland

One issue with Manchester City’s poor season, among many, is that the team has been blighted by long-term injuries. From losing Rodri after the first few Premier League games to other extended absences, it has hit Pep Guardiola’s men and their form hard.

Star striker Erling Haaland was another victim of this against Bournemouth in March with the Norwegian missing the previous seven outings. Thankfully he made his return against Southampton, just in time for the goal-getter to play a part in the FA Cup final next week.

Unbeaten in 10

At first glance, the goalless scoreline of Saturday’s match is disappointing and that, quite frankly, is because it is. With several chances spurned and a disgusting amount of possession, Manchester City really should have done more versus Southampton.

However, with that being said, it is encouraging to see the team unbeaten now in 10 games in all competitions. Yes, that list features a few drab draws but, in comparison to the dismal first half of the campaign, some kind of form to finish on is undoubtedly a positive.

These are good building blocks for next season but, for the love of all that is holy, please score a goal next time lads.

Southampton unlucky?

It is fair to say Manchester City have made several opposing teams look better than they actually are this season due to the Blues’ own faults. This could be the same for City’s two matches against Southampton which have seen them score a mere total of one goal.

With relegation to the Championship already confirmed for the Saints with several matches remaining, the talk of fans is how poorly the team, and fellow relegation-hit side Leicester City, have been this season.

Southampton have actually looked okay in their two games against Pep Gaurdiola’s side this season, leaving you feeling that if the team had played this resolute throughout the campaign, perhaps the club would have avoided relegation.