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Man City news: ‘I thought Guardiola would take him off’ - star singled out vs Southampton
MANCHESTER CITY ace Oleksandr Zinchenko had a difficult afternoon against Southampton at St Mary’s on Sunday.
Zinchenko was filling in at left-back for City due to the injury to Benjamin Mendy and suspension to Fabian Delph.
However, he was guilty of gifting Southampton their equaliser following David Silva’s opener.
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Saints midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg stole the ball off Zinchenko 25 yards out from goal, strode towards the box and smashed past Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson.
And at half time, former City striker Craig Bellamy said Zinchenko cannot afford to dwell on the ball like he did.
I was actually wondering whether the manager would bring him off because he was in a bit of a tumble dryer
“If you watch Zinchenko there, square on, it's a green light to go and press,” Bellamy said on Sky Sports.
“Hojbjerg then does that, dispossesses him and a really good finish by Hojbjerg.
“He’s Southampton’s main player for me this season.
“But Zinchenko, when you’re receiving it square you’ve got to be side on.
“If you receive it square you’ve got to be able to play one touch.
“As soon as he touches the ball there, green light to go and press and really good play by Hojbjerg.”
Minutes later Zinchenko was then involved in a moment of controversy.
Southampton believed they deserved a penalty after the 22-year-old appeared to trip James Ward-Prowse in the box.
Jamie Redknapp agreed it was not a penalty but thought City boss Pep Guardiola could have substituted Zinchenko after a difficult spell in the game.
“It was a bad few minutes for him,” Redknapp said.
“I was actually wondering whether the manager would bring him off because he was in a bit of a tumble dryer, sometimes you get yourselves in these positions and your head starts to go.
“I don’t think it was a penalty but it easily could have been given, it was one of those because the referee didn’t have a great view of it.”
City won the game 3-1 to reduce Liverpool's lead at the top of the table to seven.