Relegated Southampton shut out lifeless Manchester City to move past the Premier League record low mark of 11 points with a goalless draw at St Mary's.

This season's Saints are now up to 12 points to ensure Derby County's record low from the 2007-08 season remains intact for at least another year.

City could have moved level on points with second-placed Arsenal with a win but served up a dismal attacking display a week before their FA Cup final against Crystal Palace.

They stay in third place but the dropped points on the south coast could prove costly in a tight race for a top-five finish and a place in the Champions League next season.

Erling Haaland returned from injury but offered little as Pep Guardiola's side were content to play at walking pace against an ittedly packed Southampton defence, and looked devoid of ideas for most of the game.

Defender Manuel Akanji headed wide from a corner and Bernardo Silva saw a shot hacked off the line by Saints captain Jack Stephens.

Saints goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was only called into serious action inside the last few minutes, clawing away a header from Ruben Dias before Omar Marmoush rattled the crossbar from long range.

But there were cheers from the stoic home crowd at the whistle as the hosts held on for just a third clean sheet all season.

Southampton were relegated in early April and sacked Ivan Juric, their second manager this season, 24 hours later.

They had taken one point at home since November before this match and few would have held hope of taking anything from a City side who had appeared to have found some form.

Interim boss Simon Rusk urged his side to end the season with "as much dignity as possible" and this point at least leaves them as just one of the worst sides in Premier League history.

With games against Everton and Arsenal to come there is a chance for more pride to be restored - though it should be said they were still poor against City.

No Saints player made a tackle until the 18th minute as the visitors were allowed possession and Saints won just 35 of 80 duels.

They failed to have a single shot on target - but the fans still left happy after the final whistle.

City were 13 points behind Arsenal on 1 April - but could, and should, have moved level with Mikel Arteta's side with a win in the sunshine of Southampton.

Talisman Haaland was back to lead the line after seven games out with an ankle injury but the Norwegian only managed one shot on goal - a header off target in the 91st minute.

The struggles were not his alone. City looked unable to break down a Southampton side which had shipped 82 goals in the league this season and only really threatened in the dying stages.

City have now failed to score in four of their past 11 Premier League games, as many blanks as in their previous 55 in the competition.

How damaging this result is to their hopes of Champions League football next season will be clearer at the end of the weekend.

But one thing that is for certain is City will have to be much sharper if they are to win at Wembley next week.