REPORT: Southampton succumb to 5-2 defeat at Manchester City

The Premier League leaders Manchester City ran rampant over Southampton, who slipped to a 5-2 defeat at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.

Southampton made a right start and controlled the pace of play, but a quick counter attack from City led to a Kevin De Bruyne tap-in goal in the 15th minute.

James Ward-Prowse took advantage of an error Aymeric Laporte, who gave away a penalty for a foul on Jannik Vestergaard, and the midfielder calmly made it 1-1 from the spot.

But Che Adams gifted Riyad Mahrez a chance on goal with a careless pass from inside his own half, which made it 2-1 to City.

Ilkay Gundogan doubled City’s lead on the stroke of half-time, with Saints having looked set to head into the break only down a goal.

Mahrez scored a spectacular goal from a bit of individual effort to give City a 4-1 lead, before Adams responded to draw Saints back within two.

But De Bryune made it a comprehensive scoreline, adding his second goal on the hour mark.

Saints made six changes to the side that beat Sheffield at the weekend, including resting Takumi Minamino and Kyle Walker-Peters.

Southampton has an upcoming run of fixtures that includes Brighton on Sunday, followed by Burnley, West Brom and Crystal Palace.

Manchester City (4-3-3): Ederson; Zinchenko (Mendy 81), Laporte, Dias, Walker; Gundogan, Fernandinho, De Bruyne (Aguero 72); Foden, Silva, Mahrez (Torres 61)

Unused subs: Steffen (GK) Sterling, Stones, Cancelo, Jesus, Rodri

Goals: De Bryune (15, 59), Mahrez (40, 55), Gundogan (45+3)

Bookings: Fernandinho (83)

Southampton (4-2-2): McCarthy; Salisu, Vestergaard, Bednarek, Bertrand; Djenepo (Tella 46), Stephens (Diallo 63), Ward-Prowse, Armstrong (Watts 72); Redmond, Adams

Unused subs: Forster (GK), Diallo, Minamino, Walker-Peters, N’Lundulu, Ferry, Ramsay

Goals: Ward-Prowse (25 PEN), Adams (56)

Bookings: None