MAN CITY 6, SOUTHAMPTON 1
Mark Hughes had another miserable return to the Etihad as Manchester City hit Southampton for six.
That’s 13 goals Hughes has conceded on his last two visits after last season’s 7-2 loss while managing Stoke City.
City were in a different league to Saints and you had a feeling they could score at will as they extended their unbeaten record to 17 Premier League games.
And their goalscoring exploits are such this was the 12th time City have scored five or more goals in a league game since Pep Guardiola became manager. The next best team has done it on six occasions.
Raheem Sterling, who has verbally agreed a new five-year contract, scored twice and also provided two assists.
Sergio Aguero scored his 150th Premier League goal, David Silva and Leroy Sane also found the net while Wesley Hoedt found his own net.
Guardiola, while happy with City’s victory, believes there is scope to improve.
He said: “ I was satisfied with the performance, but still have a feeling we can improve in many situations to be a more stable team.
“We lost a lot of simple ball and if you do that in Champions League games, you will be out.
“You always felt Southampton could score more goals, but we could have scored eight or nine. They could have scored two or three.”
Guardiola praised Sterling saying he has the ability to be “whatever he wants”.
When asked if he is one of the best players in the world, Guardiola added it is too early to say at he is still young, but he is a top player.
He said: “Raheem is in incredible form. He is sharp, fast, fighting, ambitious and decisive.
“He can play both sides, in the middle or behind the lines. He gave an incredible performance with and without the ball.
“I think he can still improve as he lost a lot of simple balls, but his quality in one on ones and pace was incredible.”
City made nine changes from the Carabao Cup game against Fulham on Thursday, John Stones and Sane the two survivors.
Saints had former City keeper Angus Gunn on their bench as back up to Alex McCarthy.
It took City less than six minutes to make the breakthrough against struggling Saints.
A flowing move ended with Sane firing in a low cross that defender Hoedt, sliding in to clear, diverted the ball into the roof of his own net from a couple of yards.
And it was soon 2-0 as Aguero found the net with his 150th Premier League goal for City.
Sterling provided the assist with a mesmeric run and low cross that was swept home by Aguero who became the ninth player to reach that goalscoring milestone and the second quickest to Alan Shearer in the number of games needed – 217.
Aguero was denied a second goal by a super save by McCarthy after being put through by Bernardo Silva.
It was 3-0 inside 18 minutes when Bernardo Silva’s cross flicked off the head of Jack Stephens to David Silva who lashed a shot into the roof of the net from eight yards.
Saints belatedly had something to cheer on the half hour when they were awarded a penalty.
Ings charged clear on the left and was brought down just inside the box by keeper Ederson.
The former Burnley striker picked himself up to send the Brazilian keeper the wrong way from the spot as City failed to keep seven successive Premier League clean sheets for the first time.
City added a fourth goal in stoppage time with Aguero this time providing the assist as he won possession near the by-line and cut it back for Sterling to slot home a low shot from eight yards.
The start to the second period resembled a training game for City as their play lacked intensity, hardly surprising as they were 4-1 ahead.
Saints came close to a second when a header from Ings following a corner forced a fine save from Ederson low to his right.
Then out of nowhere, Sane almost scored a fifth goal for City as his super strike from the right edge of the box hit the far upright.
The fifth goal came midway through the half following a delightful exchange of passes involving Sterling and Aguero who provided the assist for Sterling to score with a low, angled shot, his sixth of the season.
In prompted an immediate change as Stones was replaced by Vincent Kompany and not long after David Silva made way for Phil Foden and Fernandinho for Fabian Delph.
Saints nearly found the net again when Shane Long fired into the side netting from a cross by substitute Michael Obafemi.
A sixth goal came just as the three additional minutes was being signalled as Sane found the net to cap a hugely impressive display.
Foden and Sterling combined to set up the winger who drilled home a low shot from the edge of the box.