Erling Haaland's goal secured a narrow victory for Manchester City against Southampton, reinforcing their position at the top of the Premier League. Pep Guardiola's side continues to apply pressure on rivals Liverpool and Arsenal, who must match City's intensity to stay in contention. With this win, City now sits at 23 points, leading Liverpool by two and Arsenal by a significant six points, putting pressure on Mikel Arteta's team to avoid defeat in their upcoming match. Despite the victory, City appeared somewhat lackluster, with Guardiola emphasizing the importance of patience in their play. Haaland had several opportunities to extend his tally, potentially scoring a hat-trick, but ultimately settled for just one goal. The manager faced challenges with limited options on the bench due to injuries, with only Ilkay Gündogan available as a senior attacking substitute.