Lampard scores opener on final Premier League appearance
FA Premier League
Sunday 24 May 2015, 15.00 KO
City: Hart, Zabaleta, Demichelis, Mangala, Kolarov, Fernandinho, Toure (Bony 66), Lampard (c) (Navas 77), Milner (Kompany 78), Silva, Aguero
Unused: Caballero, Clichy, Jovetic, Dzeko
Goals: Lampard (31), Aguero (88)
Booked: Demichelis
Referee: Chris Foy
Man of the match: Lampard
The final game of Manchester City's season was a tough home game against Ronald Koeman's Southampton. With both sides approaching the game in good form it was always going to be an interesting battle, with City already having second secured, and the Saints looking for a win to help their Europa League push.
City manager Manuel Pellegrini named an unchanged starting XI, seeing no reason for any changes after five consecutive wins. His side started well, with David Silva and Frank Lampard linking up nicely before the England legend added a goal on his final Premier League appearance.
James Milner was the provider, firing a low cross perfectly into the feet of Lampard who drilled the ball home with his left foot. It was a fantastic goal, and typical of Lampard's superbly timed runs into the box.
Southampton, to their credit continued to play out from the back, looking to use the pace of Mane and Long to unsettle City's full backs, but it was home side who created the better chances. Sergio Aguero, uncharacteristically, was guilty of fluffing his lines, firing twice straight at the onrushing Kelvin Davies when one on one with the keeper.
The second half was a slightly flat affair, with both sides struggling to find their rhythm. Southampton, for all of their possession, created few clear cut chances with Joe Hart having a comfortable afternoon in goal.
With the game looking as if it was just going to go out with a whimper, City added a second with Golden Boot winner Aguero adding another goal to what has been a fabulous season for him. The Argentine had the simple task of heading home unmarked after Eliaquim Mangala found him in the area.
It finished with City keeping another clean sheet, one which deservedly earned Hart the Golden Glove award with 14 shut outs in what has been an impressive season for the England international. It also meant that City finished the season with six wins on the bounce, which will hopefully bodes well for the start of next season. It may just be enough to keep Manuel Pellegrini in a job.