Manchester City 2-1 Southampton: 5 Talking Points

Manchester City ran out 2-1 winners on the night over a battling Southampton side. Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling were the goalscorers for the Citizens, while Romeu pulled a goal back for the Saints.

Celebrations are often indicative of how a team/club views success. And on Wednesday evening, Manchester City's celebrations just emphasizes the magnanimity of the emotions that Pep Guardiola has stirred up in the blue half of Manchester.

While there will be a lot written about the juggernaut side that Pep's team has become over the course of this season, this game was very tightly contested. That said, here are the 5 key talking points from the game:-

#5 Sterling's stock keeps rising

Manchester City v Southampton - Premier League

For the third game in a row, it was Sterling's goal that decided the fate of the game. The English winger has grown by leaps and bounds this season, and his tireless running is an indication of the confidence flowing through him now.

Sterling's energy has been infectious and it was on display once again as he ran his heart out. Moreover, the biggest improvement this season has been the manner of the runs, almost all of them have been threatening.

His jinks and turns, and the ability to make himself available for a pass, have been the biggest highlights this season. Hence, the plaudits that are being showered on him are well deserved.

Like Saturday, Sterling was once again there at the right place at the right time to take the pass from Kevin De Bruyne. As time stood still and De Bruyne was hacked down by a Southampton tackle, Sterling curled the ball into the far right corner, thus clinching a hard-earned win at the Etihad.

#4 Wasteful finishing hurt Southampton

Southampton manager, Mauricio Pellegrino, will be left wondering how his team managed to lose the game after being so competitive. Wesley Hoedt and Yoshida were among the main culprits as they missed chances which could have comfortably put their side ahead.

Southampton put 4 goals past Everton on Sunday and their display on the evening indicated that they were looking to extend their goal-scoring streak at the Etihad as well.

But sometimes, the best-laid plans don't work out and it was a case of too little too less when it came to finding their composure in front of the goal. That aside, Oriol Romeu's goal was an excellent finish an apt return for the efforts of Boufal who managed to avoid the overtures of Fabian Delph before putting in the cross.

#3 Lack of width forces Pep to experiment with tactics

It's been a while since the Premier League has seen the best of Ilkay Gundogan after injuries curtailed his debut season. The German had a decent outing and was replaced in the 80th minute by Bernardo Silva - another midfield schemer waiting in the wings.

However, the talking point was the lack of width after Guardiola rested Sane and played both Jesus and Aguero up front. Jesus did put in a shift but the natural width that the German winger regularly provides, was absent.

The absence of Benjamin Mendy has been smoothed over by Fabian Delph but as the games come thick and fast, Guardiola would prefer a more naturally left-sided player in defence.

And this was evident on the night, as Delph was caught out for the Saints' equalizer. With 9 games scheduled in December for Pep's men, the Spaniard will have to look to his central midfielders to provide the necessary creative spark to unlock defences.

#2 Fraser Foster's heroics not enough to rescue a point

To be fair to Foster, there wasn't anything that he could do about the goals. The first one was deflected past him by his own defence, with the culprit being Dutch defender, Virgil Van Dijk, and as for the second, it was a brilliant shot by Sterling. One could see Foster putting in a full stretch dive and yet clasping at thin air. Such was the curl on the ball.

But that said, he kept his team in the game, thwarting the efforts of De Bruyne and company. City had 26 shots, with 12 of them on target, so Foster had a busy night throughout.

The best save though was reserved for Jesus's effort on goal, which the Saints' keeper managed to tip away after Aguero had sent the Brazilian clean through on goal. As a team, the Saints came very close to blemish Manchester City's perfect start this season, and Foster played an integral part in it.

#1 Grinding out victories out of nothing

For the second time this week, Guardiola's team grabbed a late winner. At the weekend, against Huddersfield, they had fallen behind for only 2 minutes, before equalizing. And as has been the theme this season, City have played like Champions in waiting.

City have fallen behind to a goal for a total of 70 minutes in the Premier League, as per the on-air commentator on Saturday.

But, it is the tenacity and perseverance of the team that has led to this magnificent run of victories. This was City's 12th consecutive victory, and apart than winning, the team is entertaining as well.

West Ham United are their next opponents and with City already notching up 40 points in just their first 14 games, they have been able to keep Manchester United at bay. With the Manchester derby coming up, Pep will hope that his team continue this stretch of form, and maybe, lay down a marker for the rest of the Premier League.