Frank Lampard wrapped up his Manchester City career with the opening goal before Sergio Aguero netted to give Manuel Pellegrini's men a 2-0 win over Southampton at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The obstinate Saints were showing why they hold the division's best defensive record, and City were unable to create anything clear cut inside the first 20 minutes.
It was the visitors who created the first real chance of the game when Shane Long raced onto a flick-on by Graziano Pelle, but the Irishman's effort was saved by Joe Hart.
© Getty Images
City responded almost immediately when David Silva threaded a ball through to Aguero, but the Argentina hitman could only fire over the bar on 21 minutes.
Aguero was denied by Kelvin Davis moments later after the goalkeeper had initially spilled Yaya Toure's strike into the path of the striker.
Lampard, who was made captain for the afternoon, broke the deadlock just after the half-hour mark in typical fashion when he arrived inside the penalty area to meet James Milner's low cross and send the ball past Davis with a first-time strike.
After the break, City pushed for a second and some neat build-up play saw Milner flight a cross to Lampard, but his header was held by Davis.
Long was given a half-chance to even things up on 67 minutes, but his strike was tame and comfortably held by Hart.
City had the England goalkeeper to thank for keeping the score at 1-0 as he stopped Sadio Mane's weak header before denying Long again.
Aguero made the result secure with two minutes of normal time remaining, nodding home after Eliaquim Mangala had sent a looping header into his teammate's path.
Paul Gorst
