Man City - 1 Southampton - 3 "We thought if we played well, their support would turn," said Kevin Phillips after the game and that is exactly what the home fans did the moment he settled the match by scoring Southampton's third goal; they turned and walked away. By the time of the final whistle there was hardly anyone left to boo the home team off the pitch, although those who remained tried.

This was Kevin Keegan's first game in charge of City after a four-match absence caused by a back problem. Much of the time, he says, was spent sifting through memorabilia and newspaper cuttings going back to the start of his playing days at Scunthorpe. His has been a remarkable career but any remaining doubt that Keegan's glory days are over was wiped away with this defeat.

Saturday's visit to Leicester has now assumed monumental importance, particularly with Leeds United hosting Portsmouth the following day. Should results go against them, City will end the week in the bottom three; with debts approaching £60 million they can scarcely afford for this season to get any worse.

"I'm not worried about relegation," Keegan said, "but I know we're in a dogfight. We'll work and work and work and work at all the things we can improve on from today but it's the tension that's the problem, and that can all change with a goal.

"Southampton were able to relax and didn't have that tension but next week will be different. Leicester are fighting for their lives as well."

City's day might have been considerably less dismal had Nicolas Anelka not hit wide when Robbie Fowler, later booed from the pitch by his own fans, played him through in the 17th minute.

Another 17 minutes later and City fell behind to Southampton's first serious attack. Marian Pahars combined well with Rory Delap on the left wing and he was allowed plenty of space to hit an early, left-footed cross which James Beattie headed powerfully past David James.

Delap was also involved in the second as Beattie nodded on his throw for Phillips to score at the far post. By the time of the third, with less than 10 minutes left, City had abandoned defending altogether, Anelka having given them hope with a stabbed goal from Paulo Wanchope's centre. Nevertheless, it was still a supremely confident finish from Phillips after he was released by Paul Telfer's clearance.

"It surprises me to see where City are," said Phillips. "Obviously something is amiss at the club. I was in a similar situation at Sunderland last year. The losing habit is hard to get out of and Kevin has a difficult job."

By now Keegan will have packed away his boxes of memorabilia; he may not want to add to them for some time yet.