Manchester City’s push for a top-five Premier League finish suffered an unexpected blow as they laboured to a goalless draw against already-relegated Southampton, who celebrated avoiding the ignominy of breaking Derby County’s infamous 11-point record.
Despite dominating possession and territory from the first whistle, City looked lethargic and uninspired, failing to register a shot on target in the opening half.
Kevin De Bruyne’s dipping free-kick was as close as they came before the break, as the Saints stood firm against wave after wave of pressure.
Pep Guardiola’s decision to unleash Jeremy Doku after the restart sparked a brief flurry. The Belgian winger created City’s best chance of the night with a dazzling run and cutback, only for Bernardo Silva to be denied by a heroic goal-line clearance from Jack Stephens.
Even when Erling Haaland teed up youngster Nico O’Reilly with the goal gaping, the moment proved too big.
The substitute fluffed his lines completely, summing up a night of mounting frustration for the hosts.
With time ticking away, City threw everything forward. De Bruyne, Savinho and Omar Marmoush all went close, but the decisive breakthrough never arrived.
Southampton, toothless for much of the campaign, clung on grimly to secure just their third clean sheet of the season.
City still control their own fate in the race for Europe, but nights like this could come back to haunt them.
