Man City’s football might be lacking its usual fizz but Pep Guardiola’s men are still finding ways to win and will soon reach a remarkable milestone

By the time Manchester City next play at home, they will have passed two years unbeaten in the Premier League at the Etihad Stadium.

Their football may be lacking its usual fizz but, nine games in and with seven players out to injury, City are the only unbeaten side in the league.

Asked how they were coping without midfield linchpin Rodri, Manuel Akanji said: ‘By the way we’re playing. We haven’t lost a game this year so I think we’re doing well.’

Not that it was easy on Saturday. Erling Haaland scored early, but a mixture of Saints’ dogged defending and City’s poor finishing kept the score respectable.

‘The fact we’re scoring at least one goal every match against 11 players in their own box looks easy from the outside but it’s tough to play against,’ said Akanji.

Erling Haaland scored the only goal of the game as Man City went top of the Premier League

City’s last home defeat in the Premier League came against Brentford on November 12, 2022

Reigning champions City will soon have gone two years without losing a league game at home

‘We’re doing a good job — we keep on attacking, putting crosses in, putting pressure on and at one point we’re going to break them.’

For City, a run of four away games awaits and how they come through that will be a better indicator of life without Rodri.

At the other end of the table, Southampton midfielder Adam Lallana insisted that league games against Everton and Wolves over the next two weeks are both must-wins.

The Saints are winless in their last 22 Premier League games.

‘It’s a big fortnight,’ Lallana said. ‘We’ve got one point so there is panic at times but I’m quietly confident over the next two weeks.

‘I want back-to-back wins, it’s as simple as that.’