Relegated Southampton hold Man City to secure record escape

Relegated Southampton produced a resilient defensive performance to earn a goalless draw against Manchester City at St Mary’s, surpassing the Premier League’s all-time lowest points tally in the process.

The Saints, already consigned to the drop, moved up to 12 points, ensuring Derby County’s infamous record low of 11 from the 2007/08 season remains intact for at least another year.

Man City, meanwhile, missed the chance to draw level on points with second-placed Arsenal.

Pep Guardiola’s side turned in a dismal attacking display just a week before their FA Cup final clash with Crystal Palace.

Erling Haaland returned from injury but made little impact, as Man City played at a pedestrian pace against a deep and disciplined Southampton defence, showing a lack of creativity throughout.

Manuel Akanji headed wide from a corner, and Bernardo Silva had a shot cleared off the line by Saints captain Jack Stephens.

It wasn’t until the final minutes that Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was seriously tested, denying Ruben Dias with a sharp save before Omar Marmoush struck the crossbar with a stunning long-range effort.

At full-time, the St Mary’s faithful greeted the result with cheers, as their team held on for just their third clean sheet of a difficult season.