SAINTS & SINNERS

City boss Guardiola will be furious after his team fail to leave the south coast with a win... and if any more proof was needed that the deposed champions are a million miles away from the team they used to be, this was it

- SIMON MULLOCK

TWO years ago, when Manchester City were on their way to winning the Treble, Pep Guardiola had a meltdown for the ages at St Mary's when his team were knocked out of the Carabao Cup.

The paint on the away dressing room walls might be starting to blister again.

Guardiola will be furious that his team failed to leave the south coast with a victory that would have lifted them level on points with second-placed Arsenal just a day before the Gunners go to Anfield.

The shaven-headed Catalan does not have much use for a hairdryer - but you can be sure that his players would have been feeling plenty of heat.

Whether the two points dropped will cost City a place in the top five and qualification for the Champions League remains to be seen.

But if any more proof were needed that the deposed champions are a million miles away from the team they used to be, this was it.

The visitors had Erling Haaland back. Phil Foden started his first game for a month alongside Kevin De Bruyne.