FORMER Saints forward Peter Crouch has delivered a glowing verdict of Ralph Hasenhuttl and his side following the Manchester City draw – adding: “Either that or he has a cheat code on how to take points off them.”

Saints became the first team this season to prevent the Premier League champions from taking maximum points in either the home or away fixture.

Stopping their 12-match winning streak is probably nothing more than a minor blip in their title rampage, of which they are still nine points clear at the table’s summit.

However, for Hasenhuttl and his staff it was a momentous and very personal success story, putting in long hours throughout the week to try and once again become Pep Guardiola’s kryptonite.

Assessing the clash in the Daily Mail, Crouch said: “Manchester City are human after all. Either that or Ralph Hasenhuttl has a cheat code on how to take points off them.

“Twelve consecutive victories would not become 13 at Southampton, which gives a chink of light in the title race.

“Hasenhuttl said before the weekend draw that he was hoping for 35 per cent possession and that speaks volumes for how the rest of the division have struggled to contend with Guardiola."

He continued: “Southampton played really well. They always carried that threat going forward and made sure they were affecting the game as high up the pitch as possible.

“Armando Broja, on loan from Chelsea, is obviously a handful, a brutish striker who can make defenders think.

“These are the sort of guys needed if you are taking anything off City. And Southampton under Hasenhuttl are more adept than most.”

City are not the only team at the top end of the table whom Saints have been able to take points off already this campaign.

Hasenhuttl’s charges drew 0-0 with West Ham at St Mary’s before beating them 3-2 on Boxing Day at London Stadium, and have also drawn with both Manchester United and Spurs.

For Crouch, City are the most complete test in the division: “What more can we say about Guardiola at this point?

“The man is a genius and probably won’t get the full credit he deserves until he does eventually leave. He has done an amazing job and it would be a shock if there wasn’t some form of dip from City once he departs.

“There are no weaknesses in their set-up and whenever a player is unavailable, or left out, another of the same quality comes in to replace him.

“The mentality within the squad is something else as well and that comes from Guardiola. They show that willingness to go year after year in a pursuit of winning.”