Follow live coverage as Southampton face Manchester City today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Manchester City look to make it an unprecedented five titles in a row come the end of 2024/25.
The likes of Arsenal and Liverpool will be chasing Pep Guardiola's side, but just as fascinating will be the race for Champions League places, with more teams than ever before having designs on top-four finishes. Chelsea remain big-spending, Manchester United's latest rebuild continues and both Tottenham and Newcastle will expect improvements this year - yet it was Aston Villa who snared fourth last term.
Meanwhile, it's Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:
Southampton FC 0 - 0 Manchester City FC
Southampton vs Manchester City
17:05The full-time whistle blows at St.Marys as Southampton and Manchester City play out a goalless draw. The point for the Saints sees them avoid equalling Derby’s unwanted record of lowest-ever Premier League points total (11) from 2007-08. Meanwhile, for the Citizens they drop crucial points in the battle for Champions League qualification. City have played a game more than sixth-placed Nottingham Forest who have the opportunity to narrow the gap to one point when they face Leicester City at home. The first half saw Pep Guardiola’s side dominate proceedings with Kevin De Bruyne coming close with a free-kick which sailed just over Aaron Ramsdale’s crossbar. The second half saw the visitors push for a winner but Southampton’s resolute defence stood firm but also needed a stroke of luck as Omar Marmoush saw a late effort smash the crossbar. Southampton’s lack of opportunities in front of goal was reflected through an xG of 0.11, while on the other hand, City created numerous chances but lacked the cutting edge in the final third as highlighted through an xG of 1.89. Thank you for reading and take care.
Southampton vs Manchester City
16:57FULL-TIME: SOUTHAMPTON 0-0 MAN CITY
Southampton vs Manchester City
16:56PENALTY SHOUT! It's a brilliant run from Marmoush who drives into the Southampton box before finding O'Reilly. The Man City youngster goes down in the area and is bundled to the ground but play is waved on! VAR clears the decision and it's no penalty!
Southampton vs Manchester City
16:52Substitution Mateus Gonçalo Espanha Fernandes William Anthony Patrick Smallbone
Southampton vs Manchester City
16:52OFF THE WOODWORK! Nearly the winner for Man City. Marmoush pounces on a Southampton loose ball and wraps his effort towards goal but his sublime shot crashes off Ramsdale's crossbar!
Southampton vs Manchester City
16:50There will be seven minutes added on at St.Marys.
Southampton vs Manchester City
16:48CHANCE! Nearly an immediate impact by Marmoush. The ball falls to the Egypt international in the Saints box but his prodded effort is blocked by a host of Southampton players.
Southampton vs Manchester City
16:47Substitution Welington Damascena Santos Ryan Phelim Manning
Southampton vs Manchester City
16:47Substitution Kamaldeen Sulemana Ross Cameron Stewart
Southampton vs Manchester City
16:45DOUBLE SAVE! Man City are pushing for a goal. The first chance falls to Haaland who sees his header find Savinho but the Brazilian sees his shot saved by Ramsdale. The second chance sees Dias' header tipped over the crossbar by the former Arsenal goalkeeper.
Southampton vs Manchester City
16:43Substitution Mateo Kovačić Omar Khaled Mohamed Abd Elsala Marmoush
Southampton vs Manchester City
16:43As it stands, Man City would be four points above sixth-placed Nottingham Forest, who would have a game in hand, if this ends level at St.Marys. Meanwhile, for Southampton if they manage to hold on here they will avoid equalling Derby’s lowest-ever points total (11) from 2007-08.
Southampton vs Manchester City
16:40WIDE! Man City are pushing for a winner late on. This time, the ball is recycled back to Akanji but his curling effort from outside the area drifts wide of the target.
Southampton vs Manchester City
16:37HUGE CHANCE! De Bruyne plays Haaland through and the Norway international squares the ball to the two substitutes O'Reilly and Savinho but neither of them can tap the ball into an empty net! That should have been 1-0! Pep Guardiola cannot believe what has happened on the touchline!
Southampton vs Manchester City
16:34Substitution Rico Henry Mark Lewis Nico O'Reilly
Southampton vs Manchester City
16:34Substitution Philip Walter Foden Sávio Moreira de Oliveira
Southampton vs Manchester City
16:33We are approaching the final 15 minutes at St.Marys. Can either side get a winner or are we heading to a goalless draw?
Southampton vs Manchester City
16:31SAVE! Akanji meets De Bruyne's super delivery with a clever header and forces Ramsdale into making an awkward save. That was sharp reactions from the former Arsenal goalkeeper as it looked certain to nestle into the back of the net.
Southampton vs Manchester City
16:29END TO END! Archer comes straight into the action and sees his shot blocked in the penalty area. However, City break at pace on the counter attack through Doku as the Belgian feeds Haaland but Ramsdale closes the space and collects the ball before he can fire on goal.
Southampton vs Manchester City
16:25OFF THE LINE! The lively Doku lays the ball into the path of Silva and the Portugal international pokes his effort towards goal but Stephens is there to make a vital clearance!
Southampton vs Manchester City
16:24Substitution Tyler-Jay Robert Dibling Cameron Desmond Archer
Southampton vs Manchester City
16:24CLOSE! Foden curls a teasing free-kick into the box and it flies inches away from both the far post and the boot of Haaland. The England international is growing into this game...
Southampton vs Manchester City
16:20CHANCE! Man City are piling on the pressure. This time, Foden's effort falls to Silva in the box but the Southampton defence are quick to smother the ball before the Portugal international can test Ramsdale.
Southampton vs Manchester City
16:15Yellow Card Flynn Downes
Southampton vs Manchester City
16:15BLOCK! More Man City pressure in the second half. Kovacic and Gvardiol both fire shots on goal but the Saints defenders stand their ground once more and the chance comes to nothing.
Southampton vs Manchester City
16:12CLOSE! Fernandes drives forward for Southampton before lifting the ball over the top of Akanji as he tries to find Sulemana but the Swiss defender tracks the ball well to cut it out.
Southampton vs Manchester City
16:10Doku marauds down the left-hand side but his cross is over the head of Foden, who looked to be his intended target. Doku has completed more dribbles than any other player in the Premier League this season (102), while he also has the highest dribble success rate of anyone to attempt at least 60 (61.5%).
Southampton vs Manchester City
16:09CLOSE! De Bruyne looks to turn provider once more for Man City. The Belgian curls a teasing ball into the box and it nearly finds Haaland but Stephens just heads it clear before it reaches the Norwegian.
Southampton vs Manchester City
16:05We are back underway for the second half.
Southampton vs Manchester City
16:04Substitution Lesley Chimuanya Ugochukwu Joseph Oluwaseyi Temitope Ayodele-Aribo
Southampton vs Manchester City
16:03Substitution James John McAtee Jérémy Baffour Doku
Southampton vs Manchester City
15:55The first half at St.Marys has lacked clear cut chances in front of goal. This has been reflected through both teams xG of 0.03 for Southampton and 0.47 for Manchester City. Both sides will be looking to improve their performance in the second half.
Southampton vs Manchester City
15:53The half-time whistle blows at St.Marys as Southampton and Manchester City head into the break goalless. The visitors have dominated possession of the ball throughout the opening 45 minutes, but have been unable to break down a stubborn Saints defence. Kevin De Bruyne came close to scoring from a free-kick, but saw his effort just sail over Aaron Ramsdale’s crossbar. Erling Haaland, who has returned from injury after missing the last seven matches has struggled to make an impact much to the delight of the home side. The Opta predictor currently has Pep Guardiola’s side as overwhelming favourites to take the three points from here with a 66% chance.
Southampton vs Manchester City
15:48HALF-TIME: SOUTHAMPTON 0-0 MAN CITY
Southampton vs Manchester City
15:46There will be two minutes of added time at the end of the first half at St. Mary’s.
Southampton vs Manchester City
15:44CLOSE! More Southampton pressure! It's great work from Fernandes who lashes in a cross into the box but Sulemana can't get goalside of Dias to tap the ball past Ederson and into the Man City net.
Southampton vs Manchester City
15:43Yellow Card Lesley Chimuanya Ugochukwu
Southampton vs Manchester City
15:43SAVE! Dias tries his luck from range twice and eventually gets the second effort on target but it's a straightforward stop for Ramsdale. That was never going to trouble the former Arsenal goalkeeper...
Southampton vs Manchester City
15:42SHOT! For all Man City's domination in this game, Southampton are proving a tough nut to crack. This time, Sulemana weaves his way into the City box before somehow managing to squeeze a shot through but it was never going to trouble Ederson. Good intent from the Saints.
Southampton vs Manchester City
15:39Man City have dominated the first half, however, they don't have many chances to show for it. Southampton have all 11 bodies back defending resolutely and behind the ball which is proving difficult for City to overcome.
Southampton vs Manchester City
15:37CHANCE! Man City are edging closer. This time, Foden stands a teasing ball up towards the back post but it's just over the head of Haaland who was closing in. That was inches away from being 1-0...
Southampton vs Manchester City
15:34OVER! The lively De Bruyne drives into space but is brought down by two Southampton players just outside the area. The Belgian stands over the free-kick before lashing his effort just over Ramsdale's crossbar.
Southampton vs Manchester City
15:30The visitors are zipping the ball nicely around the Southampton half but are getting frustrated by the lack of space in the final third. McAtee whips in a cross looking for Haaland but his delivery sails out of play to the relief of Ramsdale.
Southampton vs Manchester City
15:28Southampton launch another attack as Dibling finds Fernandes just outside the City area. However, the Saints midfielder is eased off the ball before he can break into the box and the chance comes to nothing.
Southampton vs Manchester City
15:27BIG CHANCE! Man City attack once more as Foden curls a lovely cross to the lively Gvardiol at the back post. The Croatian international heads it back across the face of goal but it's behind Haaland who was inches away from sweeping home.
Southampton vs Manchester City
15:25Despite Man City dominating possession of the ball, Southampton have done well to keep Pep Guardiola's side from creating any clear goalscoring opportunities. For the first time in the match, Dibling gets his team forward before Sulemana wins a free-kick.
Southampton vs Manchester City
15:22Another Man City attack nearly results in a chance. The visitors work the ball well into the Southampton penalty area and it nearly concludes with McAtee pulling the trigger but the ball is poked away before he can fire on goal.
Southampton vs Manchester City
15:20Man City's domination in the opening 15 minutes has been reflected through the possession stats. Pep Guardiola's side have had 80.3% possession over the opening 15 minutes of this game while 60.7% of the action has been in the Southampton third over the last 15 minutes. Ominous.
Southampton vs Manchester City
15:18It's been a relentless opening 15 minutes from Man City. At times, it has looked like a training session with the visitors knocking the ball around comfortably and the hosts struggling to get out of their own half.
Southampton vs Manchester City
15:16CLOSE! It's nearly a horrible mix-up in the Southampton penalty box. Ramsdale cannons his wayward clearance off the back of his own teammate Bednarek and the ball just loops out of play! That would have summed up Southampton's season if that went in.
Southampton vs Manchester City
15:14The visitors are just toying with their opponents in the opening minutes at St. Mary’s. It feels like a matter of when they take the lead, not if. Southampton are struggling to get out of their own half which will cause plenty of worry for the home fans.
Southampton vs Manchester City
15:12INCHES AWAY! De Bruyne curls a delightful free-kick into the Southampton box and it looks destined to be swept home by Gvardiol but Downes is there to hook the ball away for a corner kick. That was close to being 1-0 for the Citizens.
Southampton vs Manchester City
15:09More Man City pressure. This time, Dias clips the ball to Gvardiol at the back post but the Croatian can only head the ball into the grateful hands of Ramsdale. This is not the start, Simon Rusk would have wanted against the Citizens early on.
Southampton vs Manchester City
15:08CHANCE! Man City have the first opening of the game. It's patient play from the visitors before Lewis lifts the ball into the box but it sails just over the head of McAtee who was closing in. It's been a bright start at St. Mary’s by Pep Guardiola's outfit.
Southampton vs Manchester City
15:06Kevin De Bruyne, who will be departing Man City at the end of the season has started the game on the front foot. Against no side has the Belgian been directly involved in more Premier League goals than he has against Southampton (14 – four goals, 10 assists). Only Ryan Giggs (12 vs Man City and 12 vs Newcastle) and Cesc Fabregas (11 vs Tottenham) have more assists against an opponent in the competition than his 10 vs the Saints.
Southampton vs Manchester City
15:04As expected, Man City are dominating possession in the opening few minutes with Southampton camped in their own half. The Saints have dropped more points from winning positions than any other team in the Premier League this season (28). If they lead but fail to win this match, it will be the first time they’ve lost 30+ points after going ahead in a single campaign in the competition.
Southampton vs Manchester City
15:01We are underway at St Mary's Stadium.
Southampton vs Manchester City
15:00The teams are in the tunnel and kick-off will commence shortly at St Mary's Stadium. Since the 2004-05 season, Man City have lost just three of their 25 Premier League meetings with Southampton (W17 D5), though all three of those defeats have come at St. Mary’s.
Southampton vs Manchester City
14:30Pep Guardiola makes five changes to the Manchester City team who defeated Wolves last time out. Star striker Erling Haaland features for the first time after missing the last seven matches through injury and replaces Omar Marmoush. Nico O'Reilly, Jeremy Doku, Matheus Nunes and Ilkay Gundogan also come out of the team with Manuel Akanji, James McAtee, Phil Foden and Rico Lewis replacing the quartet. The Citizens have won their last four Premier League games, their joint-longest winning run of the season. They’re looking to win back-to-back away league games for the first time since August.
Southampton vs Manchester City
14:30Simon Rusk has made three changes to the Southampton side that lost 2-0 to Leicester City last weekend. James Bree, Tyler Dibling and Welington come into the Saints starting XI in place of Kyle Walker-Peters, Ryan Manning and Ross Stewart. The hosts have conceded 82 Premier League goals this season. Only three times before have they conceded more in a single league campaign in their history – 85 in 1952-53, 92 in 1966-67 and 83 in 1967-68.
Southampton vs Manchester City
14:30MAN CITY SUBS: Omar Marmoush, Jack Grealish, Jeremy Doku, Nico Gonzalez, Stefan Ortega, Ilkay Gundogan, Savinho, Matheus Nunes, Nico O'Reilly.
Southampton vs Manchester City
14:30MAN CITY (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, Rico Lewis; Mateo Kovacic, Bernardo Silva; Phil Foden, Kevin De Bruyne, James McAtee; Erling Haaland.
Southampton vs Manchester City
14:30SOUTHAMPTON SUBS: Alex McCarthy, Ryan Manning, Joe Aribo, Will Smallbone, Ross Stewart, Nathan Wood, Yukinari Sugawara, Cameron Archer, Paul Onuachu.
Southampton vs Manchester City
14:30SOUTHAMPTON (3-4-2-1): Aaron Ramsdale; Jack Stephens, Jan Bednarek, Taylor Harwood-Bellis; Welington, Lesley Ugochukwu, Flynn Downes, James Bree; Kamaldeen Sulemana, Mateus Fernandes; Tyler Dibling.
Southampton vs Manchester City
14:30Meanwhile, Manchester City head to Southampton aiming to take another giant step towards next season’s Champions League. Four wins on the bounce for Pep Guardiola's side means they currently occupy third place in the Premier League table with just three games remaining. The Citizens’ late season surge combined with Arsenal’s recent struggles has many tipping the former Champions for a second-place finish. In their most recent fixture, the visitors defeated Vítor Pereira's high-flying Wolves 1-0 thanks to Kevin De Bruyne’s strike.
Southampton vs Manchester City
14:30Hosts Southampton head into today’s clash against Manchester City in serious danger of setting an unwanted Premier League record. One more defeat in their remaining three fixtures would see them equal the highest number of losses (29) in a 20-team top-flight campaign (Sunderland in 2005-06, Derby County in 2007-08 and Sheffield United in 2020-21). However, Simon Rusk’s Saints also need just one point to avoid equalling Derby’s lowest-ever points total (11) from 2007-08. The home side missed a golden chance to steer clear of the unwanted record when they visited Leicester City last week, but fell to a 2-0 defeat at the King Power Stadium.
Southampton vs Manchester City
14:30Hello and welcome to live coverage of this Premier League encounter between Southampton and Manchester City at St Mary's Stadium.
Southampton vs Manchester City
13:00Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
