City pick up a comfortable win, crushing Southampton 4:0.
Regarding Wednesday’s Champions League match against Copenhagen, Manchester City head coach Josep Guardiola inserts five men into the starting line-up: Nathan Ake, Manuel Akanji, Rodri, Kevin de Bruyne and Phil Foden.
Romain Perraud, Mohammed Salisu, Ibrahima Diallo and Adam Armstrong return to the Saints starting line-up.
City immediately unleash a flurry of attacks and nearly open the scoring in the 14th minute when Erling Haslland stricks the crossbar.
In the 20th minute, though, the score is opened. Joao Cancelo bursts into the penalty area on the left and stricks a low shot into the far corner of the goal to make it 1-0.
The hosts continue to dictate the game and the second goal comes in quick succession. On 32 minute, Kevin de Bruyne heads a pass from the penalty area to Foden on the left edge of the area, who tucks the ball in front of the keeper to make it 2-0.
The second half begins with Rodri gently tucking the ball into the far corner of the net before Riyad Mahrez’s left-footed shot bounces off the turf to make it 3-0.
If anyone calms down for the Cityzens, it isn’t Haalland. After a number of missed chances, Erling manages to score when he heads a diagonal cross back from the centre of the box to make it 4-0.
From there, City do not show the same zeal, although they continue to attack. Southampton gain some breathing space in the closing stages, but do not do enough to score a goal.
City get another comfortable win. Southampton seem to be able to contain Haalland, but time and again they lose his partners. And when the scoreline becomes a big one, Ehrling himself scores, completely undermining the Saints strategy.
