In a surprising result from Week 36 of the 2024–25 Premier League season, relegation-threatened Southampton held defending champions Manchester City to a goalless draw at St. Mary’s Stadium on May 10, 2025. Despite City’s dominance in possession and attempts, Southampton defended with determination to earn a valuable point at home.
Match Summary
- Venue: St. Mary’s Stadium, Southampton
- Date: May 10, 2025
- Competition: Premier League, Matchday 36
- Final Score: Southampton 0 – 0 Manchester City
City entered the match chasing a top four finish, while Southampton rock bottom in the table were simply fighting for pride. What followed was a defensive masterclass from the home side and a frustrating day in front of goal for Pep Guardiola’s men. Premier League Updates
Key Moments and Performances
Southampton’s Defensive Stand
Despite being 20th in the league with only 2 wins all season, Southampton showed incredible resilience. Goalkeeper Alex McCarthy made several key saves, while defenders Jan Bednarek and Armel Bella-Kotchap were crucial in keeping City’s potent attack at bay.
City’s Missed Chances
Manchester City had over 70% possession and fired 18 shots but failed to find the breakthrough. Erling Haaland, Phil Foden all came close, but were either denied by McCarthy or off-target.
VAR Drama
In the 72nd minute, City were denied a penalty after a VAR review ruled that a handball shout against Southampton’s Kyle Walker-Peters was unintentional. Guardiola was visibly frustrated on the sidelines.
Match Statistics
| Statistic | Southampton | Manchester City |
| Possession | 29% | 71% |
| Shots (on target) | 5 (1) | 18 (5) |
| Pass Accuracy | 75% | 91% |
| Fouls Committed | 11 | 7 |
| Yellow Cards | 3 | 1 |
| Corners | 2 | 8 |
Tactical Insights
- Southampton’s Low Block: Manager Russell Martin deployed a compact 5-4-1 system, limiting City’s space in and around the box. Their tactical discipline was key to shutting down the likes of De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva.
- City’s Lack of Penetration: Guardiola’s side lacked the creative spark needed to break down deep-lying defenses. Despite constant pressure, there were too few decisive passes in the final third.
League Implications
This result dents Manchester City’s hopes of finishing in the top two and gives rivals Arsenal and Liverpool a clearer path ahead. Southampton, meanwhile, may already be mathematically relegated, but this draw offers a glimmer of pride in an otherwise dismal campaign.
- Manchester City: 4th place – 66 points from 36 matches
- Southampton: 20th place – 12 points from 36 matches
Reactions & Quotes
Pep Guardiola (Man City): “We controlled everything but the finishing. Credit to Southampton—they defended with their lives. We need to do better in the final two matches.”
Russell Martin (Southampton): “That was for our fans. The fight, the grit—it’s what we’ve been asking for all season. It’s bittersweet, but today was special.”
Southampton may be heading toward the Championship, but their performance against one of the Premier League’s giants was commendable. As for Manchester City, this goalless draw raises serious questions about their attacking efficiency under pressure. With just two matches left, they’ll need to rediscover their cutting edge quickly if they’re to secure Champions League football.
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