PREM: Manchester City 6-1 Southampton

Raheem Sterling scores twice in emphatic win

Manchester City cruised back to the top of the Premier League after thrashing Southampton 6-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The victory was built on three goals in the opening 18 minutes as Wesley Hoedt's own goal (6) was followed by Sergio Aguero's 150th Premier League goal (12) and David Silva's half-volley (18).

Danny Ings' 30th-minute penalty gave Southampton temporary respite, but Raheem Sterling scored in first-half injury-time to restore City's three-goal advantage.

 

Southampton defender Hoedt inadvertently started a flurry of first-half goals when he steered Sane's low cross into his own net from two yards with Sterling lurking in an offside position.

 

Six minutes later, Aguero secured his landmark 150th league goal for City when he tapped in Sterling's low delivery from close range after good work from Bernardo Silva.

City skipper David Silva scored the third in the 18th minute when Sterling's floated cross was half-cleared by the head of Jack Stephens and the Spaniard lashed in a half-volley.

 

Southampton had not scored in their previous five Premier League games, but ended that run when John Stones was caught out by Ings and Ederson brought him down just inside the area. The striker coolly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way with his penalty.

But Sterling scored City's fourth with a low shot in the second minute of first-half added time when Cedric Soares tried to see the ball out of play and Aguero won the ball back to cross for his team-mate to score.

Southampton forwards Ings and Shane Long had chances after the break, but Sane hit the post with a fierce effort before Sterling scored the fifth on 67 minutes, receiving the ball from Aguero and shooting low across Alex McCarthy.

Sane completed the rout in injury-time when Sterling found him on the edge of the area and he cut onto his left foot before shooting past McCarthy to move the champions top of the pile in style.