By Betsefy
Manchester City have moved to the top of the Premier League table courtesy of a 4-0 victory over Southampton at the Etihad Stadium.
Ralph Hasenhuttl‘s future as Southampton head coach has been called into question in recent days, and the 55-year-old could not prevent his side from suffering a comfortable defeat to the reigning champions.
Man City have now won their last six matches in all competitions, including their last three in the league, with Saturday’s success moving them above Arsenal to the top of the division, while Southampton are in 16th spot, boasting just seven points from their opening nine matches.
The visitors could have been three goals ahead inside the first 14 minutes, with Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez and Erling Braut Haaland all coming close, with the latter hitting the post.
The Citizens were finally ahead in the 20th minute, though, when Joao Cancelo, who was a constant threat before his withdrawal in the 70th minute, picked out the bottom-right corner with a low strike.
There was no response from Southampton, and the home side doubled their lead in the 32nd minute when Foden expertly lifted the ball over the onrushing Gavin Bazunu after smart work from Kevin De Bruyne.
Stuart Armstrong had the away side’s best chance of the first period in the final exchanges, but the midfielder fired over the crossbar on the half-volley.
The Saints had the match well and truly taken away from them in the 49th minute, though, with Mahrez picking out the bottom corner with a brilliant volley after an excellent cross from Rodri.
Haaland should have made it 4-0 just before the hour, but the Norway international somehow failed to make contact on a dangerous cross from De Bruyne, and it appeared that it might not be his day.
The striker was not to be denied, though, and he scored his 15th Premier League goal of the campaign in the 65th minute, firing a low Cancelo cross into the back of the net from inside the box.
Man City will be back in second if Arsenal beat Liverpool on Sunday, but the victory has left the Citizens 13 points ahead of Jurgen Klopp‘s side, albeit with the Reds having two games in hand.
Southampton had chances to score late on, but Romain Perraud missed the best of them, with the defender firing wide of the post after seeing his initial strike blocked by Ruben Dias.
