'Man City are back' - Micah Richards points out Pep Guardiola tactical change that inspired win
manchestereveningnews.co.ukFormer Manchester City defender Micah Richards has highlighted Pep Guardiola's substitution of John Stones against Southampton for inspiring the Blues to victory.
City piled on the pressure from the opening stages at St Mary's but had to wait until just before the interval to make the breakthrough as Erling Haaland headed the Blues in front.
Guardiola had chosen to start Stones in a central defensive midfield role but on 56 minutes, after the natural centre-back had been booked, he brought the Englishman off for Kyle Walker.
Two minutes later, City had their second as Jack Grealish pounced on a Gavin Bazunu save to score. Haaland would make it three in acrobatic fashion with a superb bicycle kick inside the Saints' box. ALSO READ: City moments missed vs Southampton Sekou Mara pulled one back for the hosts on 72 minutes to show a brief glimpse of hope but that would be extinguished moments later when Julian Alvarez converted a penalty after Kevin De Bruyne was fouled.
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