Southampton offered Manchester City little reason for concern as Pep Guardiola’s side breezed to three points in the Premier League.
Erling Haaland continued his remarkable scoring run as Manchester City climbed above Arsenal at the Premier League summit after a commanding 4-0 victory over Southampton.
City soon eased into the ascendancy at the Etihad Stadium as Joao Cancelo and Manchester derby hat-trick hero Phil Foden struck in a first half where lukewarm Southampton offered little.
Riyad Mahrez stretched the advantage after the break before Haaland grabbed his 15th league goal, as much as Kevin De Bruyne did when he finished as City’s top scorer last term.
Pep Guardiola’s side moved two points clear of Arsenal, who play Liverpool on Sunday, with a ninth home win in a row, scoring at least three goals in each of those games.
Former City goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu parried a sizzling Mahrez half-volley, while Haaland hit the left post after Foden’s cross in a frantic start.
Cancelo broke the deadlock in the 20th minute when he curled past James Ward-Prowse before curling a left-footed strike past Bazunu, who then denied Foden on the half-hour mark.
However, Foden was unstoppable shortly after as the England international delicately slotted past the onrushing Bazun after De Bruyne’s pass.
Mahrez volleyed home from Rodri’s lofted cross shortly after half-time before City had a penalty appeal turned down for what they deemed Mohammed Salisa to have pulled down on Haaland.
Southampton were unable to keep Haaland at bay for much longer, their new talisman turning into the bottom left corner in the 65th minute after Cancelo was brought down.
What does it mean? Dominant City as Saints away woes continue
A 6-3 humbling of Manchester United and a 5-0 win in Europe over Copenhagen was backed up by City’s dominant display against Southampton, with Guardiola’s side showing no signs of letting up.
While a tougher task will follow next week at Anfield against Liverpool, City continue to sweep opponents at will as they seek a fifth top-flight crown in the last six seasons.
Meanwhile, Southampton’s away fixtures continue and boss Ralph Hasenhuttl is now under serious pressure. They have not kept a clean sheet in their last 19 Premier League away games – the longest current streak in the league and the worst in the competition.