Manchester City

Man City player ratings vs Southampton: Bayern Munich beware! Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne are clicking back into gear

Tom Maston
Last updated
Comments (0)
Erling Haaland Manchester City 2022-23
Getty Images
The Premier League champions closed the gap on leaders Arsenal to five points with a dominant 4-1 win on the south coast

Manchester City warmed-up for their Champions League quarter-final meeting with Bayern Munich by cruising to a 4-1 win over the Premier League's bottom side Southampton as Erling Haaland marked his return to the line up with two goals.

Haaland missed last week's win over Liverpool, but showed few signs of rust against the Saints, netting either side of half-time as City closed the gap on leaders Arsenal back to five points.

Jack Grealish and Julian Alvarez were also on the scoresheet and Kevin De Bruyne brought up a century of Premier League assists in a virtuoso display for Pep Guardiola's side, whose only disappointment will have been their failure to keep a clean sheet after Sekou Mara netted for the home side.

🏆 TOP STORY: Reiss Nelson to face criminal trial

📣 HAVE YOUR SAY: Is the Women's World Cup the Lionesses' to lose?

🚨 MUST READ: Scott McTominay is a goal machine!

GOAL rates City's players from St. Mary's...

Editors' Picks

  1. Goalkeeper & Defence
    Getty Images

    Goalkeeper & Defence

    Ederson (6/10):

    Mostly a spectator, and had no chance with Mara's consolation goal.

    John Stones (6/10):

    Might as well be listed as a central midfielder given his positioning, and neat passing suggested he could one day play there permanently. Substituted early in the second half.

    Manuel Akanji (5/10):

    Struggled with the pace and trickery of Sulemana at times, though Stones' positioning did leave him rather exposed.

    Ruben Dias (7/10):

    Looks to be getting back to his best after finally earning back his place in Guardiola's preferred line up.

    Nathan Ake (7/10):

    Turning into an outstanding defender, regardless of which role he is asked to perform.

  2. Midfield
    Getty Images

    Midfield

    Rodri (6/10):

    Kept City ticking over in midfield to little fanfare.

    Kevin De Bruyne (9/10):

    Absolutely sensational. His 100th Premier League assist was sumptuous, and he played a major role in four City goals.

    Ilkay Gundogan (6/10):

    Busy in midfield again as City dominated possession.

  4. Attack
    Getty Images

    Attack

    Riyad Mahrez (5/10):

    Struggled to make much impact before being replaced 10 minutes into the second half.

    Erling Haaland (9/10):

    On the periphery for most of the first half but in the right place to open the scoring. Superb bicycle kick with his final touch before being replaced was his 30th Premier League goal of the season.

    Jack Grealish (8/10):

    On the scoresheet again and provided the cross for Haaland's second. Beginning to produce the output many expected of him when he signed in 2021.

  5. Subs & Manager
    Getty Images

    Subs & Manager

    Kyle Walker (5/10):

    After being called out by his manager in the build-up, will be disappointed in the role he played in Mara's goal.

    Bernardo Silva (6/10):

    Replaced Mahrez and provided energy and quality off the right-hand side.

    Julian Alvarez (6/10):

    Netted from the penalty spot after replacing Haaland.

    Sergio Gomez (N/A):

    On for Ake with 10 minutes to go.

    Kalvin Phillips (N/A):

    Given a run out late on.

    Pep Guardiola (7/10):

    Made the right changes at 1-0 to stop Southampton's counter-attacking threat. Interesting to see how much he changes things for the Bayern game.