Football
Erling Haaland The Difference Maker As Manchester City Narrowly Beat Southampton 1-0
Cai is a news and features writer that specialises in football, but has experience covering a variety of other sports, including darts, basketball, American football, MMA, boxing and more. He holds a degree in Football Journalism (BA Hons) from the University of Derby, and worked with Nottingham Forest FC and Burton Albion FC throughout his studies. Cai also has experience working in social media with the Football Association of Wales, where he worked on a freelance basis, and has also been an accredited writer in the JD Cymru Premier for both Y Clwb Pêl-Droed and welshfootie since the 2019/20 season.
Get to know Cai Parry betterPublished26 Oct 2024
Erling Haaland’s first half strike proved to be the difference as Manchester City defeated Southampton 1-0 at the Etihad, and you can find the full match highlights below.
Haaland Goal Makes The Difference For City
Manchester City got off to a flying start against struggling Southampton at the Etihad on Saturday afternoon, as Erling Haaland turned home Matheus Nunes’ cross, once again, in acrobatic fashion five minutes into the tie.
The goal brought an end to the Norwegian’s three game goalscoring drought in the Premier League, extending his lead at the top of the division’s goalscoring charts with 11 goals in nine appearances thus far in 2024/25.
It builds on his midweek performance against Sparta Prague in the Champions League, where he scored two goals as the Cityzens registered a stunning 5-0 victory to climb up to third place in the league phase standings.
Many would’ve written the Saints off after conceding so early in the game, but to their credit, they continued to battle, with Cameron Archer going close by rattling the crossbar on the stroke of half-time.
Phil Foden had the opportunity to double City’s lead almost immediately after returning in the second-half, but swung his effort just wide of the mark. Minutes later, Haaland could’ve, and probably should’ve, had his second, but like Foden, sent his effort wide of the mark.
The hosts continued to threaten Russell Martin’s side, with Haaland even seeing a headed effort cleared off the line, but the early opener proved to be the difference maker come the full time whistle, with City running out as 1-0 winners.
WATCH: Manchester City 1-0 Southampton Highlights
Three points see City climb to the summit of the Premier League table, albeit for 24 hours if Liverpool beat Arsenal on Sunday, and next up they face a trip to the English capital to take on Tottenham in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
Southampton, meanwhile, drop to the bottom of the table after Wolves’ snatched a late point against Brighton at the Amex, and they host Everton in a crucial clash next weekend after facing Stoke in the cup on Tuesday.