Saints beaten by City

A header from Vincent Kompany put the visitors ahead early in the second half, before two goals in three minutes from Leroy Sané and Sergio Agüero confirmed victory for Pep Guardiola's men. 

Claude Puel made two changes to his side for the Premier League tie, as both Manolo Gabbiadini and captain Stevis Davis returned from injury.

It was City that created the first chance of the evening. Gaël Clichy’s deep cross found Agüero in space at the back post, but the Argentine was unable to make clean contact with the ball.

At other end Saints soon fashioned a similar chance. Gabbiadini cut back from the left flank byline but Dušan Tadić rifled over from the edge of the penalty area.

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg then received the first booking of the evening, as he was penalised for a late tackle on David Silva.

Cédric had a low goal-bound drive blocked moments later after Claudio Bravo’s half-cleared punch found the Portuguese in space on the right of the penalty area.

City soon responded and created the best chance of the half. Agüero chipped a teasing ball towards the back post to find Silva in plenty of space, but the Spaniard lashed his effort into the side netting.

The final action of the half saw Saints pick up another card, as Cédric made his way into referee Neil Swarbrick’s book following a foul on Fernandinho.

James Ward-Prowse got the second-half action underway as his early free-kick whizzed past Bravo’s near post, following a foul on Davis.

Forster then had to be on his toes as he dived to his right to tip a rasping effort from Jesus Navas over the crossbar.

City’s opener then followed from the resulting corner. Vincent Kompany rose highest in the penalty and nodded past Forster to head into an empty net.

Puel responded immediately with a double substitution, introducing Shane Long and Sofiane Boufal in favour of Ward-Prowse and Gabbiadini.

On 72 minutes Saints almost found a way back into the match. Tadić’s in-swinging cross from the left found Maya Yoshida at the back post, but he headed straight at Bravo in the City goal.

Five minutes later City doubled their advantage. A swift counter saw Kevin De Bruyne break free from the halfway line and unselfishly square for Sané who slotted under Forster from close range.

Agüero then confirmed victory for the visitors on the 80-minute mark as he headed in De Bruyne's chipped cross at the back post to make it 3-0.

Saints continued to push right until the end at St Mary's, but were unable to break down City who cruised their way towards all three points.

Head to Head Stats

• Possession (%)
  41

  59
• Shots
  8

  18
• Shots on target
  1

  5
• Corners
  4

  8
• Passes Complete
  344

  547