Not again.
As one of the 46,109 fans inside the Etihad on Sunday I couldn't help but draw similarities between our previous, unforgettable league game. Coasting against a newly promoted team before two quick goals leave fans heading for the exits shaking their heads.
Thankfully, just as in May, City showed excellent character by coming back to win the game but if City do start to make a habit of last gasp victories, City fans are going to start having serious health issues.
Mancini handed a debut to Jack Rodwell alongside Yaya Toure whilst the inexperienced Southampton back line 'faced the best front line they've ever faced' as Nigel Adkins, Saints boss, put it. Silva, Nasri, Aguero and Tevez would have made a formiddable foursome to the Premier League new boys but if they were afraid, you couldn't tell.
City started slowly, the early buoyant atmosphere evaporated once it became clear that Aguero had suffered a serious injury under a strong challenge from Nathaniel Clyne.
Excellent work from Samir Nasri and intelligence from Tevez gave City an early penalty when the Argentinean was felled in the area. Balotelli and Milner, both excellent penalty takers, could only watch asEuro 2012 winner David Silva sent a tame effort into the grateful arms of Kelvin Davis that belied Silva's talents.
The Southampton players grew in confidence but could do nothing about City's first goal. It was Nasri and Tevez again causing chaos in the Saints back line. Nasri's sublime chipped through ball found the onrushing Tevez who fired low past Davis.
After the half time break City got that all too familiar sinking feeling. Edin Dzeko and Gael Clichy were guilty of poor finishing before misfiring Silva could only hit the bar with the goal gaping in front of him. City were made to regret their finishing skills.
Two Southampton substitutes, two goals, ten minutes. Rickie Lambert equalised with a low finish before Steven Davis curled the ball past a helpless Joe Hart to give the newly promoted side the lead, much to the delight of the travelling fans.
Those fans weren't celebrating for long after Edin Dzeko made it 2-2. A Vincent Kompany shot could only find Yaya Toure who bundled the ball to his left towards the Bosnian. Dzeko promptly smashed the ball past Kelvin Davis to level proceedings. Dzeko has his critics but he's making scoring at important moments an excellent habit.
City's winning goal was made in France. The turnaround was complete when the hugely impressive Nasri blasted the ball into the top corner after Danny Fox could only head fellow Frenchman Gael Clichy's sweeping cross back into Nasri's path. Nasri lifted his top to reveal an 'Eid Mubarak' message, a hugely respectful gesture from a player who has his fair share of critics.
Mancini brought on Kolarov who helped City to survive a late Southampton surge. Gael Clichy needed to make an excellent last ditch tackle to prevent a third Saints goal. Mancini will now look ahead to City's visit to a wounded Liverpool side, looking to avenge their humiliation at the hands of West Brom on the opening day of the season.
Player Ratings
Joe Hart - 6 : Couldn't do much for either goal, wasn't really tested other than that. His distribution was good.
Pablo Zabaleta - 6 : Wasn't one of his best performances. He found himself out of position on several occasions. The Saints had a lot of joy down his side.
Vincent Kompany - 6 : Dealt with the few Southampton attacks well. Not up to his high standards.
Joleon Lescott - 7 : Dominant iin the air. Benefits from playing alongside Kompany
Gael Clichy - 8 : Provided an excellent attacking threat and made an outstanding last ditch tackle to prevent a Southampton third goal. Should have scored.
Jack Rodwell - 7 : Made one crucial mistake. Despite this he played well on his debut. He looked comfortable on the ball, strong and quick. I was sceptical but he looks to be an excellent addition to the squad.
Yaya Toure - 8 : The man mountain pulled the strings in midfield the more the game went on. His recent performances this season and at the tail end of last season show just how important he is, and how unique a player he is
David Silva - 5 : I only rate him so harshly when I compare him with his usual standard of performance. His penalty was awful, he admitted as much on Twitter. He's had no pre-season and he'll be back to his best soon.
Samir Nasri - 9 : Impeccable performance. With Silva misfiring we needed someone to step up to the plate. His passing was intelligent, his movement excellent and even before his goal he was my MotM. We saw a different side to his game, he tackled excellently and never stopped running.
Carlos Tevez - 8 : If Aguero faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines then Tevez's role becomes even more important. Took his goal excellently. By dropping deep he creates space for others. He looks lean, focused and seems to be enjoying his football. All is forgiven.
Sergio Aguero - N/A : Mancini and City fans alike will nervously wait the results of his scan. He's tweeted saying there is no significant damage and with the best medical team in the EPL hopefully he'll be back to full fitness soon.
Subs: Edin Dzeko - 7 : Just as in May he scored a vital equaliser but he really should have scored more and he was guilty of poor finishing. He held the ball up and linked with others well but could have had a hat-trick.
Mario Balotelli - N/A : Brought on to score a goal but fluffed his lines with the goal gaping.
Aleksandar Kolarov - N/A - Brought on to shore up the defence as Mancini switched to the 3-5-2 formation he experimented with throughout pre-season in order to guarantee the victory.