Pass, pass, pass. The ball was knocked about like an exhibition as the opposition team ran around as so many do at the Etihad increasingly frustrated as they couldn't get the ball.
Except it was Southampton here who had possession and however annoyed Phil Foden may have been at his Manchester City teammates for not pressing as intensely as he was the home team were 1-0 up with the visitors pinned in their own third.
Pep Guardiola had spoke at length about deep defences after the Wolves game, explaining how difficult it is to break down a team of 11 players in their own penalty area.
In midweek against Sparta Prague when they were 3-0 up, Manu Akanji kept the ball deliberately near Ederson to bait a press before setting the wheels in motion for a wonderful fourth goal. READ MORE: Man City player ratings vs Southampton with three 8/10s as Haaland scores READ MORE: Man City vs Southampton highlights and reaction This was different again and much weirder.