City return to winning ways with emphatic victory over Southampton

Manchester City put their recent run of bad results behind them as they stormed to an emphatic 3-1 win over Southampton at St. Mary’s on Sunday afternoon.

Goals from the returning David Silva, Sergio Aguero and a James Ward-Prouse own goal were enough to give the Blues a much needed three points, to remain on the coat-tails of the impressive Liverpool.

City began with the confidence we have become so accustomed to with this team and looked like a side possessed right from the off as they knew nothing short of a win would make their title defence even more difficult than it has already become.

It was City who carved out the first real chance of the game and it probably should of seen the visitors take the lead after five minutes. Raheem Sterling found himself goal side of Stevens and he pulled the ball back to David Silva who tried to find the far corner of the goal but Alex McCarthy pulled out a superb long right arm to deny the Spaniard.

Against the run of play, Charlie Austin had a golden opportunity for the home side and he was unable to make it count, naturally 60 seconds later, it was City who would take the lead. Bernardo Silva played a lovely one-two down the right hand side with Riyad Mahrez, Bernardo then prodded a low cross towards David Silva who tucked it away to give City the early lead.

City were no beginning to dominant this game in massive proportions but just like each of their last two games they were pulled back despite owing the ball. Southampton came back into the game and levelled things up in the 37th minute when Zinchenko was caught dawdling on the ball in midfield. He was pressed hard and Pierre Emile Hojbjerg rifled a shot high past Ederson.

City didn’t let this stop them though and managed to seal the victory with two quick fire goals before half-time. Firstly remain Sterling drove a low cross that took a massive deflection off Ward-Prouse that was well and truly considered an own goal from the Englishman.

Sergio Aguero was then on hand to end his long run of away day goal droughts when he arrived onto the end of a super cross from Zinchenko to head home for his first goal since his return.

The Blues never really got out of third gear in the second half on the south coast with Sergio Aguero going the closest when he rattled the bar after 50 minutes. Riyad Mahrez and Sterling also went close but both efforts were saved by McCarthy.

Hojbjerg was then sent off late for Southampton when his horrible two footed lunge on Fernandinho seen him sent for an early shower.

Important victory for City as they stay in the hunt for the title. Now seven points behind leaders Liverpool, this win has set up what is sure to be a slobberknocker on Thursday night in Manchester.