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Manchester City thrashes Southampton at Saint Mary’s 4-1 as they keep up with the title chase and put pressure on league leaders Arsenal.
Erling Haaland who missed the game against Liverpool was included in the starting lineup and helped his team with two goals as they defeated Southampton 4-1 and reduce the points on the league table to five points with a game in hand.
How it happened
Pep Guardiola made just one change to his team that travelled to Southampton as Erling Haaland returned to the starting lineup after missing the game against Liverpool due to a groin injury that ruled him out.
Manchester City started the game brightly but Southampton got the first chance of the game in the 15th minute as Manchester City played a short corner which was gifted to Kamaldeen Sulemana. The Southampton player charged away with only Nathan Ake running back to try and prevent him from running at goal. Sulemana gets into the box but an awful touch takes the ball too close to Ederson as he claims the ball.
The game went on till the 45th minute before Manchester City took the lead. The Saints failed to clear their lines as Jack Grealish passed the ball to De Bruyne who spotted Erling Haaland's run and played a perfect cross for the striker to head in from close range.
Changes were made in the 56th minute of the second-half as Guardiola replaced Bernardo Silva with Riyad Marhrez and Kyle Walker replacing John Stones. Manchester City continued piling more pressure on the Saints back line which later paid off in the 58th minute as Jack Grealish appeared to beat the offside trap as he was sent in on goal. His first shot was denied but he was quick on the rebound to poke it in. The goal was reviewed by VAR which shows it was clearly onside and the goal stood.
Manchester City went on to score another in the 68th minute by Haaland with a perfectly timed overhead kick. Sekou Mara, a substitute who had only been on the field for three minutes, scored Southampton's second goal, thanks to some excellent work by fellow substitute Moussa Djenepo.
City later went on to score the fourth goal from the penalty spot after Kelvin De Bruyne was brought down by Walker-Peters. Julian Alvarez who came off the bench to replace Haaland slotted home the penalty to make it four for Manchester City on the night.
Guardiola's side will welcome Leicester City to the Etihad next weekend as they continue their chase for the league title.
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