Match Report: City 2 - 0 Southampton

With one team with all to play for and another with second place locked up, Southampton came out with a lot of energy needed to claim three points at a chance to secure a spot in Europe next season.

The Saints weren’t to be kept quiet as the teams traded opportunities to get a shot towards goal, though all were less than threatening. In the 20th minute Shane Long had a great chance to put the visiting side up a goal, but Joe Hart showed big and made the save. That chance was quickly followed up on the other end by a Sergio Aguero chance, but the striker put his close range chance into the stands. Another chance for City came minutes later when Kelvin Davis saved a Yaya Toure shot. The keeper let out a rebound to the feet of Aguero, his first effort was saved and the second shot was a fade away last-ditch effort.

Just as the Premier League script writers wrote it, Frank Lampard directed a Milner cross into the back of the net to add another goal to his career full of them and put City up 1-0. Aguero had another chance moments after the restart but the Saints keeper was there to keep the Argentine off the score sheet again. On the stroke of halftime, Southampton almost equalized after a few fortunate deflections in the box; the ball fell to Pelle whose final effort was well wide.

The second half was a back and forth affair as Southampton hoped to get a goal, or two, and salvage points from this match, but was highlighted by a comedy of offsides calls in a short span of time. Every time the Saints got men forward in attack, City quickly countered their efforts but both sides were unable to grab a goal. City added a late goal in the 88th minute from Sergio Aguero’s unlucky streak came to an end as he nodded his chance in from a yard out. Simplest finish to give City the 2-0 lead and bring his final goal scoring tally to 26, Golden Boot assured.

As someone with a soft spot for Southampton it was unfortunate to not see them get some points from this match, but 7th place still leaves the door open for a European adventure (As long as they get a little help from Arsenal in the FA Cup final). Anyway, the long season has come to an end, but the action is far from over for City as the summer transfer window should be fun. Farewell to Frank, see you in New York very soon my friend.