Manchester City 3, Southampton 1
Nicolas Otamendi scored only his second goal in 72 games while Sergio Aguero scored a brace as Manchester City cruised into the quarter finals of the Carabao Cup.
Jack Stephens scored a late consolation goal for Southampton who began the healing process with their travelling fans after a record 9-0 home drubbing Leicester City last Friday.
Only Bernardo Silva and Gabriel Jesus retained their places in a much changed Manchester City side in which Tommy Doyle made his first senior appearance for the club once captained by his grandfather Mike Doyle having turned 18 only a few days ago.
City dominated and were cruising after going 2-0 up in the first half with Bernardo Silva’s cross finding Nicolas Otamendi for a close range header after a short corner routine between Doyle and Phil Foden with 20 minutes gone.
City doubled their lead in the 38th minute after quickly switching the ball from left to right with Kyle Walker crossing for Sergio Aguero to volley home from 7 yards.
Southampton had retained five players from their record 9-0 home drubbing by Leicester City last Friday and were completely toothless in attack.
Aguero had his second of the night after he reacted first to Riyad Mahrez’ deflected criss to volley home in the 56th minute effectively ending the game for the Saints.
Sofiane Boufal drew a cheer from the travelling fans in the 65th minute when his shot was tipped wide by Claudio Bravo who had been underused throughout.
Jack Stephens was also denied by Bravo after a corner from James Ward-Prowse as City dropped a gear with the game won.
The same combination finally gave the travelling fans something to cheer in the 75th minute after drifting away from his marker.
Stephens’ goal and an injury to Angelino deprived Ian Carlo Poveda-Ocampo and Adrian Bernabe the chance of a home debut for City – both were waiting on the sidelines to come on but were stood down after the Saints showed signs of life.
Bernabe finalled made his home City debut for Gabriel Jesus with 3 minutes to go and almost got on the end of a Bernardo Silva cross as Southampton defended deep to avoid losing the second half and were applauded off by their travelling fans after defying City late on.
PLAYER RATINGS – Manchester City 3, Southampton 1
Claudio Bravo: 7. Easy night of it until he was called into action to save from Sofiane Boufal and Jack Stephens.
Kyle Walker: 7. Old head in a young team. Stayed relatively deep, untidy when going forward until a quick break allowed the veteran to cross for Sergio Aguero.
Nicolas Otamendi: 7. Little to do so he scored the opener while relatively unmarked in the Southampton 6 yard box. Still diving in as a defensive measure though, but won the ball from Shane Long.
Eric Garcia: 7. More physically imposing than last season. Easy night against the Saints, well timed interceptions when required.
Angelino: 7. Couple of early crosses into the area to trouble Alex McCarthy. Not afraid of a shot, twice tested Alex McCarthy and looked the option that Benjamin Mendy should be on the left flank. Lost Jack Stephens for the Southampton goal and was injured late on.
Tommy Doyle: 7. Unfazed on his debut, confidently played in the Fernandinho role and not afraid to pass the ball under pressure. Set pieces weren’t always on point but he sniffed out trouble.
Phil Foden: 7. Buzzed around midfield creating little passes and testing McCarthy late in the first half. Couple of great crosses from the left as Southampton became more demoralised.
Bernardo Silva: 8. Revelled in a more central role but he went wider to cross for Nicolas Otamendi’s opener. Also tested MCarthy after a square ball from Angelino.
Riyad Mahrez: 7. Enjoyed the support he got from midfield. His deflected cross was pounced on by Sergio Aguero for his second of the night. Could have scored himself after a great backheel from Jesus but it was blocked.
Gabriel Jesus: 7. Worked hard to press the ball and create space. Some great improvisation with a backheel to set up Mahrez for a second half chance which was blocked.
Sergio Aguero: 8. A night for a goalmouth predator. Missed with a free kick then converted Kyle Walker’s cross from 7 yards out. Got his second when reacting first to Riyad Mahrez’ deflected cross to make it 243 goals from 350 appearances for Manchester City.
Joao Cancelo (for Kyle Walker, 65): 6. Went missing for Jack Stephens’ goal, switched to left back after Angelino got injured.
John Stones (for Angelino, 79): No time to mark.
Adrian Bernabe (for Gabriel Jesus, 87): Home debut for the youngster. No time to mark
GOALS – Manchester City 3, Southampton 1
Man City 1, Southampton 0: 20. Bernardo Silva cross from the left found Nicolas Otamendi and the Argentine headed home from 6 yards out
Man City 2, Southampton 0: 38. Kyle Walker’s cross was turned in by Sergio Aguero from 7 yards out as City quickly switched play from left to right.
Man City 3, Southampton 0: 56. Sergio Aguero, unmarked, volleyed in the loose ball from 5 yards after Riyad Mahrez’ cross looped up in the air after a deflection off Jan Bednarek
Man City 3 Southampton 1: 75. James Ward-Prowse corner converted by Jack Stephens after a mix-up in defence.
MATCH STATS – Manchester City 3, Southampton 1
Man City: Bravo, Walker (Cancelo 65), Otamendi, Garcia, Angelino (Stones 79), Doyle, Foden, Bernardo Silva, Mahrez, Jesus (Bernabe 87), Aguero
Man City Subs Not used: Carson, De Bruyne, David Silva, Poveda-Ocampo
Goals: Otamendi 20; Aguero 38, 56
Southampton: McCarthy, Valery, Stephens, Bednarek, Danso, Romeu (Vokins 90+1), Hojbjerg, Ward-Prowse, Armstrong, Boufal (Adams 68), Long (Redmond 68)
Southampton Subs Not used: Gunn, Yoshida, Vestergaard, Ings
Booked: Romeu 32
Goal: Stephens 75
Referee: Jonathan Moss