Pep Guardiola kept his Manchester City players locked in their dressing-room for nearly an hour after their winless run stretched to five games.
Guardiola did not emerge from the home dressing-room until 50 minutes after the final whistle, determined to deliver some home truths in his post-match inquest.
John Stones gifted Southampton the opener after 27 minutes, Nathan Redmond seizing on his poor back-pass to open the scoring for the visitors.
Substitute Kelechi Iheanacho earned a point for City with a 54th-minute equaliser, enough to keep them top of the Premier League on goal difference.
But Guardiola’s decision to keep his players confined to the dressing-room for so long showed how angry he was, even if he did try to play it down afterwards.
“The red wine was good and I took a little bit longer,” joked Guardiola.
“We were together, we spoke, but nothing special. We spoke about the situation.
“I was football player so I know this can happen. You’re able to win 10 times in a row and after you’re not able to win five times.
“You have to accept that, but I have to discover the reason why and I’m going to fight for that.”
Guardiola refused to blame Stones for City’s failure to win, just as he absolved keeper Claudio Bravo when he was sent off in last week’s 4-0 Champions League defeat at Barcelona.
“Today with John and on Wednesday with Claudio, that is not the reason,” said Guardiola.
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