Manchester City recorded back-to-back wins in the Premier League as they comfortably beat Southampton 3-0 at St Mary’s Stadium to strengthen their hold on the top four.
Before the game, City resoundingly beat Hull City 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium to consolidate their position in the top four. Southampton are in a battle with West Bromwich Albion for a top eight finish, with the Saints beating the Baggies 1-0 at the Hawthorns last time out.
The first half of the game was lacklustre and dull from both sides, with City controlling the ball with surprising ease for the majority of the half. The big talking point was when Leroy Sane was denied a penalty appeal after Fraser Forster looked to have fouled the German winger. Replays showed that Forster got the slightest of touches on the ball before Sane was brought down.
The second half brought a big difference in team performance with the Citizens dispatching Southampton with three well-worked goals. The first goal came through a David Silva corner, which found the head of Vincent Kompany to give City the lead.
The second goal came through a great counter-attacking move started by Kevin De Bruyne, who assisted Leroy Sane for his ninth goal of the season. The third goal came through De Bruyne yet again, whose sharp cross found Sergio Aguero to end the game as a contest.
Here are our player ratings from the game.
Claudio Bravo - 6
Bravo didn’t have much to deal with throughout, and was protected well by Kompany and Otamendi.
The reason why he gets a six was for his dodgy punches and clearances from crosses, which on another day could have been fatal.
Jesus Navas - 7
Navas was clearly targeted by Southampton as the weakest link in the defence, but he put in a performance full of determination, and was resolute against Saints’ attacking players.
His sizzling shot led to Kompany’s opening goal in the second half and he was influential in Aguero’s goal.
Vincent Kompany - 9
Kompany rolled back the years with his hunger and willpower, which helped him score the first goal of the game. His physicality and commanding presence was crucial in keeping out Southampton’s attacking threat.
A man of the match performance from a man who has gone through a frustrating couple of years.
Nicolas Otamendi - 8
Having Kompany alongside him, Otamendi looked more assured and confident at the back. He won every challenge given to him, showed willingness to head the ball when possible and made a number of key blocks. A good contender for man of the match.
Gael Clichy - 7
Clichy performed well in this game, offering City support going forward without compromising his team-mates defensively.
Fernandinho - 7
Wasn’t as influential as he usually is, but added some security in front of the back four alongside Yaya Toure. An efficient display from the Brazilian.
Kevin De Bruyne - 8
Despite a quiet first half, like the rest of his team-mates, Kevin stepped up in the second half and provided two assists for the latter two goals. A better performance from the pragmatic Belgian.
Yaya Toure - 7
Yaya was quietly effective, providing key passes for the majority of City’s counter-attacks in the second half. His presence in the midfield offered more solidity in front of the defence.
David Silva - 7
It wasn’t Silva’s greatest performance in a City shirt, as he struggled to put his mark on the game in the first half. In the second half, he stepped up by providing an assist for Kompany and being the catalyst in the counter-attack leading to Sane’s goal.
Leroy Sane - 8
Apart from a penalty appeal in the first half, Sane was marked well by the Southampton defence. In the second half, he caused all kinds of problems and was able to finish off a swift, counter-attacking move for his ninth goal of the season.
Sergio Aguero - 7
Aguero scored his 11th goal in 11 games after a good header from a De Bruyne cross. The way he dragged the Southampton defence out of position was influential in City’s dominance of the game. This game epitomised his development under Guardiola.
Substitutions
Pablo Zabaleta (for Silva 81): no time to mark
Raheem Sterling (for Sane 86): no time to mark
Kelechi Iheanacho (for Aguero 88): no time to mark