Wigley and Keegan keep faith

Steve Wigley and Kevin Keegan, perhaps two of the Premiership’s most vulnerable managers, kept faith in trusted resources as Southampton took on Manchester City today.

Saints Head Coach Wigley, still seeking his first Premiership win since taking charge from Paul Sturrock, stuck to the same side that lost unluckily at Fulham last Saturday.

Keegan’s side, who eased the pressure on their boss by winning at Crystal Palace, hitting seven against Barnsley and losing only narrowly to Arsenal, were without injured Frenchman Antoine Sibierski and American Claudio Reyna.

There was still no place in the squad for out-of-sorts Robbie Fowler but Ben Thatcher returned to add steel at the back.

Southampton: Niemi, Nilsson, Lundekvam, Jakobsson, Le Saux, Fernandes, Delap, Prutton, Anders Svensson, Phillips, Beattie. Subs: Blayney, Van Damme, Kenton, McCann, Crouch.

Man City: James, Mills, Distin, Dunne, Thatcher, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Barton, Bosvelt, Jihai, Anelka, Macken. Subs: McManaman, Bradley Wright-Phillips, Sommeil, Flood, Waterreus.

Referee: U Rennie (S Yorkshire)