Raheem Sterling's first-half goal proved to be the difference as Manchester City battled to a hard-fought 1-0 win at Southampton in the Premier League.
Sterling turned home a Kevin De Bruyne cross to give City a 16th-minute lead and they were able to hold on to secure all three points after back-to-back Premier League draws.
Southampton went into the game third in the table having suffered just one defeat in their previous 11 games, but City did enough to secure the three points, although they were unable to add to their early advantage.
Pep Guardiola’s side looked resolute at the back throughout, although they have yet to hit their stride going forward and have amassed just 19 goals from their first 13 Premier League games this season.
Ralph Hasenhuttl had said before the game that he would be open to making Theo Walcott’s season-long loan from Everton permanent and the 31-year-old looked to repay his manager’s faith in him, causing problems for City down the right-hand side all afternoon.
But Southampton were unable to create clear-cut chances, despite continuing to dominate possession in the latter stages of the first half.
Their task was made more difficult after Danny Ings, who has seven goals to his name this season, was forced off just before the break.
And the Saints were unable to carry their momentum from the end of the first period into the second, despite occupying space on the edge of the City box, with the best chances of the half falling to the visitors.
De Bruyne was played through by Bernardo Silva, but his final effort lacked power and Alex McCarthy was able to gather, while Ilkay Gundogan also saw an effort saved.
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