Joao Cancelo impressed for Manchester City in the 4-0 win over Southampton. Credit: GettyJoao Cancelo impressed for Manchester City in the 4-0 win over Southampton. Credit: Getty
Joao Cancelo impressed for Manchester City in the 4-0 win over Southampton. Credit: Getty

Man City player ratings gallery: 10/10 showing for City star as another scores 9/10 in 4-0 win vs Southampton

Manchester City moved, at least temporarily, to the top of the Premier League table on Saturday.

Manchester City secured a comfortable win over Southampton on Saturday, beating Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side 4-0.

Joao Cancelo, Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez and Erling Haaland netted the all-important goals at the Etihad and handed the champions three points that sees them temporarily move top of the table.

City started well and Riyad Mahrez came close with two early efforts, while Erling Haaland hit the post with a first-time finish with his right when he should perhaps have advanced and slotted it in with his left.

But on 20 minutes the hosts took the lead as Cancelo took advantage of the space vacated by Kyle Walker-Peters down Southampton’s right. The full-back fooled James Ward-Prowse with a dummy at the edge of the box and then powered in a strike with his left foot.

The lead was doubled not long after the half-hour mark as Kevin De Bruyne slipped the ball to Foden at the edge of the box. The England international drove forward and then subtly chipped the ball over Gavin Bazunu and into the back of the Southampton net.

After the break, City made it three with Riyad Mahrez volleying home at the back post following a diagonal ball from Rodri. Mahrez cushioned his shot into the ground and it bounced up and over Bazunu’s outstretched arm.

Haaland had been quiet for his standards up until that point, but he got his name on the scoresheet after 65 minutes when he met Cancelo’s ball into the box and placed it with a first-time finish into the goal.

City were in cruise control from then on and were given little to worry about by Southampton. Jack Grealish and Phil Foden had shots saved by Bazunu late on, while Sergio Gomez had an effort that went wide in the latter stages.

Here’s how we rated the players…