Manchester City returned to winning ways in the Premier League and reduced the gap to the top four with a hard-fought victory over in-form Southampton at St Mary's.
Raheem Sterling swept in from Kevin de Bruyne's cutback after 16 minutes as Pep Guardiola's side stamped their authority following the hosts' energetic start.
Southampton, who began the day third in the table, responded well but their efforts to draw level were hampered by the loss of striker Danny Ings through injury before half-time.
In a tightly contested second half, Bernardo Silva miscued his shot after being played in by De Bruyne, while the hosts had appeals for a penalty for handball against Sterling dismissed by VAR.
Saints goalkeeper Alex McCarthy kept his side's hopes of salvaging a result alive with a good save from Ilkay Gundogan's curled shot, but Sterling's finish proved decisive for a City side which had drawn their past two games.
City are one point behind fourth-placed Southampton and eight adrift of leaders Liverpool, having played one game fewer than both.
Latest Stories
-
Ghana’s Henry Bukari hands over Chairmanship of ECOWAS Brown Card Council of Bureaux
30 seconds -
Residents of Dome-Kwabenya on edge ahead of December elections
31 mins -
Moffy drops new single ‘Wo’, blending culture and modernity
44 mins -
Don’t bring soldiers to polling stations – Martin Kpebu
56 mins -
Ogyeahohuo Yaw Gyebi II retained as President of National House of Chiefs
1 hour -
Embrace ICT to fit in digital world – Ho NYA boss to youth
2 hours -
We don’t want armed soldiers at polling stations – Tanko-Computer
2 hours -
Drama as police corner armed robbers inside locked forex bureau at Lapaz
2 hours -
NEIP CEO to Kwaku Manu: You can support any political party, but stop misbehaving in NPP colours
2 hours -
30% quota for less privileged shows Free SHS is inclusive – Ofosu Nkansah
2 hours -
Nigerian-born conquers childhood hearing loss to become KNUST’s overall best graduating student
3 hours -
ECOWAS Court orders compensation for violations against New Force’s Shalimar Abbiusi
3 hours -
Dreams FC denies allegations of attempting to sign Najeeb Yakubu
4 hours -
Election 2024: ‘Right to free and fair elections non-negotiable’ – Akufo-Addo
4 hours -
Kurt Okraku took out my passport from the U23 squad that travelled to Japan – Najeeb Yakubu alleges
4 hours