Man City’s surprising draw at Southampton throws Champions League hopes into doubt

It could prove to be two crucial dropped points for third-placed City
Haaland’s return after a six-week absence because of injury couldn’t inspire City

LONDON: Manchester City’s Champions League qualification ambitions were thrown back into doubt on Saturday after a surprising 0-0 draw at already-relegated Southampton, the Premier League’s last-placed team.

It could prove to be two crucial dropped points for third-placed City in a six-team race for the four remaining spots to get into the Champions League, along with champion Liverpool.

Even Erling Haaland’s return after a six-week absence because of injury couldn’t inspire City, which dragged themselves into a better position in the league on the back of four straight wins.

City had two points more than Newcastle and Chelsea — who meet at St.

James’ Park on Sunday — and four more than Nottingham Forest, which host already-relegated Leicester on Sunday.

Seventh-placed Villa were a further point back and visit Bournemouth later Saturday.

City’s unprecedented four-year reign as champion was ended by Liverpool this season.

The draw lifted Southampton onto 12 points — one more than the lowest ever points haul in a single season, set by Derby County in 2007-08.