In the 31st minute, David Silva did a shot from outside box. Dean Smith parried the ball, but Manchester City got a corner kick. David Silva stood in the corner and prepared to kick the ball. As soon as the referee's whistle sounded, Silva kicked the ball so hard it flew into the goalmouth. When everyone prepared to receive the ball, ball was curved towards the goalpost. Dean Smith jumped up and slapped the ball. He saved Southampton from conceding.
In the 38th minute, Milner burst into the penalty box, he beaten Vicente. He then provided a cut-back pass to Nasri. Nasri kicked the ball into the right corner of the net. However, Nasri's kick was blocked by Jimmy's body. The ball bounced to the left. Benson took the ball and kicked it forward. Simone received the ball from Benson and gave it to Bennet.
Yaya Toure hit Bennet with his body, but Bennett was able to keep his balance well. He was continously dribbled the ball. Then at the right moment, he sent a long pass to Kazuki. Kazuki received the pass from Bennet with his chest. He confronted Kolarov. Kazuki pushed the ball forward, when Kolarov moved he changed the ball's route then Kazuki dribbled the ball into the penalty box.
In front of Lescott, he made a fake move. When Lescott was caught off guard, Kazuki bursted past him and sent a powerful shot towards the goalpost. The ball hit the top post and bounced in front of the goalpost. Osmund immediately responded by kicking the ball into the net.
Jim Kaglin immediately shouted, "Goaaaall! Southampton equalized with a quick counter-attack. Osmund made good use of the rebound ball. He brought Southampton level against Manchester City."
This goal at least made Southampton able to breathe again. The score 1-1 is definitely better than 1-0. Apart from these reasons, the most important thing was that this goal made Southampton players more confident. They know that Southampton is not over. Southampton's struggle was not over.
The first half ended with the score 1-1. Southampton was able to equalize in the final minutes of the first half. Both teams left the field with the same expression. Reluctance. Manchester City clearly felt bad to see Southampton equalize while Southampton felt they could beat The Cityzen if there was more time.
The second half continued after a 15 minute break. In this second half, Southampton appeared more bold. After they did the kick-off, Southampton immediately launched an early attack. Kazuki threw the ball towards Orlando. Orlando ran down and lure David Silva forward then passed the ball to Simone. Simone dodged Yaya Toure and sent the ball to Benson.
Benson received the ball from Simone and took the ball over the goal on the sideline. Belloti retreated to mark Benson. Benson then provided a pass to Kounde. As soon as Kounde received the ball, Zabaleta immediately locked Kounde's movement from behind. Kounde gave the ball to Simone who came forward. With one touch, Simone sent the ball to Bennet.
Bennett received the ball, then he pushed the ball past Nasri's body. After that, he chased the ball and gave Osmund a through ball. Osmund took advantage of the gap and received the ball from Bennet, but the linesman raised the flag. Osmond was caught in the offside trap set by Manchester City.
In the 51st minute, David Silva provided a pass to Aguero. Aguero received the ball, but he couldn't turn around because Jimmy was stuck to his back. Then he pushed the ball sideways at Yaya Toure who raced into the box. Toure confronted against Okhalo, he tried to trick Okhalo with his moves but it was failed. Okhalo tackled the ball from the feet of Yaya Toure. Then he gave it to Orlando.
Orlando controlled the ball calmly. He was avoiding David Silva, who tried to steal the ball from him. Soon, he kicked the ball toward Simone. Simone received the ball from Orlando and then after that, he brought the ball forward. Nasri moved closer to him but it made Bennett loose. Simone gave the ball to Bennett.
Bennet picked up Simone's pass after which he flicked the ball to the right to avoid Kompany's feet. The Manchester City centre-back stepped up to stop Bennett. Osmund moved to the left to take advantage of the space that left by Kompany. Bennett sent a pass toward Osmund. The player received a pass from Bennet, but Lescott blocked his space to shoot to Manchester City's goalpost.
Osmund provided a back-pass. Kounde, who had entered the box, received a back-pass from Osmund, he then provided a through ball to the right. Kazuki received the pass from Kounde and kicked the ball vigorously. The ball could not be stopped by Joe Hart. The ball went into the Southampton net.
"Kazuki! An astonishing goal. This player again showed a phenomenal performance. This goal made Southampton surpass Manchester City by one goal. Now The Cityzens are a goal behind at home."
In the 58th minute, Southampton got a free kick after Bennet was brought down by Nasri. Kazuki executed the free kick, but the ball hit the human fence that Manchester City built. David Silva immediately kicked the ball far forward. Belloti received the ball from David Silva. Simone tried to block it but he dribbled quickly.
Okhalo tried to stop it, but Belloti changed the ball direction quickly. He then kicked the ball firmly, when it reached the penalty box. Dean Smith jumped and blocked Belloti's kick. Southampton managed to survive the counter-attack Manchester City.
Belloti's failure to score made coach Mancini seem frustrated. The match resumed. In the 64th minute, Simone sent a pass to Bennet. However, Nasri intercepted the ball. He then gave the ball to Yaya Toure. Yaya Toure got rid from Orlando and then provided the ball to Kolarov. Kolarov stepped up to help Manchester City attack. He received a pass from Yaya Toure and took it a little bit into the middle. He then gave the pass to Aguero.
Aguero pushed the ball through the gap and chased it. Then Aguero's powerful shot headed towards the net. Too bad the ball didn't hit the goalpost. Manchester City attack was failed.
In the 70th minute, Nasri made a mistake in receiving the ball. He did not receive the ball that was passed well. Bennet immediately grabbed the ball shortly after Nasri failed to control the ball. The Southampton player dribbled forward.
Kazuki prepared to receive the ball but behind him Kolarov clung tightly. Kolarov seemed ready to commit a foul to stop Kazuki.
Bennet gave the pass to Kazuki. Behind him, Kolarov pressed Kazuki so tightly, that Kazuki swayed slightly. However, Kazuki managed to bounced the ball to the side, he then turned his body, so that he was facing the direction of the Manchester City goalpost.
Kolarov held onto Kazuki's shirt so the Japanese player couldn't run. Kazuki gave Osmund a through ball. Kompany tried to cut off Kazuki's pass but he was too late, Kazuki's pass was too fast for Kompany. Joe Hart leaned to the right trying to close the space for Osmund. Osmund eyed the left corner of the net, but his shot missed from the net. The ball bounced again, but Nasri came and threw the ball off the field.
In the 76th minute, David Silva suddenly made a breakthrough pass that was deep into the Southampton defense area. Belloti ran quickly after the ball. Benson competed with Belloti, he did not hesitate to pull Belloti's shirt so that the Italian player could not get past him. However, Belloti used his physical strength to force forward, Benson slowly released his grip until he finally fell down after he lost his balance.
There were no Southampton players in front of Belloti except the goalkeeper. Dean Smith came forward to get the ball, but Belloti pushed the ball to the right and crossed it. Then he kicks the ball into the net. Belloti's kick made Manchester City equalize. Mancini on the touchline was happy, as were as the Manchester City fans who was watching the game.
In the 80th minute, Kazuki suddenly exploded, he passed Kolarov with a body feint, then brought the ball forward, Lescott made a tackle but Kazuki passed him with a marseille turn. Before the other players tried to stop him, Kazuki accelerated his run. He brought the ball into the middle and then made a shot from outside the penalty box.
Goalkeeper Joe Hart jumped, he was trying to save his goalpost. However, Kazuki's shot went too far into the corner so he failed to reach the ball. Luckily the ball hit the post before bouncing off the field. Even so the opportunity had scared Mancini. He immediately made substitutions to replace the players who were tired.
In the 85th minute, Southampton got another chance. This opportunity began with the positioning exchange between Osmund and Kazuki. This time Kazuki made use of his passing ability. On this occasion, Kazuki received a pass from Simone, he again used a whiplash turn to past Kolarov who was clinging to his back. After that Kazuki immediately gave a long pass into the middle of the penalty box.
Osmund from the offside trap, he ran and received the ball from Kazuki then immediately fired the ball to the left side of the Manchester City goalpost. This time Joe Hart's reaction was very quick. He immediately parried the ball kicked by Osmund.
In the 89th minute, Southampton managed to get a chance.Bennet stole the ball from Yaya Toure who tried to break through his guard. After getting the ball, Bennett gave it to Southampton midfielder, Orlando who was behind him. Manchester City midfielder Nasri stepped up and put pressure on Orlando. The Southampton player provided a pass to the right.
Kazuki received the ball while Kolarov tried to run towards Kazuki with intention to make physical clash, so Kazuki lost the ball at his feet. Kazuki saw that clearly, he used his skill to get past Kolarov. After that he brought the ball quickly forward. He provided a through ball into the middle.
Osmund who was tapped tightly by Kompany received Kazuki's pass. He accelerated his run, Lesscot blocked Osmund's path, Osmund pushed the ball to the right then moved it to the left quickly. He passed Lescott, but Nasri stuck to Osmund's side to cover his shooting space.
Osmund pulled the ball back and twisted his body, he then passed the ball to the left. kazuki ran faster than Kolarov, he kicked the ball to the right corner of the net.. Too bad his shot was too far to the right so it didn't entering Manchester City net.