Southampton 0-0 Man City: Player Ratings as Saints Avoid Unwanted Premier League History

Saturday afternoon at St. Mary’s was a peculiar one. Manchester City arrived on the south coast expecting a routine victory, but instead left with a solitary point and a sense of frustration. Southampton, rooted at the bottom of the Premier League and on the brink of historical infamy, showed rare grit to grind out a goalless draw.

It may not have been pretty. In fact, at times it bordered on desperate. But for the Saints, this result was about more than just 90 minutes of football. It was about pride, defiance, and avoiding a very unwanted record.

Saints Secure a Crucial Point to Escape Derby’s Shadow

Let’s be clear: this wasn’t just any 0-0 draw. For Southampton, this was a result that ensured they won’t go down as the worst team in Premier League history. By climbing to 12 points, they edge past Derby County’s notorious 11-point tally from the 2007/08 season—a target many thought they might not reach.

Sure, they’re still nailed to the bottom of the table, and relegation is a near-certainty. But this point gives them something to hold on to. And against a team of City’s calibre? That’s not nothing.

Southampton fans who stuck with the team through this painful season deserved a day like this—one that offered a flicker of resistance and some collective belief that there’s still a pulse left in this team.

Man City’s Title and Top Four Hopes Take a Dent

For Manchester City, it was a different story. Pep Guardiola’s men controlled the ball with trademark dominance—over 70% possession in the first half alone—but couldn’t find the key to unlock Southampton’s low block.

It’s not often that a City side fails to register a goal, and even less common when they don’t hit the target until the 40th minute. But that was the story here. Southampton sat deep, stayed organised, and waited. Ruben Dias’ speculative effort finally gave Aaron Ramsdale something to do five minutes before the break, and from there it was all uphill for City.

Despite their second-half push, including a late surge where Omar Marmoush rattled the bar in stoppage time, City couldn’t convert. They’ll look back on this as a missed opportunity in what is shaping up to be a tense fight for Champions League qualification.

Southampton Player Ratings: Heroes in a Back-Against-the-Wall Performance

Southampton held firm in defence / Mike Hewitt/GettyImages

Let’s take a closer look at how the Saints fared individually in this hard-earned point:

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – 8.5/10

The standout performer. Made a number of crucial saves and exuded calmness under pressure. His command of the box and quick reflexes were vital in keeping the clean sheet. A performance to remind people why he was once England’s No.1.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis (CB) – 6.4/10

Struggled a little against City’s movement but held firm when it mattered. Wasn’t flashy, but did enough to keep Haaland quiet.

Jan Bednarek (CB) – 7.5/10

A commanding display at the heart of the back three. Timed his interceptions well and made several key clearances. Played like a man who wasn’t ready to accept the drop just yet.

Jack Stephens (CB) – 7.0/10

Another solid outing from the Southampton veteran. Didn’t take risks, stayed compact, and kept things simple.

James Bree (RM) – 6.6/10

Worked tirelessly up and down the right flank. Had to defend more than he attacked, but his discipline was commendable.

Lesley Ugochukwu (CM) – 5.9/10

The weakest link in midfield. Looked overwhelmed at times by City’s movement and was substituted at the break. Struggled to get a grip on the game.

Flynn Downes (CM) – 7.0/10

A real workhorse. Covered a lot of ground and disrupted City’s rhythm where he could. Showed maturity beyond his years.

Welington (LM) – 7.1/10

Energetic and always on the move. Combined well with Stephens to shut down City’s attacks on the left. Subbed late on after a tireless shift.

Tyler Dibling (AM) – 6.0/10

Found it hard to impose himself on the game. Lacked the physicality to make an impact but didn’t shy away from the challenge.

Mateus Fernandes (AM) – 6.8/10

Looked tidy in possession and showed flashes of creativity. Helped relieve pressure when Southampton managed to get on the ball.

Kamaldeen Sulemana (ST) – 6.2/10

A lonely figure up top. Tried to stretch the play but was often isolated. Did his defensive duties well when called upon.

Substitutes:

• Joe Aribo (46’ for Ugochukwu) – 6.5/10
  Added some composure in midfield and helped slow City’s tempo.

• Cameron Archer (66’ for Dibling) – 6.1/10
  Fresh legs, not much impact.

• Ross Stewart & Ryan Manning (88’), Will Smallbone (90’) – N/A
  Late substitutions to waste time and see out the result.

Manchester City Player Ratings: Creativity Without the Cutting Edge

City could not find a way through / GLYN KIRK/GettyImages

Now to City—where many players had tidy performances, but the lack of goals says it all.

Ederson (GK) – 6.7/10

Had next to nothing to do for most of the game. Comfortable on the ball, as ever.

Rico Lewis (RB) – 7.1/10

Provided energy and width but didn’t get much change out of Welington. Subbed off in the second half.

Ruben Dias (CB) – 7.8/10

Led the backline with authority and nearly opened the scoring with a long-range effort. One of the more driven players on the pitch.

Manuel Akanji (CB) – 8.0/10

Looked solid and pushed into midfield at times. Tested Ramsdale with a fierce shot in the second half.

Josko Gvardiol (LB) – 7.4/10

Tried to create overlaps and offered a decent delivery. Defensively sound as well.

Bernardo Silva (DM) – 7.7/10

Elegant as ever in midfield. Played with intensity and almost scored with a close-range effort cleared off the line.

Mateo Kovacic (DM) – 7.6/10

Kept things ticking over nicely. Dictated the tempo but couldn’t break down Southampton’s wall.

James McAtee (RM) – 6.3/10

A quiet afternoon. Replaced at half-time.

Kevin De Bruyne (AM) – 8.0/10

The creative heartbeat. Orchestrated City’s attacks and played several teasing balls, but found no takers in the box.

Phil Foden (LM) – 6.9/10

Looked lively but didn’t produce a decisive moment. Hooked off in the 76th minute.

Erling Haaland (ST) – 6.8/10

Starved of service. Tried to drop deep but couldn’t influence the game as he usually does.

Substitutes:

• Jeremy Doku (46’ for McAtee) – 6.9/10
  Direct and dangerous, but the final ball was lacking.

• Nico O’Reilly & Savinho (76’), Omar Marmoush (84’) –
  Marmoush nearly became the hero with a late shot off the bar.

Final Thoughts: A Result That Meant Everything to One and Frustrated the Other

This wasn’t the kind of result that will go down in Premier League folklore for its beauty or brilliance. But for Southampton, it might just be one of the most important days of a miserable campaign. The Saints have now earned the right not to be remembered as the league’s worst-ever team—and for that alone, they deserve credit.

As for Manchester City, this was two points dropped in a tight top-four race. They’ll have to rediscover their ruthless streak—and fast.