Manchester City 4, Southampton 0
Joao Cancelo, Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez, and Erling Haaland scored the goals as Manchester City eased past a passive Southampton side.
Haaland fluffed several early chances, including hitting the post, only to score in the second half as he became only the second player after Sergio Aguero to score in seven consecutive Premier League appearances for City.
He has also racked up a remarkable 15 league goals from just 21 shots on target in nine games – as many as City’s top scorer last season Kevin De Bruyne as City went top with Arsenal yet to play this weekend.
City made five changes from the side that thrashed FC Copenhagen in midweek.
Aymeric Laporte, Sergio Gomez, Ilkay Gundogan, Jack Grealish, and Julian Alvarez were rested and were replaced by Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake, Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, and Riyad Mahrez.
The changes meant Akanji started at right back, with Joao Cancelo at left back and Ake partnering Ruben Dias in the centre of defence.
City sold four youngsters to Southampton in the summer for a total of almost £40m although only one of them – goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu – started for the Saints.
Left back Juan Larios was on the bench while winger Samuel Edozie joined the injured Romeo Lavia on the sidelines as under-fire Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl prepared an experienced side to face their biggest challenge of the season.
Embed from Getty ImagesAnd barely a minute had elapsed when City’s first chance emerged with Mahrez’ strike palmed away by Bazunu with Foden’s flick from the rebound clutched gratefully by the Republic of Ireland goalkeeper.
And after 13 minutes Mahrez volleyed over the bar after Cancelo found him with a left wing cross.
A minute later a sumptuous through ball from the left by Phil Foden released Erling Haaland and his beat Bazunu only to see the ball come off the inside of the post and roll along the goal line.
The big Norwegian was mortal after all and the Etihad couldn’t quite believe it.
Mahrez blazed over – he was desperate to get on the scoresheet – but City soon broke the deadlock in the 20th minute.
Foden was fouled by Kyle Walker-Peters trying to find Joao Cancelo but the Portuguese gathered the loose ball, tricked his way past the defence and struck from 9 yards out wide on the left under pressure from James Ward-Prowse to score his second goal of the season.
Ralph Hasenhuttl was not happy throughout the first half – raging at his players at the fourth official – and he was even less happy when Foden doubled the lead after 32 minutes.
Phil Foden had already had a shot palmed away by Bazunu when De Bruyne found him with a through ball and the England midfielder lifted it over the onrushing goalkeeper and into the back of the net after 32 minutes for his 7th goal of the season.
In setting up Foden, the Belgian became the most prolific assister for City in the Premier League era with 94 – moving ahead of David Silva.
City were comfortable at this stage, and Akanji galloped up the right flank and found De Bruyne who tried to set up Haaland for a shot which was deflected.
Just before half time Ake tangled with Che Adams to cut out a through ball as City remained comfortable.
Riyad Mahrez scored City’s third on the volley from 6 yards out after getting on the end of a lofted pass from the left by Rodri to open his account for the season.
Foden fed Haaland for what should have been a fourth for City soon afterwards but the Norwegian slid the ball wide of the near post.
And he inexplicably faltered with the ball rolling past him minutes later as De Bruyne put another great square pass in for the expectant crowd.
Jack Grealish replaced the lively Foden after 58 minutes and it was only a matter of time before Haaland got on the scoresheet – Cancelo crossed from the left after Grealish slowed play down and the Portuguese exchanged passes with De Bruyne before an incisive cross found the Norwegian stealing in at the near post to make it 4-0 – his 20th goal of the season.
That was the signal for a triple change, with Sergio Gomez, Cole Palmer, and Julian Alvarez coming on for Kevin De Bruyne, Joao Cancelo, and Riyad Mahrez with 20 minutes to go.
Haaland could have turned provider after setting up Grealish but the England man blazed over before Rico Lewis became City’s fourth change – replacing Bernardo Silva with 12 minutes to go.
And former City man Juan Larios finally got to make an appearance at the Etihad when he replaced Kyle Walker-Peters a minute later.
Palmer had a good cameo, showing promise down the right flank and forcing a save out of Bazunu as City weren’t at their best but still saw out the comfortable win that saw the Blues return to the top of the Premier League for
GOALS – Manchester City 4, Southampton 0
Man City 1, Southampton 0: 20. Joao Cancelo evaded some static Southampton defending to take the ball into the Saints area after Phil Foden had been fouled getting the ball to him – and he struck the ball past Gavin Bazunu from 9 yards out.
Man City 2, Southampton 0: 32. Phil Foden had already had a shot palmed away by Bazunu when De Bruyne found him with a through ball and the England midfielder lifted it over the onrushing goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
Man City 3, Southampton 0: 49. Riyad Mahrez scored City’s third on the half volley from 6 yards out after getting on the end of a lofted pass from the left by Rodri.
Man City 4, Southampton 0: 65. Erling Haaland stole in at the near post to convert Joao Cancelo’s cross after the Portuguese exchanged passes with Kevin De Bruyne.
MATCH STATS – Manchester City 4, Southampton 0
Man City: Ederson, Cancelo (Gomez 70), Dias, Akanji, Ake, Rodri, Bernardo Silva (Lewis 78), De Bruyne (C) (Alvarez 70), Mahrez (Palmer 70), Foden (Grealish 58), Haaland
Man City Subs not used: Ortega, Gundogan, Laporte, Wilson-Esbrand
Goals: Cancelo 20; Foden 32; Mahrez 49; Haaland 65
Southampton: Bazunu, Walker-Peters (Larios 79), Salisu, Bella-Kotchap, Perraud, S Armstrong (Djenepo 66), Ward-Prowse, Diallo, Aribo (Mara 79), A Armstrong (Elyounoussi 66), Adams
Southampton Subs not used: McCarthy, Maitland-Niles, Lyanco, Caleta-Car, Walcott
Booked: Walker-Peters
Referee: Andrew Madley