Sometimes, even a goalless draw can stir up more drama than a high-scoring thriller—and that’s exactly what happened at St Mary’s over the weekend.
While Manchester City were hoping for a routine win to keep pressure on Arsenal, they instead found themselves stonewalled by a spirited Southampton side.
But it wasn’t just the scoreline that had people talking—it was what happened after the match.
Southampton Stand Firm to Avoid Record-Breaking Shame
The Saints may already be relegated, but they walked away from Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Manchester City with their heads held high.
Why? Because that single point was enough to officially move them past Derby County’s record for the lowest-ever Premier League points tally.
It was a small victory in a brutal season, but one worth celebrating nonetheless.
And they didn’t just sit back quietly—Southampton had a message to send.
Ruben Dias Doesn’t Hold Back in Post-Match Frustration
City’s Ruben Dias wasn’t too thrilled with how things played out.
After the match, the defender went on a bit of a rant, accusing Southampton of wasting time and making the game unbearable.
“They don’t even try to play, just wasting time the whole game,” he snapped. “It’s not good for anyone.”
Dias didn’t stop there—he also blamed the “dry” pitch at St Mary’s, suggesting the conditions were intentionally poor to disrupt City’s rhythm.
Southampton Fires Back with Social Media Sass
Southampton, though, weren’t about to let that criticism slide.
Taking to TikTok, the club posted a cheeky video showing Manchester City’s repeated failed crosses throughout the 90 minutes.
The caption? “Guess neither of us wanted to play.”
They doubled down on Twitter too, with a pointed jab: “A point without even trying to play” paired with photos of their players grinning post-match.
No need for a press release—just vibes and memes.
Guardiola Doesn’t Agree with Dias’ Take
While Dias was fuming, Pep Guardiola struck a much calmer tone.
The City boss defended Southampton’s right to play however they saw fit, saying it was up to his team to break down their defense.
“They can do whatever they want,” Pep said in his post-match interview.
“For many years here, we’ve faced teams with different approaches… We had the chances but didn’t take them. It happens.”
Guardiola acknowledged the challenges of breaking down compact, defensive sides but made it clear that he respected Southampton’s strategy.
Saints Steal the Spotlight in Stalemate
Despite having nothing left to play for in terms of league survival, Southampton managed to steal the headlines.
City, meanwhile, missed a golden opportunity to pull level with second-placed Arsenal.
Erling Haaland returned but couldn’t make the difference, and the pressure now builds ahead of their next matches.
Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale barely broke a sweat, aside from one dramatic save to deny a frustrated Dias.
And forward Omar Marmoush almost gave Saints an even bigger moment when his long-range strike rattled the woodwork.
One Point, Plenty of Pride
For Southampton, this match wasn’t just about holding City—it was about showing some fight and leaving a mark on the way out.
It wasn’t pretty, and it certainly wasn’t flashy, but it was gritty and defiant.
And sometimes, that’s all you need to give your fans a reason to smile again.