Southampton boss Russell Martin has admitted he specifically worked with his players to stop one Manchester City star but the training did not work.
Manchester City moved to the top of the Premier League table with a 1-0 victory over bottom-club Southampton on Saturday.
Though it was only a narrow win, Pep Guardiola’s side dominated proceedings and easily could have won by four or five if Erling Haaland was more clinical with his head.
Yet, the Norwegian sensation did get the decisive goal after bundling the ball home within five minutes from Matheus Nunes‘ pinpoint cross.
Despite controlling the game, City were unable to find the back of the net again and had to withstand a late flurry from Saints as they pushed for a leveller.
Russell Martin was proud of his side’s performance but did rue the fact his defence left Haaland with so much space for his goal after working hard to defend against him in training.
Russel Martins labels Haaland the ‘best in the business’
Speaking to BBC MOTD after the game, Martin said: “The gap for Erling Haaland is too big.
“We worked on trying not to leave him one-v-one too often in the box but he’s the best in the business at that.
“Proud of them. The courage they had and the build-up was incredible. We had some big moments so proud of that as well.
“We had more [chances] than most I think coming here. The level of courage and intensity to run and play football in our way was incredible.
“We’ll take a lot of belief from today. Not just the defending. The character after going 1-0 down early and the character to play in the way we want to.
“If we’re going to lose at least do it in the way that we can be proud of.”
Why aren’t Man City winning games comfortably?
City haven’t won a domestic match by more than a single goal since they defeated West Ham on August 31 3-1.
The Blues are picking up wins and are now top of the pile but they aren’t doing so at their relentless, free-scoring best – unless it’s against Pot 4 Champions League teams.
It’s not as if the opposition has been particularly strong, either, with their last two matches coming against the Premier League’s bottom two clubs.
Perhaps it’s a sign of the division’s growing quality when even lowly teams can compete with City but it feels more like a problem of their own making.
Guardiola’s side aren’t being clinical enough in front of goal and are still getting caught in transition, leaving them vulnerable to quick counters.
When tougher teams come to town, it could be a real problem.
