Southampton 0-3 Manchester City: Five things we learned

Vincent Kompany celebrates at Southampton. Image via Getty

Manchester City ran out comfortable winners at St Mary’s as goals from Vincent Kompany, Leroy Sane and Sergio Aguero gave Pep Guardiola’s men a crucial three points in the race for the top four.

Kompany gives City huge boost

Vincent Kompany not only made a welcome return to the side but also got his name on the scoresheet, heading home David Silva’s cross for his first goal since August 2015. His emotional celebration was revealing after a nightmare season that has seen him make just five Premier League appearances. Alongside Nicolas Otamendi at the heart of the City defence he also brought solidity to a back line that has looked fragile all season. City will be heartened to have the Belgium international back and able to complete 90 minutes. Now, all they have to do is keep him fit.

Southampton fail to test Bravo

The rather embarrassing statistic that Claudio Bravo had let in all of the last seven shots he had faced has become common knowledge. Yet remarkably Southampton seemed reluctant to test a goalkeeper who, in possession of that kind of record must surely be low on confidence. Instead he enjoyed a very comfortable afternoon and will surely be boosted by picking up a rare clean sheet.

Aguero a conundrum for Man City

Sergio Aguero scored his 26^th goal for Manchester City this season meaning he has now scored 10 goals in his last 10 games. However, despite his amazing stats there’s still a definite sense that his career at the club may well be coming to an end. Speculation persists that Pep Guardiola wants to boost his attack by bringing in Alexis Sanchez this summer which would ramp up competition for places in an already star-studded cast. Gabriel Jesus is also due to return from injury before the end of the season and despite his incredible goal scoring record, Aguero could well be playing his last games for the club.

Man City looking good for top-four finish

This really was a must-win game for City and win it they did to give their top four hopes a huge boost. Guardiola’s side are now seven points clear of Manchester United and 10 clear of Arsenal, although both possesss two games in hand. Four of City’s last six games are at home, including a visit from Jose Mourinho’s men, meaning they should be confident of securing Champions League qualification for next season.

Sane is simply clinical

Leroy Sane scored his ninth goal of the season, finishing off a brilliant team move, to double City’s lead at St Mary’s. Quite incredibly those nine goals have come from just 16 shots on target in all competitions, which simply highlights what a clinical finisher the young German is. Four of Sane’s nine goals have come this year and at just 21, the youngster is only going to get better and better.

Southampton: Forster 6, Cedric 6, Stephens 7, Yoshida 6, Bertrand 6, Davis 6, Hojbjerg 6, Ward-Prowse 6 (Long 5 (Rodriguez 6)), Tadic 6, Redmond 5, Gabbiadini 4 (Boufal 6).

Subs: Clasie, Caceres, Martina, Hassen.

Man City: Bravo 6; Jesus Navas 7, Kompany 8, Otamendi 7, Clichy 7; Toure 7, Fernandinho 6, De Bruyne 7; Silva 7 (Zabaleta 6), Sane 8 (Sterling 6), Aguero 8 (Iheanacho 6).

Subs:  Fernando, Kolarov, Caballero, Garcia.

Referee: Neil Swarbrick