City had been rocked by using Kyle Walker-Peters' first ever pinnacle-flight intention inside the opening minutes at St Mary's. After a terrible first 1/2 through their excessive requirements, Pep Guardiola's side kicked into tools after the destroy. City defender Laporte headed the equaliser, however the runaway leaders could not increase their prevailing streak in a one-sided finale that noticed the traffic lay seige to the Southampton aim.
The champions had to accept a end result that left them 12 factors clear of 2d-placed Liverpool, who have two video games in hand and face Crystal Palace on Sunday. For the first time because they had been crushed 2-0 by means of Palace on October 30, City completed a league game with out all three factors. They continue to be firmly in pole role for a fourth title in five seasons, however their draw at the south coast will supply a glimmer of wish to Liverpool and 1/3-positioned Chelsea.
Ruben Dias back to the City defence in place of John Stones, but the champions' rearguard become quickly uncovered. City have been rocked within the 7th minute when Walker-Peters connected up with Nathan Redmond at the right flank. Walker-Peters cut interior and, with City backing off, the proper-lower back had area to shoot into the a ways nook with the outdoor of his foot.
It was simply the 14th purpose City had conceded within the league this time period and that they were nearly breached again nine mins later. Armando Broja changed into played in in the back of the City defence and slotted past Ederson, only for the intention to be dominated out for offside.
Frustrated with the aid of Southampton's high-electricity display, City had been struggling to locate their normal rhythm. Raheem Sterling almost snatched an equaliser against the run of play with curler that whistled simply huge from a tight perspective.
Sterling have to have added City stage moments later, however the forward fluffed his traces from Phil Foden's pass, allowing Fraser Forster to store his below-hit near-variety attempt. Ederson made an instinctive forestall to preserve out Jan Bednarek's close to-submit header early inside the 2nd half of.
Rodri's miscued strike from the edge of the region almost stuck out Forster, who turned it across the publish at full stretch. Laporte made a fantastic final-ditch block to frustrate Broja after the Southampton forward raced easy via on intention. Broja ought to have scored from the ensuing nook, however headed James Ward-Prowse's shipping against the woodwork from simply four yards.
It turned into a important omit and City subsequently equalised in the 65th minute as Laporte exploited Southampton's weak spot within the air. Kevin De Bruyne swung a loose-kick to the a ways publish and Laporte become left completely unmarked to score the eleventh headed goal against Southampton in the league this season.
As City pushed for a winner, De Bruyne hammered a 25-backyard rocket against the put up and Forster saved Gabriel Jesus' header together with his legs. City have been denied a penalty after VAR dominated Oriol Romeu's foul on De Bruyne had taken place simply out of doors the vicinity. Stuart Armstrong became fortunate to escape a red card following a VAR check of his excessive foul on Laporte.
