Facing the reigning champions, Saints gave themselves a real chance with a diligent and spirited first half display but they failed to take the chances they created before Haaland headed the visitors in front just before the interval. From that point City cruised to victory as Jack Grealish doubled the advantage before Haaland made it 3-0 with his 30th league goal of the season. Sekou Mara got one back for Saints but the renaissance proved short-lived as Julian Alvaraz almost immediately responded from the penalty spot. The result leaves Saints bottom of the Premier League table, four points adrift of safety and despite any positive moments, it’s concrete results that they need.
Jan Bednarek said: “Yes, it’s difficult for us. We have a good game, we have moments when we play very well but I think we’re just not consistent enough. For the first 45 minutes we were very good but I think that’s not enough against top teams in the world. 45 minutes is not enough, 44 minutes is not enough. So this is what we have to learn as a team. We need to find a way to play like that for 90 minutes and to do that we need to keep the ball more, we have to have more possession. Because I feel like against those teams, we need to get them tired as well. Because when they lose the ball they’re sharp enough and fresh enough to take it back and create chances. It’s a big lesson for us and we need to learn. We need to learn, improve, and stay positive.
Jan Bednarek watches on as Julian Alvarez makes it 4-1 from the penalty spot. (Image: Stuart Martin)
Jan Bednarek said: “I think we had a few really good chances that we could turn into a goal but it wasn’t enough because there was no conviction, we were not ruthless enough. And against top top teams, if you have one or two chances, you have to score a goal.”
Only Everton have scored fewer Premier League goals than Saints this season while they have averaged less than a goal per game under Ruben Selles. Amongst a number of potential openings, Saints best chance of the first half fell to the feet of Kamaldeen Sulemana who only had Ederson to beat after bursting past Nathan Ake on a one-man counter-attack. But the Saints winger miscontrolled his touch at the crucial moment and City were able to clear. Saints were then brutally punished for their profligacy by Haaland and Guardiola’s expensively-assembled attack.
Jan Bednarek added: “It’s tough, of course, it’s tough to play against Man City, they are one of the best teams in the world. But I think you have to play with no fear and no respect and just do what you can do and have a good plan. I think that’s what we did in the first half. We played really well, we were brave with our high-pressing, I think we were too surprised with the chances we had. If we were convinced and ready for the chances we had then I think we could have scored a few goals. So that was the main issue in the first half – the quality. At the end of the first half, the goal was the issue. In the second half, they had more chances, more space and managed the game really well. We have to keep on going and learn from it – that’s it.”
