Manchester City breezed past Southampton as Pep Guardiola’s men momentarily go to the top of the Premier League table.
Erling Haaland was on the scoresheet once more, as his goal wrapped up a comfortable day for Manchester City. The Norwegian scored his 20th goal in all competitions and his team’s fourth against Southampton, as Man City put Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men to the sword.
The hosts should have taken the lead well before they eventually did. Haaland was the recipient of a wonderful through ball, which he could only manage to hit the post. Soon enough, Manchester City were ahead after Joao Cancelo finished a wonderful move inside the box, lashing it into the far corner.
Phil Foden doubled the lead as he took control of a great ball from Kevin De Bruyne. City took this double advantage into the break, and Southampton were lucky not to concede more before the whistle blew.
Manchester City came into the second half and continued from where they left off in the first period. Another great move in the build-up and some good work from Cancelo resulted in Rodri setting up Riyad Mahrez. The Algerian winger used the textbook technique to finish the move and add a third to the scoresheet.
A satisfied @PepTeam after victory at the Etihad 💬
🔵 4-0 😇 #ManCity pic.twitter.com/ErfEYpvB8C
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 8, 2022
The day would not end without Haaland getting on the scoresheet as Cancelo turned provider. The Norwegian smashed home Manchester City’s fourth and effectively wrapped up the result. The win took Manchester City to the Premier League’s summit momentarily, as they will be hoping for Arsenal to drop points against Liverpool on Sunday.
Ederson: 6.5/10
Ederson was a spectator here as his defence barely let him get into action. The Brazilian’s distribution was on point, as the keeper had a near-perfect day on the pitch.
Manuel Akanji: 8/10
Akanji was Manchester City’s right-back and did a very good job there. Despite being targetted by Southampton attackers, the defender steadily grew into the game. He was more than just a spectator in the attacking third, contributing ably to proceedings.
Ruben Dias: 5.5/10
Dias was the perceived weak link in this Manchester City back four. The Portuguese defender was targeted time and again. The Saints’ attackers seemed to be getting the better of the centre-back, but he did not make any grave errors.
Nathan Ake: 6.5/10
Despite troubling situations, Ake was good on the ball from the heart of the Manchester City defence. The Dutchman was a good outlet at the back and kept things tight for Manchester City.
Joao Cancelo: 9/10
A tremendous outing for the full-back, who got on the scoresheet and provided the assist for the Haaland strike. Moreover, Cancelo was heavily involved in the third strike as the Portuguese capped off a fantastic display.
João Cancelo's game by numbers vs. Southampton:
69 passes
10 touches in opp. box
7 x possession won
7 duels won
6 crosses
6 take-ons attempted
3 take-ons completed
3 chances created
2 tackles made
2 fouls won
1 assist
1 shot
1 goalIncredible player. 🤤 pic.twitter.com/i8YmZDhSzi
— Squawka (@Squawka) October 8, 2022
Rodri: 8/10
Rodri was a welcome presence in this Manchester City side. The Spanish midfielder allowed his team total control of the ball and dictated play in the usual manner. The Spaniard chipped in with a brilliant assist for the Mahrez goal, laying a perfect ball for the Algerian to finish.
Kevin De Bruyne: 8/10
The Belgian maestro was at it again, as his assist for Foden took him past David Silva in the creator’s list. De Bruyne now has 94 Premier League assists, more than any other Manchester City player in history.
Kevin De Bruyne is now the all-time Premier League assist leader for Man City 🤝 pic.twitter.com/5ljeDp4ptc
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) October 8, 2022
Bernardo Silva: 7/10
Silva sat slightly deeper than he usually does. The Portuguese provided decent cover in midfield and was often found getting the ball recycled back into the final third.
Riyad Mahrez: 6.5/10
Mahrez needs to improve his game on the flank. Some of his sloppiness has been the reason for not starting enough games this season. He made amends with a well-taken goal from Rodri’s cross and should be looking to improve.
Phil Foden: 8/10
Foden worked incredibly well, particularly in the first half. There was a brilliant chance created for Haaland, which hit the bar. Foden then turned scorer as he converted the ball from De Bruyne.
Erling Haaland: 7/10
There is no stopping Haaland, as the Norwegian got on the scoresheet once more. It was also the seventh consecutive game where he scored. The striker converted Cancelo’s ball and proved worthy of all the hype around him.
10 – In five appearances this season, Erling Haaland has scored as many Premier League goals at the Etihad as the entire Manchester City squad during the 2006-07 campaign (10). Frightening. pic.twitter.com/D4EqigbTty
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 8, 2022
SUBSTITUTES
Jack Grealish: 5/10
A bright cameo from Grealish, came on when the game was already well beyond Southampton’s reach. He should have scored when sent clean through inside the box but skied his shot.
Cole Palmer: 6/10
Palmer got some valuable minutes under his belt as the game was more or less won.
Julian Alvarez: 5.5/10
Alvarez had a lively cameo after coming on, but he could have done his prospects some good with a goal.
Sergio Gomez: 6/10
Gomez seems like a hard-working player, as he showed with his cameo after replacing Cancelo.
Rico Lewis: 5/10
The youngster got some minutes under his belt in the last period of the game.
