On-song City too strong for Saints

premier-league Etihad Stadium | Sat 08 Oct 3PM | Attendance: 53,365
Match Report post Highlights

MCI vs SOU
Match Centre

MCI vs SOU As It Happened

Key moments so far

  • Cancelo, Foden, Mahrez and Haaland all find the back of the net for City
  • Man City go top of the Premier League table, Saints 16th
  • Four changes to Saints' starting XI as Salisu, Perraud, Diallo and Adam Armstrong came in
  • HALF TIME: Man City 2-0 Saints
Photo by Matt Watson

FULL TIME: Man City 4-0 Saints

A disappointing defeat on the road to the reigning Premier League champions. An early goal from Cancelo was all it took for Man City to find their stride and secure all three points at the Etihad. Plenty to work on for Saints who next face West Ham at St Mary's next Sunday. 

90’

Palmer denied by Bazunu

Despite the scoreline, Bazunu has been the best player on the pitch for Southampton in Manchester. Another fantastic save as he denies City youngster Palmer from close range at the near post. 

87’

Saints search for a consolation

Finally some time on the ball for Saints, who see Larios launch an attack from the right flank. Elyounoussi eventually crosses a ball into the area but it's adequately cleared by City. 

84’

Saints take first corner of the game

A rare slip up from City sees Saints awarded their first corner of the encounter, Dias gets a head to Ward-Prowse's delivery but can only clear as far as Perraud. The Frenchman has three attempts at firing goalwards, the first two blocked by a sea of blue shirts with the third then bouncing wide of the post. 

78’

Southampton substitution: Sékou Mara replaces Joe Aribo

78’

Southampton substitution: Juan Larios replaces Kyle Walker-Peters

Another change from Hasenhüttl as the former City player enters the field of play. 

78’

Manchester City substitution: Rico Lewis replaces Bernardo Mota Veiga de Carvalho e Silva

The 17-year-old comes on at the Etihad. 

77’

Bazunu makes fingertip save 

Another impressive save from Bazunu who outstretches a hand to send a powerful strike from Grealish over the top of the crossbar. 

70’

Manchester City substitution: Sergio Gómez replaces João Pedro Cavaco Cancelo

69’

Manchester City substitution: Cole Palmer replaces Riyad Mahrez

69’

Manchester City substitution: Julián Álvarez replaces Kevin De Bruyne

A triple change for Guardiola. 

67’

Southampton substitution: Mohamed Elyounoussi replaces Adam Armstrong

The second substitution for Saints as Elyounoussi replaces Adam Armstrong. 

67’

Southampton substitution: Moussa Djenepo replaces Stuart Armstrong

The first of two substitutions from Hasenhüttl. 

Haaland gets his goal

It's been coming but Haaland finally gets on the scoresheet. A lovely cut back from Cancelo to Haaland, who executes the finish perfectly to make it four for City. 

64’

GOAL

Erling Haaland (64’) | 4 0

62’

Bazunu denies Haaland

Excellent from Bazunu who leaves his line and gets low to deny a charging Haaland from adding to City's tally. 

58’

Manchester City substitution: Jack Grealish replaces Phil Foden

A first change from Guardiola. 

57’

Salisu blocks Haaland

Another fine bit of play initiated by De Bruyne who cuts the ball across goal into Haaland in close range but Salisu does well to get his body in front of Haaland to deny the Norwegian from making contact. 

51’

Haaland fails to find the target

Foden continues his slick work down the left flank as he picks out Haaland just inside the area, his first time shot is low and bounces wide of the post. 

Mahrez makes it three

Rodri finds Mahrez at the far post, with the Algerian firing the ball into the back of the net. 

48’

GOAL

Riyad Mahrez (48’) | 3 0

48’

Silva skims it wide

De Bruyne sees his cross deflected out by the Saints defence but it only goes as far as Silva on the edge of the penalty area, it's a weak connection which sees his effort bounce wide of the post. 

Photo by Matt Watson

Back underway 👊

A huge performance needed for the remaining 45 minutes. 

Photo by Matt Watson

HALF TIME: Manchester City 2-0 Saints

A difficult first half at Etihad Stadium as Southampton trail Manchester City in the Premier League. With City the more dominant of the two sides, a huge shift will be needed from Saints in the second half to get something out of their trip to Manchester. Come on you Saints!

45+1’

Armstrong fires over 

The first attempt on goal for Southampton with Adam Armstrong finding Stuart Armstrong who releases a powerful shot from the edge of the box, unable to keep it down it fires over for a City goal kick. 

44’

City dominant 

The lack of attempts on goal for Saints is counteracted by the action at the other end of the pitch, with Foden the latest to fire over for the hosts.

38’

Salisu blocks Haaland

The ball falls fortuitously for Haaland inside the area but Salisu does enough to get in the way and knock the ball back to Bazunu. 

Foden makes it two

Another goal at the Etihad, this time for Foden who lifts the ball over Bazunu and into the back of the net. 

31’

GOAL

Phil Foden (31’) | 2 0

30’

Adams makes vital block

A wonderful looping ball from De Bruyne falls for Haaland who looks to release towards goal but a fantastic move from Adams, who throws himself in the way to block the 22-year-olds effort. 

28’

City dominating 

There's no doubt who is on top at the Etihad as Guadiola's side continue to launch attacks through Cancelo and Foden. A huge challenge on the horizon for Saints. 

21’

Yellow Card for Kyle Walker-Peters (Southampton)

Walker-Peters finds himself in the book for a challenge on Foden in the build up to the opening goal. 

Cancelo opens the scoring

A fine individual goal from Cancelo gives the hosts the lead. 

19’

GOAL

João Pedro Cavaco Cancelo (19’) | 1 0

Photo by Matt Watson

Walker-Peters intercepts

The onslaught of Manchester City attacks keep coming with Cancelo looking to cut the ball across goal before Walker-Peters makes a vital interception to send the ball behind for a corner. 

15’

Haaland hits the inside of the post 

A wonderful ball from the left-flank from Foden who makes no error in finding Haaland on the charge, just one touch from the Norwegian who fires towards the target but he sees it bounce off the inside of the post and out for a goal kick. A stroke of luck for the visitors. 

13’

Mahrez fires over

The attacking threats keep on coming from the hosts, who launch forward through Cancelo who find Mahrez in acres of space in the area. 

10’

Bazunu comes out to deny Haaland

Haaland is given an opportunity as De Bruyne plays the ball in but Bazunu does well to leave his line and retrieve for Saints.

8’

De Bruyne pounces 

A slip up from Diallo allows De Bruyne the time to pick up the ball, he lays it into Mahrez but Saints do well to intercept and clear the threat. 

4’

Bella-Kotchap receiving treatment

There's an extended break in play as the German international stays down. He's back on his feet now - let's hope he's fit to continue.

3’

Great save from Bazunu!

Mahrez receives a cross from the left, takes it down and thunders a half-volley goalwards, but Bazunu flies through the air and makes a spectacular save, high to his right.

2’

We're under way! 

The hosts kick off and we're into the action...

Photo by Matt Watson

Your key man 🧱

Thanks for voting, Saints fans! Armel Bella-Kotchap was the winner of today's key man poll. We're ready to go at the Etihad!

15.00
VOTE NOW
POLL: Who will be Saints' key man today?

POLL: Who will be Saints' key man today?

The results so far:

  • Gavin Bazunu
    21%
  • Armel Bella-Kotchap
    33%
  • Mohammed Salisu
    14%
  • James Ward-Prowse
    16%
  • Joe Aribo
    11%
  • Ché Adams
    5%

Manchester memories 💭

Who remembers Saints' first visit to the Etihad, way back in 2004? It was one to savour!

14.40

Last time at the Etihad 🤝

Saints were unlucky not to take maximum points in last season's trip to Man City, which featured a controversy penalty incident...

14.32

The boys are in the building 📸

Our club photographer was on hand to capture the Saints players arriving at the Etihad Stadium a short time ago...

14.09

Salisu returns 👊

Your most popular selection in our latest poll is restored to the Saints starting line-up today as one of four changes. Mohammed Salisu, who picked up 32% of the vote, is joined by Romain Perraud, Ibrahima Diallo and Adam Armstrong. Duje Ćaleta-Car, Juan Larios, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Sékou Mara drop to the bench, while there is no place in the matchday squad for ex-City winger Samuel Edozie.

14.06

Manchester City team confirmed

Starting XI: Ederson, Cancelo, Dias, Akanji, Aké, Rodri, Mahrez, Bernardo, De Bruyne, Foden, Haaland.

Subs: Ortega, Laporte, Wilson-Esbrand, Lewis, Gómez, Gündogan, Grealish, Palmer, Álvarez.

14.02

Southampton team confirmed 😇

Starting XI: Bazunu, Walker-Peters, Bella-Kotchap, Salisu, Perraud, Ward-Prowse (c), Diallo, S. Armstrong, Aribo, A. Armstrong, Adams.

Subs: McCarthy, Lyanco, Ćaleta-Car, Larios, Maitland-Niles, Djenepo, Elyounoussi, Walcott, Mara.

14.00

Remember this beauty? 🚀

Well done to all the Saints fans who answered our pre-match trivia question correctly! It was Kyle Walker-Peters who was on target in last season's 1-1 draw with City at St Mary's back in January.

13.49
VOTE NOW
POLL: Who would you like to see come into the starting XI today?

POLL: Who would you like to see come into the starting XI today?

The results so far:

  • Mohammed Salisu
    32%
  • Romain Perraud
    22%
  • Moussa Djenepo
    5%
  • Mohamed Elyounoussi
    8%
  • Samuel Edozie
    16%
  • Adam Armstrong
    16%

1️⃣ hour until team news...

Who would you like to see come into the Saints starting line-up today? Vote in our poll before we announce both starting line-ups at 1pm BST.

12.59

No Room For Racism ⛔️

With Premier League teams to take the knee this afternoon in support of the No Room For Racism campaign, Saints skipper James Ward-Prowse explains the impact of the gesture on younger generations.

12.55

if you look only at erling haaland, you will not win this game. there are other players to concentrate on. i think we have shown in the past against the strong sides we are competitive. this year they are even stronger, but it is a good challenge to show if we are strong enough to take something there."

ralph hasenhüttl
on facing in-form striker erling haaland
12.40

Get clued up 🤓

Check out our in-depth Match Preview for all the key facts, stats and team news ahead of this afternoon's encounter.

12.35
VOTE NOW
TRIVIA: Which Saints player was on target against Manchester City last season?

TRIVIA: Which Saints player was on target against Manchester City last season?

The results so far:

  • Ché Adams
    14%
  • Adam Armstrong
    5%
  • Armando Broja
    5%
  • Mohamed Elyounoussi
    5%
  • Kyle Walker-Peters
    48%
  • James Ward-Prowse
    24%

we know what team we are facing, but we also know that we drew twice against them last season, and we were one of only a few teams to take a point in the etihad."

ralph hasenhüttl
southampton manager
11.54

Hear from the boss 🎙

Check out what Saints manager Ralph Hasenhüttl had to say when he spoke to the media at this week's pre-match press conference.

11.46

Back on the road 🛣

Southampton face arguably the toughest test in world football today: a trip to the Etihad Stadium to take on free-scoring Manchester City. But Saints have fared well against the reigning champions in the recent past, including two draws in the Premier League last season. Stay with us for all the build-up, team news, live commentary and regular match updates!

11.44

MCI vs SOU Line Ups

Manchester City

31
Ederson (GK)
7
João Cancelo goal
replace Sergio Gómez (70′)
6
Nathan Aké
3
Rúben Dias
25
Manuel Akanji
20
Bernardo Silva
replace Rico Lewis (78′)
47
Phil Foden goal
replace Jack Grealish (58′)
16
Rodri
17
Kevin De Bruyne (C)
replace Julián Álvarez (70′)
26
Riyad Mahrez goal
replace Cole Palmer (70′)
9
Erling Haaland goal
14
Aymeric Laporte
80
Cole Palmer
21
Sergio Gómez
8
Ilkay Gündogan
97
Josh Wilson-Esbrand
19
Julián Álvarez
18
Stefan Ortega
82
Rico Lewis
10
Jack Grealish

Southampton

31
Gavin Bazunu (GK)
15
Romain Perraud
22
Mohammed Salisu
37
Armel Bella-Kotchap
2
Kyle Walker-Peters yellow card
replace Juan Larios (79′)
27
Ibrahima Diallo
17
Stuart Armstrong
replace Moussa Djenepo (66′)
8
James Ward-Prowse (C)
7
Joe Aribo
replace Sékou Mara (79′)
9
Adam Armstrong
replace Mohamed Elyounoussi (66′)
10
Che Adams
4
Lyanco
19
Moussa Djenepo
32
Theo Walcott
1
Alex McCarthy
18
Sékou Mara
24
Mohamed Elyounoussi
28
Juan Larios
3
Ainsley Maitland-Niles
6
Duje Caleta-Car

MCI vs SOU Match Stats

Manchester City

Head to Head Stats

Southampton
  • Possession (%)
    65
    comparison angle
    35
  • Shots
    21
    comparison angle
    5
  • Shots on target
    8
    comparison angle
    0
  • Corners
    9
    comparison angle
    1
  • Passes Complete
    666
    comparison angle
    317

Top Saints Player Stats

chances created
Chances Created
1
James Ward-Prowse
James Ward-Prowse
passes completed
Passes Completed
46
Mohammed Salisu
Mohammed Salisu
tackles
Tackles
5
Mohammed Salisu
Mohammed Salisu
clearances
Clearances
7
Mohammed Salisu
Mohammed Salisu
saves
Saves
4
Gavin Bazunu
Gavin Bazunu