On the big screen at the Etihad Stadium, multi-angle slow-motion replays of the previous attack and defense were played repeatedly.

David Silva's breakthroughs and shots are absolutely world-class. His shot that blocks the view is short, fast, and highly concealed, and it is absolutely impossible to be blocked.

However, Gu Ran was able to brake forcefully even when his body was clearly on the verge of losing control, and knocked the ball away with his heel like a scorpion's tail. This was even more exciting than David Silva's shot!

World-class offense met world-class defense! Southampton Saints fans were so mesmerized that they even forgot to cheer!

The match had only lasted three minutes, but the game was truly spectacular! Southampton's players high-fived Gu Ran and bumped their chests to congratulate him.

After all, such world-class attacks are rare for Southampton, and being able to defend against world-class attacks is even more amazing!

Gu Ran himself was also in a state of adrenaline overflowing. He hadn't been so excited in a long time.

There are so many benefits to fighting with a master.

David Silva couldn't help but look at Gu Ran again, with a bit of admiration in his eyes.

Gu Ran also grinned at David Silva.

Then, the two of them quickly returned to their positions.

Gu Ran stood in the middle of the penalty area, ready to defend the corner kick.

David Silva ran towards the corner, ready to take a penalty.

David Silva kicked a beautiful and powerful curve ball to the front point.

Vidal, the iron waist in the front point, jumped high and hit Lambert's chest with his elbow. Lambert got the ball, but because of Vidal's foul, he couldn't head the ball out of the penalty area.

Vidal was about to take advantage of the opportunity when the referee blew the whistle.

Vidal was called for a foul, but he was not given a card and possession of the ball was simply returned to Southampton.

Southampton managed to hold on to this powerful attack.

The game continues.

In the next ten minutes, Manchester City launched round after round of fierce attacks from the middle.

The structural characteristics of the 433 formation are indeed very suitable for this kind of attack with backcourt passing and wingers cutting inside.

Southampton's defense seemed shaky and weak, but with Gu Ran in charge of the central axis, Southampton always stood tall in the storm.

The physical confrontation between the two sides was also very fierce.

As soon as Southampton had a chance, they shot from the backcourt and hit the ball behind Manchester City's full-back.

But there are too few opportunities to fight back.

The game was in the 17th minute.

No. 18 Gareth Barry made a beautiful two-on-three combination with left-back No. 13 Alexander Kolarov, and then Gareth Barry passed the ball directly to Balotelli who broke into the penalty area.

After getting the ball, Balotelli immediately got rid of Jaidi who was marking him, and then he made an unreasonable volley with the instep of his foot.

Davis jumped up and lifted the ball over the crossbar with one hand! Southampton Saints fans breathed a sigh of relief.

Davis' performance today was really amazing. Manchester City has had 8 shots in the first half, but Davis never let Manchester City succeed.

Manchester City got their fourth corner kick of the first half.

David Silva took the penalty again.

David Silva kicked the ball in front of the goal!

There was chaos in front of the goal! Balotelli jumped up and shook his head like a lion! Davis was helpless...

The ball went in! The Etihad Stadium instantly became boiling, with countless Blue Moon flags waving wildly!

Southampton players surrounded the referee to complain, they thought the ball interfered with the goalkeeper, but the referee ignored their complaints!

The score on the big screen was immediately changed to Manchester City 1:0 Southampton.

Although they were behind in the score, the Saints fans who came to watch the game were not disappointed with the Southampton players, but continued to applaud and sing in support.

The role of die-hard fans is fully reflected here.

The game continues.

Southampton cheered up and continued to strengthen their defense.

Although they lost one goal, it was not lost in open play, so Southampton's overall competitive situation is still good.

After taking a one-goal lead, Manchester City also tried to expand the score. They wanted to end the suspense in the first half, so they attacked more crazily. Both full-backs assisted the wingers, and Lescott was the only one left in the backcourt. Even Kompany participated in the frontcourt attack.

In the 26th minute, David Silva passed Richardson and made a wonderful pass directly into the penalty area.

However, Gu Ran predicted the landing point of David Silva's pass one step ahead and got into position first.

Balotelli did not stop, but flew straight forward and hit Gu Ran.

Gu Ran showed no weakness, half-turned to protect the ball and knocked it back to goalkeeper Davis, while bearing the impact of Balotelli on his back! Balotelli hit Gu Ran's body, just like hitting a mountain rock, and immediately grinned.

But Gu Ran only staggered two steps, quickly steadied his body, then turned around quickly to get rid of Balotelli and ran forward.

Davis immediately passed the ball to Gu Ran. When Gu Ran took the ball to his own penalty area, he was not in a hurry to pass the ball, but instead attracted firepower in the dangerous area!

This was a very bold move. If the ball was intercepted, Southampton would be in dire straits.

However, Gu Ran had a super big heart! Yaya Toure, Gareth Barry, Arturo Vidal, James Milner, Micah Richards, and even David Silva all rushed towards Gu Ran, double-teamed him, and counter-robbed him on the spot!

Gu Ran used his physical confrontation and footwork to play in the dangerous area, making several world-class players of Manchester City run around! When his teammates had basically found space, Gu Ran used a rainbow lob to pass the ball to Lallana who was unguarded in the middle! This ball was extremely accurate and not offside.

Lallana started a one-on-one attack directly in the half-court area! Lescott, who stayed behind, quickly came up to intercept Lallana. Lallana made an emergency stop and changed his line, shaking off Lescott's interception and heading straight into the penalty area!

But Lescott is the second most valuable central defender in the Premier League after all. How could he easily let Lallana have a one-on-one chance in the penalty area?

Lescott immediately reached out and pulled Lallana! Lescott's action was very rough and powerful, and Lallana lost his balance and fell directly into the penalty area! Southampton's Saints fans immediately cheered! They shouted for a penalty! Manchester City's Blue Moon fans booed in unison, thinking that Lallana was diving! After exchanging opinions with the linesman, the referee did not award a penalty, nor did he award Lallana a fall, but instead awarded the ball to Manchester City.

The Saints fans at the scene immediately threw bottles and debris into the stadium in dissatisfaction.

Seeing this, Manchester City fans immediately threw bottles and debris at the stands where the Saints fans were.

The Southampton players on the field surrounded the referee to negotiate, but the referee ignored them and put his hands in his pockets, ready to take out a card at any time.

The Southampton players had no choice but to give up.

There is nothing that can be done about this. The referees in the Premier League are all blind and heartless. It is not that they take bribes, but there must be a vested interest connection between them and the top clubs.

This defensive counterattack was Southampton's best chance so far, but unfortunately it was lost.

The coaches of both teams also had different expressions on their faces.

Manchester City's head coach Mancini, wearing an Italian-tailored suit, sat elegantly on the bench with a calm face.

Southampton head coach Adkins stood in the visiting team's technical area and roared wildly, putting pressure on the referee to make his decision.

Although it seemed that Adkins was a little out of control, as the head coach of a weak team playing away from home, if he was bullied and did not dare to exert pressure, then the standard of penalties would completely lean towards Manchester City.

As a coach of a weak team, you need to play like a coach of a weak team.

If Adkins had a lineup like Manchester City, he could also sit on the bench elegantly, chewing gum and zipping up his pants.

The game continues.

Due to dissatisfaction with the referee's decision, the actions of both sides became more tense.

In the 32nd minute, Yaya Toure took the ball in the midfield and pushed forward. Gu Ran and Lambert combined to strangle him. Yaya Toure had no way to break through and pass the ball for a while. In desperation, he directly elbowed Lambert.

Lambert fell to the ground, but the referee did not blow the whistle.

Gu Ran didn't hesitate at all and made a fatal sliding tackle, knocking Yaya Toure, the beast of football player, to the ground with the ball!

The referee blew the whistle, judging that Gu Ran committed a foul, and gave Manchester City a free kick in the frontcourt.

All the Southampton Saints fans were furious.

Fortunately, Lambert was able to stand up again after a simple treatment without any casualties.

Manchester City took a short tactical corner kick, and Arturo Vidal got the ball. Gu Ran took the initiative to rush forward to press. Vidal was unable to get rid of Gu Ran's close defense and could only pass the ball to Yaya Toure who came up to receive the ball.

Lallana saw the opportunity and cut in quickly, poking the ball towards Guli in front.

Southampton counterattacked! But Kompany got up in time, knocked Gully away and kicked the ball directly to the front court!

Manchester City's counterattack came even faster! Balotelli stopped the ball with his thigh while running, and then passed Jaidi who was marking him!

Davis rushed out quickly to intercept Balotelli one-on-one!

Balotelli flicked the ball with his toes and easily shook off Davis!

Southampton has an empty goal! Manchester City's Blue Moon fans have raised their arms and started celebrating their second goal in the first half! Southampton's Saints fans covered their faces, unable to bear to watch the scene that followed.

Balotelli will never disappoint when facing an empty goal! Balotelli slows down!

Balotelli did a Marseille turn in front of the empty goal and shot with his heel! Balotelli...

Shoot the ball out of the baseline! (End of this chapter)