Inexplicable mistakes by Joe Hart and Gareth Barry gave Manchester City’s Premier League title hopes a potentially decisive blow as Southampton secured its first win under Mauricio Pochettino in style.
City goalkeeper Hart admitted in the build-up that anything but victory at St. Mary’s would all but end any their hopes of retaining the title, with leaders Manchester United already boasting a nine-point cushion.
Roberto Mancini’s side simply did not look like a side in need of a victory Saturday, conceding after just seven minutes when Jason Puncheon slotted home.
Hart could have possibly done better with the shot that led to the opener, but there was no doubting his culpability for Southampton’s second.
Excellent team interplay put through Rickie Lambert, whose fierce drive squirmed through the England international’s grasp, allowing Steven Davis to bundle home.
Edin Dzeko reduced the deficit as halftime approached, though a two-goal lead could have been restored on the stroke of halftime had referee Martin Atkinson not waved away Jay Rodriguez’s penalty appeals.
That was soon forgotten, though, as Barry passed into his own goal unchallenged to put Saints on course for a first win since Pochettino replaced Nigel Adkins at the helm.
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