We posed the question on Twitter and there was a landslide victory with 73% of the votes. So, let’s take a look back at the chosen clash...
Southampton 0-3 City, 30 November 2014
City made the trip to the south coast needing a win to reignite their title charge - and they did, in some style.
Although the Blues were denied a clear penalty and sent down to ten men when Eliaquim Mangala was given an early bath for two yellow cards, Manuel Pellegrini’s men produced an impressive second-half display to claim three points at a ground few had emerged victorious from.
Yaya Toure opened the scoring on 51 minutes, before substitute Frank Lampard doubled the advantage with ten minutes of normal time remaining.
Gael Clichy then netted his first goal for the club with a fine team move to put the icing on the proverbial cake.
The result saw City rise to second in the Premier League table and raise a few eyebrows.
Match Highlights
Starting XIs
Southampton: Forster, Clyne, Fonte (c), Alderweireld, Bertrand, Wanyama, Schneiderlin (Yoshida 46), S. Davis (Mayuka), Tadić, Mané (Long 67), Pellè.
Unused subs: K Davis, Gardos, Reed, Targett.
City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany (c), Mangala, Clichy, Fernandinho, Toure, Navas (Demichelis 75), Jovetic (Milner 54), Nasri (Lampard 65), Aguero.
Unused subs: Caballero, Pozo, Fernando, Sagna.
Key moments
9’ - Aguero is denied a stonewall penalty and is instead booked for simulation
51’ - Toure opens the scoring, smashing Aguero’s cut-back into the bottom corner with power
74’ - Mangala receives his marching orders with a second yellow card for bringing Long down
80’ - Lampard doubles the lead, firing low into the corner
87’ - Clichy seals the win, thumping Aguero’s poked delivery across the goalkeeper
Man of the match
Sergio Aguero
Reaction
“It was the Blues at their very best and the biggest statement yet that the champions won’t give up their crown without a fight. A classy display by the champions who are warming up nicely and have proved that the title race is only just beginning…” MCFC
“Ice-cool Manchester City are ready to unleash a winter of discontent on the Premier League after storming the St Mary’s fortress. The Blues ended Southampton’s unbeaten home record in fine style with goals from Yaya Toure, Frank Lampard and Gael Clichy - and even made light of being reduced to 10 men following a red card for Eliaquim Mangala.” Manchester Evening News
“City produced a professional display, restricting Southampton to few clear-cut opportunities and clinically taking their own.” BBC
“This was supposed to be the proving ground for Southampton: instead it was Manchester City who revised assessments of their potential this season. They put pretenders Southampton firmly in their place, casting doubt over their ability to maintain a position among the Premier League elite.” Daily Mail
