As Sergio Aguero scored the winner for Manchester City against Bayern Munich on Tuesdayhis 17th goal in 18 games this seasonit felt like a huge moment psychologically for the City players. Its not been an easy few months for them. Their form has been patchy at best, with damaging nervousness and negativity spreading across much of the squad. The 2-2 draw against CSKA Moscow in Russia, where City lost a two-goal half-time lead, appeared to affect them badly, and they struggled to recapture their best form before the recent international break, winning just once in six matches. Its a run that has threatened their title ambitions and has left them needing last-ditch miracles to qualify from their Champions League group, but two wins in their last two matches has lifted some of the gloom. They came from a goal down to beat Swansea City on Saturday, with Yaya Toures performance, in particular, providing some much-needed positivity after a season in which hes struggled to recapture his blistering form of a few months ago. And Tuesdays win over Bayern, although far from vintage City, was completed in such dramatic fashion, with two Aguero goals in the last five minutes, it could well prove to be the catalyst for better form.Quite how City escaped with three points is a mystery to many. Despite going down to 10 men early on, Bayern looked comfortable for much of the match and led after a Xabi Alonso free-kick and a Robert Lewandowski header. But that man Aguero, who has, at times, single-handedly carried City during recent weeks, particularly in the absence of David Silva, rescued them, and they now go into Matchday 6 of this seasons Champions League with a real chance of emerging from Group E. Those late goals shouldnt mask what was another insipid display, but they should be used as a boost in confidence.And City now head to St. Marys this weekend to play an in-form Southampton side, knowing a win there would really represent a turnaround in form. It would keep themselves in striking distance of Chelsea, who threaten to runaway with the title if others dont improve quickly. The Saints sit second in the Premier League table, despite a summer which saw them lose a host of top players and manager Mauricio Pochettino, who went to Tottenham. It was the kind of upheaval that was supposed to derail them, with many predicting they would struggle to remain the league. Very few are saying that now, with Champions League football, although ultimately unlikely, now on the agenda for the south-coast club. This is a real test for City, and the boost the win over Bayern has provided will be tested. Southampton play an open, attractive brand of football, which usually suits City far better than sides who look to close ranks and hit them on the break or punish them from set pieces. Addressing the media ahead of the game, Pellegrini said he wasnt surprised by their start to the season:Not surprised. Southampton is a very good team with good players, and they are playing very well.If you review last season, I think Southampton was very near this position in this week, I dont know exactly the amount of points, but it was an important team also, especially in the first round of fixtures, so for me, it is not a surprise. They have very good players, and they play well.Aleksandar Kolarov, Edin Dzeko and David Silva remain unavailable for the trip to St. Marys for a game which Pellegrini knows is vitally important:Yes, it is an important game because we need the three points, and we can be in the second place.It is always better to be second than third, but it is not only this game. This is the first game of the three we must play this week in the Premier League, and I hope after the three we can be second place and be near to Chelsea.Their two wins this week were hardly a return to the free-flowing football that won them two trophies last season, but after coming from behind in both and showing real character, it represents something of a turning point. Three points on Sunday would further underline their improvement and keep them dreaming of another title push.Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2014-15 season. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter: @RobPollard.Read more World Football news on BleacherReport.com
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