Man City 2-1 Saints - Match Thread

[NewYorkSaint]

It's so weird to have the heartbreak of a loss down to two impossibly unlikely goals... and yet feel so much pride in this team.  We truly showed the world this: we deserve to be in the Premier League....

[Lord Duckhunter]

Superb performance, proper defending & tactics. I don’t get the criticism of Fellows he worked his socks off defensively & helped Bree out massively. Wellington was brilliant for me, not really played much & Leo isn’t great defensively, so he could have been exposed but wasn’t. Jander our best player, but the centre halves ran him close. 
 

Scored too early really, 10 mins a fucking  long time to hang on against them. The fact they had to bring all the big guns on to get it over the line speaks volumes for our players & manager. 

[sockeye]

1 minute ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

The fact they had to bring all the big guns on to get it over the line speaks volumes for our players & manager. 

Haaland coming on late reminded me of the league cup win against them a couple of years back.... alas not to be.

[SNSUN]

50 minutes ago, trousers said:

Just back from the match. I'm a little hoarse... 

I'm so knackered I may not even make it to bed. What a day, what an experience, what a performance even though we didn't get the result. 

[Saint Pete]

18 minutes ago, Hatch said:

Doku completely changed the game today.  All that shyte passing city were doing was getting them nowhere.  

Doku beat Fellows every single time and put them on the front foot 

Agree, think he was the main difference in City's improved showing in the 2nd half, he is such a good substitute, so direct and difficult to stop. Lucky goal though! 

[Dr Who?]

So proud of our club today! 

[HarvSFC]

As we all know, last year we weren't competitive at all, and two years ago we were getting smashed out of the cup by Liverpool's Under 21s. Now, under Eckert, we've played three Premier League teams, two of the best in the country and been competitive in all of the games right up to the final whistle.

Confident that if we were to go up, that we'd give a much better account of ourselves this time. Our line-up on the opening day of the 2024-25 season was shocking. McCarthy, Sugawara, Smallbone, Aribo, Armstrong and Brereton-Diaz with Bednarek and Stephens in a back three alongside THB, and none of them can play that formation. 

We've come a long way in just over a year, they did us proud today, which we couldn't say once this time last year.

[Sir Ralph]

Brilliant performance from players and fans. City fans an embarrassment 

[Hussar Saint]

What a performance, I’m so fucking proud of this group after that!!

This team competes in the PL, we have to go up this season to keep the group together and improve it !!

[Charlie Wayman]

58 minutes ago, saintant said:

Lots of good things said about us today by the commentary teams and pundits and not in a condescending way - most of it came across as genuine credit for how the team have developed under Tonda. Always nice to hear because we don't always get the credit we deserve.

Even Shearer is now proud to call himself a Saint and reflect upon his time at the Academy

[Dr Who?]

On 23/04/2026 at 22:23, die Mannyschaft said:

 Could leave all the 1st team out, Ipswich and Preston are dead games and at this rate of cards and injuries we won't have a decent 45 mins team. 

Typical Stephens, Downes and Manning out for City. 3 of our best players. 

I think you underestimate of squad depth. 

[Sir Ralph]

1 hour ago, kevdoh said:

Look at the difference between fans today. They can keep their money and their cheating. They are a soulless, she'll of a club. Take away their money now and they have nothing. Not a peep from them until they got the winner. Pathetic 

100% soulless club. Prefer to have been in the end of a real club and lost.

[Farmer Saint]

Just back from the game with the kids - great day out and very proud of the team. City fans were utter horseshit. Doku changed the game, shame we couldn't get that transfer over the line a couple of years ago.

Edited 5 hours ago by Farmer Saint

[Charlie Wayman]

1 minute ago, Hussar Saint said:

What a performance, I’m so fucking proud of this group after that!!

This team competes in the PL, we have to go up this season to keep the group together and improve it !!

We still need at least a couple of players with good PL experience.

We must keep Peretz, not sure about Larin or Stewart. Fellows won't cut it in the PL and James Bree will struggle.

Bragg, Jander and Welington are real prospects.

[Sir Ralph]

Just now, Charlie Wayman said:

We still need at least a couple of players with good PL experience.

We must keep Peretz, not sure about Larin or Stewart. Fellows won't cut it in the PL and James Bree will struggle.

Bragg, Jander and Welington are real prospects.

Bragg is top class. When we were under pressure he made the right decision every time. Decision making was superb

[Hussar Saint]

2 minutes ago, Charlie Wayman said:

We still need at least a couple of players with good PL experience.

We must keep Peretz, not sure about Larin or Stewart. Fellows won't cut it in the PL and James Bree will struggle.

Bragg, Jander and Welington are real prospects.

Like I said, improve it…

[Mr Brightside]

Proud of the boys, proud of the fans. I get why City didn’t sell out, but to be so quiet, really poor.  
Hopefully we push on and get promoted now, what this team, and us fans deserve. COYY. 

[Hussar Saint]

10 minutes ago, Charlie Wayman said:

Even Shearer is now proud to call himself a Saint and reflect upon his time at the Academy

He was smoking Man City cock for most of the game!

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

Just now, Hussar Saint said:

He was smoking Man City cock for most of the game!

Really? Sounded quite fair to me.

[CB Fry]

14 minutes ago, Charlie Wayman said:

Even Shearer is now proud to call himself a Saint and reflect upon his time at the Academy

Shearer has always been nice about us, his missus is from Southampton for a start.

[Turkish]

7 minutes ago, Hussar Saint said:

He was smoking Man City cock for most of the game!

 

6 minutes ago, JohnnyShearer2.0 said:

Really? Sounded quite fair to me.

 

1 minute ago, CB Fry said:

Shearer has always been nice about us, his missus is from Southampton for a start.

Was he fuck he spoke for a few minutes before the game about how much he loved his time here then during the game was pretty fair. They did dominate, we were holding on at some points but we were always in it, didn’t say or do anything wrong 

[The Wyvern]

Great effort from the lads, no complaints from me. 
 

Forgot how frustrating it is to play Manchester City. Having to sit behind the ball while they pass it about creating the correct angles- boring!

[CSA96]

[SaintBobby]

It turns out you can simultaneously be incredibly proud and utterly heartbroken.

Never knew that before.

So, for me at least, that made today pretty f-ing epic. 

[Football Special]

20 minutes ago, CSA96 said:

For a team that is "red and white" we always do yellow and blue really well 

[Football Special]

On way home now, i know we're supposed to accept defeats to teams like Man City but feel absolutely gutted, taking the lead briefly gave us that hope that it could just be our turn 

[PerthshireSaint]

23 minutes ago, SaintBobby said:

It turns out you can simultaneously be incredibly proud and utterly heartbroken.

Never knew that before.

So, for me at least, that made today pretty f-ing epic. 

Nicely put sir. 

[SouSaint]

Gutted but so proud of the lads. Up the Saints. 

[saintant]

1 hour ago, beatlesaint said:

I’d just like to say a word about Wellington. Given he’s hardly played for what, 2 months? I thought he was fantastic today.

Such a shame he had to come off.

Some saying Wellington came off because he was shattered - I think I spotted him pull up when he felt a twinge as though he'd done his hamstring or calf. He carried on for a bit but I reckon he's probably out for our remaining games now.

[Harry_SFC]

We defended so well but if we are being honest, they (as expected) had too much for us in the end. 

Special shout out to Welington who has barely played for 2 months. To put in a performance like that against Cherki etc was outstanding. 

[ant]

Planned for a fun day out with the football to be a fun sideshow. And as it was, we gave a very credible account of ourselves. 

My fiancée hasn't historically been into football, but I'd challenge any newbie to not pick up the bug from today.

Only bad thing about the entire day is that we got on at Waterloo circa 21.15 and 2 hours later have only just reached Fareham. Goodness knows how long left til Central. 😴

[saintant]

5 minutes ago, Harry_SFC said:

We defended so well but if we are being honest, they (as expected) had too much for us in the end. 

Special shout out to Welington who has barely played for 2 months. To put in a performance like that against Cherki etc was outstanding. 

If we're being honest every one of their players cost millions more than every one of ours and to run them so close was a superlative effort (I get that you said 'as expected')

[musesaint]

Just back from the game.

So proud of our players, of Tonda and also our brilliant fans. We’ll be back at the end of May for another great day out! 

Difficult to single someone out from what was a brilliant performance by our team but if I had to make a choice I thought Jander was utterly outstanding today. 

 

[madge]

Super proud of our team today, gave everything and just needed that little bit of good fortune and it didn’t happen. Pivotal moment for me was fellows chance at the start of the second half. Why he needed an extra touch when it was simpler to hit it across the keeper and score. Need an upgrade on him next year. Just sat on coach now and we can’t have any regrets. Pawson on another note is an absolute 🔔 end. Allowed city to openly waste time in injury time and blew dead on 97!! Pgmol need to look into shitness like that. Now we need to get promoted.

[saintant]

4 minutes ago, madge said:

Super proud of our team today, gave everything and just needed that little bit of good fortune and it didn’t happen. Pivotal moment for me was fellows chance at the start of the second half. Why he needed an extra touch when it was simpler to hit it across the keeper and score. Need an upgrade on him next year. Just sat on coach now and we can’t have any regrets. Pawson on another note is an absolute 🔔 end. Allowed city to openly waste time in injury time and blew dead on 97!! Pgmol need to look into shitness like that. Now we need to get promoted.

Thought the ref handled the game pretty well to be honest.

[Sheaf Saint]

10 minutes ago, madge said:

Super proud of our team today, gave everything and just needed that little bit of good fortune and it didn’t happen. Pivotal moment for me was fellows chance at the start of the second half. Why he needed an extra touch when it was simpler to hit it across the keeper and score. Need an upgrade on him next year. Just sat on coach now and we can’t have any regrets. Pawson on another note is an absolute 🔔 end. Allowed city to openly waste time in injury time and blew dead on 97!! Pgmol need to look into shitness like that. Now we need to get promoted.

Yeah how he didn't book any City players for time wasting is beyond me. He was just gesturing to them that he would add the time on at the end, then he just didn't.

Can't say I'm shocked though.

[Tamesaint]

That is why they say "It is the hope that kills you". 

[Patrick Bateman]

3 hours ago, trousers said:

Just back from the match. I'm a little hoarse... 

Same ... and wide awake with noises in my head 😂

Brilliant day out, despite the score, love this team right now!

[Saint Marky]

So proud of this team, what an effort they all put in. Our end was fking rocking. They announced only 70000 in attendance doesn’t Wembley hold 80000? well we filled our end. The plastics were probably just waiting for the final, I really hope they lose. Leaving the stadium, having to walk amongst the mancs , what a load of arrogant, entitled twats.

[Patrick Bateman]

4 minutes ago, Saint Marky said:

So proud of this team, what an effort they all put in. Our end was fking rocking. They announced only 70000 in attendance doesn’t Wembley hold 80000? well we filled our end. The plastics were probably just waiting for the final, I really hope they lose. Leaving the stadium, having to walk amongst the mancs , what a load of arrogant, entitled twats.

I don't get this. Yes their support was more subdued and our fans were well on voice as you would be with nearly 20k more fans. But all the Man City fans I saw were fine, no different to any other fanbase.  Plus they get to Wembley what, 2 or 3 times a year, every year, it's not cheap for us, let alone from Manchester. 

 

[Lee On Solent Saint]

1 minute ago, Patrick Bateman said:

I don't get this. Yes their support was more subdued and our fans were well on voice as you would be with nearly 20k more fans. But all the Man City fans I saw were fine, no different to any other fanbase.  Plus they get to Wembley what, 2 or 3 times a year, every year, it's not cheap for us, let alone from Manchester. 

 

Most of the ones we spoke to had southern accents.

[vectraman]

Thanks Saints for a fantastic day at Wembley. Didn’t quite come off for us, but my God it was brilliant when we scored. Memorable goal. Whole team were fantastic and put so much effort in, on and off the ball. Very proud. 
 

[Micky]

Fantastic day out, every single 'yellow' left it all on the pitch, or all in the stand, and did the city proud today.  

[BARCELONASAINT]

Just got back thanks to having got on a coach with a blind driver who can't read his satnav and ended up turning into the most narrowest dead end road near Winchesters park and ride. When he did eventually manage to reverse out he then made a wrong turn in Southampton taking us away from our drop of spot that was so close yet so far!

Anyway what a day, what a game, what a side and what bloody fantastic supporters we have. So so proud of our team and fans tonight. Defeat is always bitter but if you have to lose then Saints showed how it should be done with pure bloody guts.

Tonda take a bow because you have given us our team back.

[Roo1976]

35 minutes ago, Patrick Bateman said:

Same ... and wide awake with noises in my head 😂

Brilliant day out, despite the score, love this team right now!

Same here,just back home,missed our train back home due to Portshite arriving back to Waterloo roughly as we started to arrive from wembley,who plans these things/,there would have been next to no trouble if we played ours Sunday ,but no powers to be must have thought nah things will be OK.....................yeah no trouble.................BTW we did OK better than id imagined for that one brief moment we dreamed it could happen but sadly no a lucky deflection and a worldy to win the game .We played saints and well done to us supporters for never dare to stop believing and singing.

[die Mannyschaft]

Brilliant day at Wembley. Fantastic Saints atmosphere and 15,000 wasted City seats.

Saints played outstanding and Azaz goal Brilliant, why cant he do that in leaque. Two luck goals for City we gave then, gutted.

Only negative do NOT get a coach that parks in pinkcar park.  Took 1 hour to get in so 4 hoour trip from Eastleigh and couldn't get out the bloody place. The parking rows are great but at end blocking in coaches across rows are two lines of coaches. Took well over an hour to move . 

[die Mannyschaft]

33 minutes ago, Patrick Bateman said:

I don't get this. Yes their support was more subdued and our fans were well on voice as you would be with nearly 20k more fans. But all the Man City fans I saw were fine, no different to any other fanbase.  Plus they get to Wembley what, 2 or 3 times a year, every year, it's not cheap for us, let alone from Manchester. 

 

That's the problem with plastic fans that just support a team that has all tge top world players in. You cant afford to 20 SF. 20 Finals. 15 European semis etc etc. Like Man U, Chelsea. Liverpool Spurs these are arm chair pay per view fans all part of the global 2 million fan base.

Its still a waste of seats and Saints could have sold another 5 000 easy. 

[Sardonic Squirrels]

That wasn't fair.   To be beaten like that.       OK Saints fans took a large number to London for the event and had a great time (score aside) and an experience to take away or even pass on to future generations but that must have hurt.    Rival promotion fan or not that was harsh and I feel for the fans who came so close but were denied in the closing stages.     Would have been great half a century on from 1976 for Southampton to have won it again and I'm sorry you fell at the penultimate hurdle.     

Manchester City (who we ourselves lost to in 1981 at the semi-final stage incidentally) are a very good team granted but even they must know they really had to dig in for victory there and put to the test by a really improved team since Russell Martin left that can once again challenge for honours.    Don't be upset by today even though you must be as you really gave it a go and only just narrowly missed out.    I'd wish you well for promotion now as you deserve something from the season but the team I follow makes that a little awkward.  

Sorry again you missed out today and can't repeat 50 years on.   Would have been great for neutrals, Saints fans, I would have applauded it or been one of first in line to offer congrats.   It's a pity we won't get to see that. You did well.   

[austsaint]

4 hours ago, saintant said:

A shout out to Nathan Wood for today's performance. I feared he'd struggle but he was an absolute rock alongside THB typified when he made two superb blocks within seconds of each other. 

He really lifted today and can hold his head high.  Such an impressive, committed team performance.   Manning’s been impressive lately but Wellington’s game was outstanding given his lack of recent game time.    Jander would have turned a few heads today and returning to the Prem looks our only chance of keeping him.   The same probably applies to THB, Scienza and Peretz.

[BarberSaint]

6 hours ago, Saint_clark said:

Because they try to stop him inside and out, all we needed to do was stop him cutting in. Let him do whatever he wants out wide. 

The problem is (and you're right he's a bit one-footed from what I could see) is that he doesn't just get to the by-line and cross it, he tends to then cut back, pull it back or do something a bit more intelligent with it so while it's better to show him outside he's good enough to do something with it once he's got a bit of space.