MAN CITY AT ST MARY'S

With most of the bottom clubs doing better recently it is important to get a result on Saturday. Next up will be a trip to Newcastle which might have seemed a good place to go a few weeks ago but they seem to have done good business in the transfer window which is already paying off!

Ramirez and Clyne pulled out of their international calls with injuries and Shaw has come home before the match with a 'suspected injury' (whatever that might mean!)

If both full-backs are out we are going to have a few selection problems I'm thinking...... guessing we may have Cork and Fox filling in.

Hopeful that Shaw will be fit for saturday though as you say not exactly the most information on the injury. Do need to get a win soon so we can keep in touch with the clubs above as well as keep those below at bay.

Thought Man city did look beatable at the weekend when they played liverpool but do need to stop making those individual errors at the back. Think we will score but vital we don't concede.

Hoping that this might just possibly be a brilliant day for Saints.

Newcastle away to Spurs, Wigan away to Chelsea, Reading away to Stoke, QPR away to Swansea, while Norwich and Fulham meet. If Saints can manage to get 3 points the table could look a lot healthier tonight!!! Got a funny feeling for a 3-1 win please....

Mike, that crystal ball worked rather well on this occasion. Great result.

Man City were blown away. That performance and win has been coming.

hope you had money on that result Mike

What a great performance by Saints. High octane performance and certainly not a lucky win they were the better team and made the Champions of England, as their fans chanted outside the stadium before the game, look ordinary. Was worried that we would be unable to sustain the level of effort and while the players were pretty much on their knees at the end they managed to dig deep and keep going. No one let the side down today everyone played for each other but special mention to Cork and schneiderlin in midfield and Yoshida and Hoovield at the centre of defence, all were superb.

Saints took the lead early, Puncheon won the ball of Barry who tried to dribble out, Puncheon passed to Rodrigues who took a little to long and his shot was blocked by Hart and a defender but ball ran to Puncheon who had carried on his run and from just inside the box he fired into the bottom corner. City had a shot from distance when we backed off but Boruc made look a comfortable save. Saints doubled the lead when Lambert got the ball on right side in box cut back inside to beat his player and hit a frim shot that Hart was unable to hold and Davis running in with two defenders was first to the ball and slid in from a couple of yards. Lambert then got a ridiculous booking for his first foul of the game, yet another inconsistent ref as fouls from city went unpunished.

Saints could have gone 3 up when Rodrigues had a great chnace on left side of box but his shot went just wide. We then contrived to gift them a goal. we had a corner and clearly a training ground routine where corner is an out swinger but City easily knocked clear and on the break, Shaw may have stopped, ball ends up in back of net. At that stage City hadnt really looked a great threat. City also had interesting tactic at corners, all 11 players in the box which shows how quickly they broke. Another attack from saints saw the ball crossed deep to far post and Schneiderlin shot into the side netting. Really then a decsion which for me should see Atkinson supsended for a number of games Rodrigues clearly thrown to the floor by Toure right in front of ref who clearly saw and gave a corner. A complete cop out by Atkinson and not the first time this season he has failed to give the big decisions.

So only a one goal lead at half time and with the level of effort in first half expected the worse second half. Interesting only Milner warmed up at half time for city, all the other subs stayed inside the warm dressing room, strange tactic. Saints out before City and could have extended the lead when lambert held the ball up well on left side of box, pulled back to Puncheon who blasted over when really should have scored. Didnt make a lot of difference as Saints kept the pressure on and Rickie again cut in from left crossed the ball and Barry managed to toe poke the ball past the flat footed Hart.

For the next 10 minutes saints really laid siege to Citys goal but couldnt get the 4th which looked deserved. A rare city attack saw Boruc pulled off a great left handed save. lallana came on for Puncheon while City made 2 subs but brought on defensive players which was odd. City did have pressure on saints with lots of crosses, some good punches from Boruc and he saved well at the feet in a melee though Hoovield was clealry foulded, another foul Atkinson had full view off but failed to blow. Have to say the clock seemed to move so slowly . Sure it took half an hour for 10 minutes from 65 to 75 minutes!!

Fox went off injured bringing on richardson at right back and Cline going to left back and while City had some corners no major threats. Saints seemd to get their second wind and although chances were few we kept the ball well, frustrating City and running down the clock. Amazing 5 minutes extra time no idea from where, 6 subs which would be 3 minutes and Fox was down for about 30 seconds but saints saw out without to many scares.

Boruc 8 couple of great saves and some good punches from corners
Fox 7 had a good game not as good as Shaw but could not be faulted for his effort
Yoshida 9 made some great blocks and you have to like the guy , tries his hardest.
Hoovield 8 big battle with Dzeko and didnt really put a foot worng
Cline 8 settled well into the left back position and all round decent game
Puncheon 8 scored first goal and some good link play
Schneiderlin 9 outstanding game really has stepped up to the mark
Cork 9 ran his socks off, always getting in down the right hand side if he ever adds goals to his game will be the next Lampard.
Davis 8 got his goal which was good reward for his effort
Rodrigues 8 worked hard all game and shame his shot in first half didnt go in, has secured himself a starting position
Lambert 8 held the ball up so well, shame he didnt get his 100th goal but must have an assist for second goal

Subs
Richardson 7 did okay when he came on
Lallana 7 bit rusty but good to see him getting some time on the pitch and does add an attacking dimension
Watd Prowse 7 worked hard for his 10 minutes and managed to close down a couple of city attacks.

Very happy to night. Only side in the bottom to have won today, good performance should give great confidence boost to squad. Said we needed 6 wins now down to 5.

Spare a thought for my nephew, a rangers and City fan who flew down from Dunfermline for the weekend. he is going to get so much grief before he flies back to scotland tomorrow

Great report Matty thanks. For some reason highlights were not shown on Sky tonight.

Forren must be wondering if he made the right decision to come here if his main priority was to get a regular starting spot. I imagine he, Lallana and Ramirez will have to fight hard to earn a start in the next few games.

At least Forren was on the bench tonight which must mean he is getting there as far as fitness. Sure having watched the game and seen the effort that Yoshida and Hoovield put in will understand he is going to have to wait for his chance and then when it comes playe well to keep.

Good challenge for Adam as previously would have just walked into the team but knows he will have to win his place and same for ramerez, he can match the work rate of the current midfield 3 of Davis, Schneiderlin and Cork but if this means we have the likes of Forren, Lallana Ramerez on the bench plus Fonte due to come back then looks better. Only concern would be is think a little light up front on goals, aside from Rickie, Rodrigues is not prolific and still no real idea about Lee or Mayuka.

Still 5 wins should see us safe so a point at Newcastle then beat old twitchy and will be on the way.