IF ever there was a contrast in football, it would surely be between Robbie Fowler and Kevin Phillips.

Fowler, the teenage prodigy who had it all at Liverpool.

Phillips, a player who was released by Saints and headed straight into non-league football.

One seems to be drifting through his career, while the other took the knocks, maintained his self-belief and became a success.

Right now, Phillips encapsulates everything that is good about Saints, while Fowler is a prime example of the weaknesses in a Manchester City team packed with under-performing big-name stars.

Here is a player who once brought water to the eyes of opposition fans.

On Saturday, the only tears the Saints faithful shed were of laughter.

From a distance, his physique had more in common with Paul Sturrock than any of those playing for the 47-year-old Saints manager.

Indeed, during a moment of confusion when Trevor Sinclair took his tracksuit off to replace the injured Steve McManaman inside 20 minutes, one City fan wondered aloud whether Fowler was already being hauled off through exhaustion.

Kevin Keegan eventually put him out of his misery shortly after the hour mark with the score 2-0 to Saints.

For English football, it's all such a shame, as Fowler is probably still the most naturally gifted striker in the country.

Sadly, he was so good, it seems he is satisfied and able to be a decent Premiership striker without being in optimum condition.

Phillips, on the other hand, didn't even start his footballing career as a striker and eventually made the big time via the little-known Baldock Town.

Yet he continues to strive to be the very best he possibly can as he produced another man-of-the-match display on Saturday.

There are few better strikers in the Premiership right now, particularly from England, and he really should now have played his way into Sven-Goran Eriksson's plans for Euro 2004.

The odds remain against a call-up for the 30-year-old, but I've a sneaky feeling Phillips could yet be Eriksson's surprise selection.

After all, it's not as if the squad is bursting with goals, senior professionals or such complete centre-forwards.

Phillips' case right now looks stronger than any of Emile Heskey, Alan Smith or Jermain Defoe.

Another whose determination has never been in question is new captain James Beattie who was also magnificent throughout Saturday's 3-1 win, scoring his 16th this season.

Prior to the game, Sturrock admitted the performances of his new players have left him puzzled.

Limp against Pompey and Middlesbrough, excellent in victories over Wolves and Tottenham, somewhere in between in the rather fortuitous 2-0 win against Liverpool.

Still, if Saints are up and down, they have been positively predictable compared with Manchester City.

For that reason, it was impossible to know what might emerge from a ground which has been such a minefield of inconsistency.

Thankfully, it proved to be two of Saints' best goals of the season in Beattie's opener and Phillips' clincher.

It was also a wonderful sight to see a Southampton player in Marian Pahars really pin his ears back and run directly behind an opposition defence.

With the quality of Graeme Le Saux at left-back, that whole flank suddenly looked far stronger and more balanced.

The result leaves City in some trouble, although it would be a shame to see them go down.

Their new stadium is truly awe-inspiring, the fans are outstanding and in Keegan they have a manager committed to entertaining football.

Yet there was somehow a little justice in the air on Saturday - particularly when weighing up the talent and application of the respective strikeforces.