Player Ratings: Manchester City 4-0 Southampton (Premier League)

Manchester City climbed to the top of the Premier League - for one night at least - with a resounding 4-0 win over Southampton at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Different goalscorers made it an easy afternoon for the blues, who made it six wins in a row in all competitions and lifted themselves above Arsenal in the standings, who play Liverpool on Sunday. 

Joao Cancelo had a terrific afternoon and it was the Portuguese international who opened the scoring, picking up the ball in midfield, driving with it right down the pitch and cutting inside to score a great goal on his left foot.

It was the exact same spot on the left of the Southampton box where Manchester City doubled their advantage, with Kevin de Bruyne playing Phil Foden in for a lovely dinked finish.

The action continued in the second period, with Riyad Mahrez scoring his first Premier League goal of the season having bagged his first in all competitions against Copenhagen on Wednesday night. The Algerian collected a pass from Rodri and then finished beyond former Manchester City goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu.

Finally, after what seemed an eternity compared to his previous goalscoring exploits, Erling Haaland got his name on the scoresheet, with Cancelo once again key as he delivered a fine cutback which the big Norwegian connected with, slipping it between Gavin Bazunu’s legs. 

Here are our ratings from Manchester City’s comprehensive victory against Southampton:

Starting XI

Ederson - 7

Luckily for Ederson, it was a reasonably sunny day in Manchester, because he had nothing to do except stand about for the majority of today’s match.

Manuel Akanji - 7

Asked to play out of position at right-back today, Akanji did a good job, defending well and breaking forward on occasion. 

Ruben Dias - 7

Back in the Premier League starting XI, the centre-back didn’t have a lot to do save for one or two blocks.

Nathan Ake - 8

The more active of the centre-backs, Ake made numerous good defensive contributions and passed well too.

Joao Cancelo - 9 (MOTM)

This guy is basically a winger. Cancelo was up and down the flank all game, opening the scoring fantastically and setting up a goal too.

Rodri - 7

Back from injury and back with a usual controlling performance.

Bernardo Silva - 7

Did his usual job of contributing hugely to the press and working well in tight spaces.

Kevin de Bruyne - 8

The Premier League’s leading assist provider added another to his tally with a nice pass through to Foden, and he was involved in the final goal too.

Riyad Mahrez - 7.5

Always an outlet on the right wing and grabbed the third goal.

Erling Haaland - 7.5

Not everything went his way (for once), but it seems that nothing can stop Haaland from getting at least one goal at the minute.

Phil Foden - 8.5

Will get an assist for his involvement in the opening goal, and got a nice one for himself not long after. He’s really hitting form now.

Substitutes

Jack Grealish - 6.5

Not quite the impactful performances that we’ve seen from Grealish lately, but he still carried the ball well a few times.

Sergio Gomez - 6.5

When he gets his first City goal, it’s going to be a belter. Showed off his outrageous technique again.

Cole Palmer - 7

Seemed determined to get a goal, but will have to settle for another highly impressive display of dribbling ability.

Julian Alvarez - 6.5

Pressed and harried with his usual vibrancy

Rico Lewis - 6.5

Did some decent work in all zones of the pitch.