Kompany hails City character

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has hailed his side’s team spirit after they came from behind to beat Southampton on Sunday.

The reigning Premier League champions took the lead themselves five minutes before the break through Carlos Tevez, but two goals in quick succession from Rickie Lambert and Steven Davis saw Nigel Adkins’ side to the lead, before Edin Dzeko and Samir Nasri sealed the three points.

The Belgium international reminded any doubters of City’s unbeaten home record last season, while insisted that the comeback win was another example of the same fight and determination that helped win them the league last term.

“We have always proved to be very difficult to beat at home,” the centre-back told City TV. “Maybe we will just get belief out of this. Maybe that is why we always keep coming back and it never seems to be finished.

“I don’t even need to say it loudly. Last season proved how crucial it (team spirit) was for us, in the last games. We showed we wanted it as much. It doesn’t matter if we have our best game or our worst game, we just keep going.

“As much as I can say we have a lot to improve on still, I can also say we can really all be happy because of great qualities of character.”

Though City ended the match with the maximum points on offer, they made it hard for themselves; David Silva saw his penalty saved by Kelvin Davis with the score at 0-0, before they missed multiple chances to allow Southampton back into the game.

The 26-year-old Kompany acknowledged that they should have taken their chances early on in the match, but applauded the newly promoted outfit for making it a difficult day for his side.

Kompany added: “If everything had gone to plan we would have scored two or three goals before they even got their first. We missed a few chances and they used the one opportunity they had very well and the game became very difficult, but I am very happy about the reaction of the team.

“That is what we needed to see. Therefore we are very happy with the win and the result. We have to respect Southampton, they played really well. It is a good result for us.”