Kompany praises Manchester City team-mates' character in hard-fought victory over Southampton

Aug 20, 2012 8:05:00 PM

The 26-year-old believes that the fight shown to overcome the newly promoted side mirrored that of the determination they showed to claim the Premier League title last season

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has hailed his side's team spirit after coming 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 then Steven Davis either side of the hour mark saw the Saints go on top – 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 Nigel Adkins’ side back into the game.

The 26-year-old acknowledged that they should have taken their chances before they conceded, but applauded the newly promoted outfit for making it a difficult day at the office.

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.''

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