Manchester City secured a 3-0 win at Southampton to leapfrog the Saints into second place in the Premier League table, six points behind leaders Chelsea.
Yaya Toure, Frank Lampard and Gael Clichy’s first City goal inflicted a first home defeat on the Ronald Koeman’s side, ahead of a difficult lineup of winter fixtures.
IvorianToure could have opened scoring as City pressed for an early goal, but his chip flew straight at goalkeeper Fraser Forster.
Steven Davis then collected a loose Dusan Tadic cross meant for Graziano Pelle but Joe Hart managed to parry his effort into the box and eventually cleared to safety.
Stevan Jovetic had the clear-cut chance of the first half after a defensive error by Nathaniel Clyne but sent his shot straight at Forster while the resultant scramble was put to bed by the home defence.
Yaya Toure Celebrates With Team-Mates After Doubling City’s Advantage. Image: Getty.
The ‘Citizens’ finally broke the deadlock after the break, when Fernandinho dispossessed Wanyama on the edge of Southampton goal area- and teed up Toure; the reigning African player of the year then precisely slotted past Forster via a slight deflection.
Jesus Navas almost doubled the visitors’ advantage when dragging a shot wide of the target.
Eliaquim Mangala got his marching order for a second yellow card, after hacking down Shane Long who was about to edge through on goal.
Lampard sealed victory with ten minutes left to the dead, ending a neat counter-attacking move with a cool finish. Defender Clichy blasted high into Forster’s net to seal a deserved three point.
by Greenstarnetwork admin..
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