Manchester City 4-0 Southampton: 5 Hits and Flops as Pep Guardiola's men blow the Saints away with an attacking masterclass | Premier League 2022-23

Manchester City defeated Southampton 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday, October 8. The win sees them temporarily climb to the top of the league with 23 points after nine games.

City arrived for this game on the back five successive wins across all competitions, scoring a whopping 20 goals in the process. Known for his relentless style of play, Pep Guardiola has a team that can score goals out of nothing. They were heavy favorites prior to kick-off as the Spaniard fielded a full-strength lineup.

🔵 Today's City Team News 🔵

XI | Ederson, Cancelo, Akanji, Dias, Ake, Rodrigo, De Bruyne (C), Bernardo, Mahrez, Foden, Haaland

Subs | Ortega Moreno, Gundogan, Laporte, Grealish, Alvarez, Gomez, Palmer, Lewis, Wilson-Esbrand

#ManCity | @HaysWorldwide https://t.co/WPc2ejFbDK

Manchester City dominated the first half, keeping majority of possession and played most of their game in Southampton's half. Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva took total control of midfield as they created intricate passing combinations.

Ederson and his defenders were barely tested as the Saints failed to create any real openings to threaten City. Phil Foden and Joao Cancelo looked sharp as they dominated most of the hosts' attacking play. They both got on the scoresheet in the first period, giving Manchester City a comfortable 2-0 lead going into the break.

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🔵 2-0 😇 #ManCity https://t.co/xbMTCYzpqh

Manchester City wasted no time in increasing their lead after the restart as Riyad Mahrez scored a lovely volley in the 49th minute. Rodri played him through with a dinked pass that caught Southampton's defense off-guard. The goal gave City some breathing space, allowing Pep Guardiola to make some substitutions.

Erling Haaland then got on the scoresheet, having come very close in the first half after hitting the woodwork. Cancelo provided an assist for the goal from the left flank, playing it towards the Norwegian, who finished with a low shot to make it 4-0. Despite City's several changes, they were able to maintain their tempo of play and controlled the game well.

The below article takes a look at five hits and flops from the game:

#5. Hit - Erling Haaland

Prior to his goal, Haaland attempted four shots with two off target and the other two were blocked. He played the entire 90 minutes but only had 27 touches of the ball. Despite that, he scored with his first and only shot on target.

The goal takes his tally to 20 goals from 13 games across competitions, with 15 of them coming in the Premier League.

Erling Haaland has already scored 20 goals in all competitions for Man City.

TWENTY. https://t.co/CO23TQWZdF

#4. Flops - Southampton's attackers

It was expected that Southampton would see very little of the ball against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City. However, what they did with their limited possession was below par to say the least.

The Saints kept 34% possession of the ball throughout the game and attempted five shots in the process. One shot came in the first half while the rest were attempted in the second half, with none of them being on target. Ederson barely broke a sweat as he was not tested at all.

While Southampton's forwards have the quality, they lacked patience as they tried to rush things in possession.

#3. Hit - Phil Foden

Foden was the star for Manchester City in the first half as he ran riot around the Saints' defenders. He first provided an assist for Joao Cancelo's opener, laying the ball off to him as he cut inwards from the left flank. Foden then chipped goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu to score after 32 minutes as he made it 2-0 to City.

Foden also played four key passes, two accurate crosses and three accurate long balls, showing why Guardiola rates him so highly. He was the hosts' main attacking outlet until the 58th minute when he was subbed off.

#2. Hit - Pep Guardiola's squad rotation

Very few managers in world football come close to Pep Guardiola's micromanagement skills.

His gameplan today seemed clear - secure the result and then rotate the squad. His side did well to go into the break leading 2-0, and made it 4-0 after just over an hour of football. Manchester City were at their devastating best in attack as they showed no mercy. However, as soon as the fourth goal went in, Pep used all his substitutions, giving the younger players a chance to impress.

#1. Hit - Joao Cancelo

Joao Cancelo is one of the few players in the world who has the ability to win games from the left-back position. He put in a top-class performance, notching a goal and an assist in an overall outstanding display.

He scored Manchester City's opener after 20 minutes with a powerful shot with his weaker left foot, beating the goalkeeper with ease. He then provided a classy assist for Haaland in the second half.