Che Adams scored his first Premier League goal and in spectacular fashion too as Southampton fought hard to hold off Manchester City and earn a victory in a lively encounter at St Mary’s.
The forward, who joined Southampton from Birmingham City for £15m last July, lobbed a curler over goalkeeper Ederson with a first-time strike from 40 yards out after Oleksandr Zinchenko had lost possession in midfield.
The goal attracted a fierce reaction from City, as Fernandinho hit the post and in-form Alex McCarthy kept out David Silva’s header in the aftermath.
Saints goalkeeper, McCarthy, had the game of his life, saving on multiple occasions to frustrate the efforts of the visitors.
Southampton had a couple of opportunities to bury the game amid the increasing City pressure but neither Nathan Redmond nor Danny Ings could convert rare opportunities, while Ederson was alert to Stuart Armstrong’s swerving shot.
Southampton ensured they won’t falter for a second time as City did a comeback to win the reverse fixture 2-1 in November.
Defeat leaves Guardiola’s side 23 points behind Liverpool, who beat Aston Villa 2-0 earlier on Sunday.
It was the first time Pep Guardiola has lost three consecutive away league games in his managerial career with the goal scored on 16 minutes.
The City boss made six changes to the side, which schooled champions Liverpool 4-0 at Etihad Stadium on Thursday, with key playmaker Kevin de Bruyne among those initially rested.
The result moves Southampton up to 13th in the table, ensuring they play Premier League football again next season while Manchester City remain on 66 points in second place, 23 points behind champions, Liverpool.
Stats and facts from the match
- Pep Guardiola has lost three consecutive away league games for the first time in his managerial career.
- Man City have lost nine Premier League games this season, last losing more in a single campaign back in 2015-16 under Manuel Pellegrini (10).
- Man City made six changes to their starting XI for this game, the fifth time they’ve made six or more changes for a Premier League match this season. Indeed, the Citizens (120) have made 33 more changes than any other side in the division this campaign (Arsenal & Chelsea the next most with 87 each).
Liverpool secures 2 – 0 victory at home against Villa despite poor display
Liverpool forward Sadio Mane and young midfielder,Curtis Jones were both on target as below-par Reds still managed to beat Aston Villa by 2-0 at Anfield on Sunday.
It was their first home game since being crowned Premier League champions 10 days ago, Liverpool was fortunate to win against their relegation-threatened visitors, who had the better of the few chances at Anfield.
The Reds moved on to 89 points after second-half goals from Sadio Mane, who often time bail Liverpool out when they are having a bad day, and Curtis Jones secured the win.
Mane fired an effort in off the crossbar to beat former Reds goalkeeper Pepe Reina after being picked out by Naby Keita’s precision pass inside the box 19 minutes from time.
Curtis Jones, who just signed a new long-term deal at Anfield earlier in the week, doubled the lead coming on as a substitute with a well-placed finish late on, that confirmed Liverpool would move within two matches of becoming the first team to win every home game in a Premier League season.
Stats and facts from the match
- Liverpool have now won their past 34 Premier League matches when scoring the first goal of the game since a 1-1 draw with West Ham United in February 2019
- Liverpool are unbeaten in their past 57 Premier League home games (W47 D10)
- Aston Villa has failed to keep a clean sheet in their past 24 Premier League away games, since a 0-0 draw with West Brom in January 2016. It’s their longest such run in the top flight since September 1989 (38 games)
- Aston Villa are without a victory in nine Premier League games (D2 L7), the longest current winless run in the competition
- Liverpool’s Sadio Mane has been directly involved in eight goals in his past five Premier League appearances against Aston Villa (six goals, two assists).
- Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah registered his 100th Premier League goal involvement in his 116th appearance (73 goals, 27 assists) – only Alan Shearer (100 appearances) took fewer games to reach this milestone in the competition (Eric Cantona also 116 games).
Stalemate at both the St. James’ Park and at the Turf Moor
Newcastle 2 – 2 West Ham United
Newcastle came from behind twice to deny West Ham a second successive Premier League win, with the Hammers having to settle for a 2-2 draw.
Michail Antonio got the visitors off to a perfect start with a thunderous finish inside four minutes. But Newcastle reacted well and equalised 13 minutes later as Miguel Almiron (17) tapped home.
The Hammers took the lead for the second time when Tomas Soucek fired in from close range, but the Magpies drew level just 92 seconds later through Jonjo Shelvey.
Burnley 1 – 1 Sheffield United
Sheffield United deserved at least what they got out of the game away at the Turf Moor as John Egan scored with 10 minutes to go to earn the Blades a draw at fellow European hopefuls Burnley.
The defender struck a half-volley into the far top corner of the net to score after Billy Sharp flicked on from a short corner that was swung into the box.
Burnley took the lead in the 43rd minute as James Tarkowski had given the home side the lead with a sliding close-range finish.
Monday fixture: Tottenham Hotspur vs Everton
There’s still one more game to complete this round of fixture.
Tottenham Hotspur would look to bounce back from the midweek lost to Sheffield United when they welcome Carlo Ancelotti’s men to the Tottenham Stadium as Monday night football returns.
Boring. The fun dissipates once the champion is known.