Awful for fans
Manchester City fans have been treated to incredible highs from Pep Guardiola's side over the last six years. As they prepare to face Manchester United on Saturday, it is worth remembering the giddiness at the Etihad in the reverse fixture this season when a 6-3 scoreline hugely flattered the visitors.
But that doesn't give the squad a free pass, and those supporters who went to great time and expense to travel down for the Southampton game received in return a performance that was lacking in just about everything it takes to win a football match. They were shaky defensively, anonymous in attack, and while the team wasn't the strongest at the beginning of the match there were plenty of stars on it by the end.
All will be forgotten quickly - plenty will have enjoyed the trip regardless of the football and some fans may even wear it as a badge of honour to have been there for a night where nothing went right - but it would still be nice if their effort was properly acknowledged by those whose contributions amounted to more foul throws (2) than shots on target (0).
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Bazunu impresses
Gavin Bazunu cost Southampton considerably more than the free transfer that was Stefan Ortega, but there was no question who looked the better goalkeeper on the night. The Saints keeper had the advantage of not having a shot on target to deal with, although he surely would have done if he had been as out of position as Ortega was for the Southampton second.
Romeo Lavia has been the City exit from summer who has commanded the most attention, but it will also be worth keeping an eye on Bazunu, whose stock has risen again this season. As well as having a buyback option, City will also get a portion of the fee if another club decides to move for the Irish stopper.
More pressure on the derby
Having started with key players on the bench for Southampton, Guardiola has now added pressure to City for the derby.
It was clear from the teamsheet that the Premier League game at the weekend with United had been prioritised, even if five certain starters for that game were brought off the bench to try and rescue the league cup quarter in the second half. There is no problem with that whatsoever, but having not got the result they wanted at Southampton the manager now needs to show that the decision was justified by finding a team and a strategy that can beat United at Old Trafford.
Kit clash
Not the most important point but there was a common sense failure from whoever decided the kits of both teams.
City, as the away team, have a fine away kit but it was understandable not to use it as their red-and-black strip would clash with Southampton's red-and-white. Instead of going with the blue shirts and white shorts of the home kit though City instead played in their third kit.
That isn't good to look at at the best of times but it meant both teams wore dark shorts in a clear clash, and then yellow shirts against the white-and-red of Southampton.
Surely both teams playing in their home kits is the ideal choice? It was certainly the pick that contained the smallest clash.
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