Saints 0-3 Man City: Ten man City cruise at St. Mary's

Gael Clichy finally scored for Man City on Sunday.

It was a champion performance from Manchester City at St Mary's as they ran out 3-0 winners against Southampton.

The Citizens bossed the midfield from the get-go and in the ninth minute they should have been rewarded with a penalty. Sergio Aguero was up to his usual tricks inside the penalty area before being chopped down by Jose Fonte, in what was very much a stonewall penalty. Not only did Mike Jones not award the spot-kick but actually booked Aguero for diving.

Joe Hart was called into action in the 21st minute. The ball rebounded off the 'keeper, after Graziano Pelle failed to control a good pass over the top, and landed at the feet of Steve Davis. The midfielder's low driven shot seemed destined for the bottom corner but Hart got down quickly to his right to make a very good save.

Stevan Jovetic saw his 30th minute effort cleared off the line. The Montenegrin had been slipped in brilliantly by Samir Nasri and his shot had the power to go through the legs of Fraser Forster, however, Toby Alderweireld was on the line to clear the ball to safety.

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The second half saw Alderweireld and Dusan Tadic both go close with long range efforts in the the opening stages, but that was about as good as it got for Southampton as City started to turn the screw.

Yaya Toure, who is looking more like the player who led his side to the title last season, gave City a deserved lead in the 51st minute. Aguero cut it back for him on the edge of the box where he had time and space to lash it into the bottom left corner.

Hope was offered in the 74th minute when Eliaquim Mangala brought down Shane Long to receive his second yellow card. However, the sending off transpired to be more beneficial to City, who exploited Southampton's advancing players with counter-attack after counter-attack.

One of those breakaways led to the second goal in the 80th minute. Aguero broke out of his box and played in James Milner. The midfielder got his head up and noticed Frank Lampard loitering in space on the edge of the penalty area. Lampard received the ball and proceeded to thump it into the bottom corner leaving Forster with absolutely no chance.

Aguero, who seemed to be clean through for all of the final ten minutes, had a clear path to goal in the 84th minute. With the memory of his mistake at Villa Park clearly in his mind Forster opted to remain in his box and allowed Aguero to come onto him. His decision was wholly justified as he got a big hand on the ball, stopping the forward from rounding him and making it three.

And then, the 88th minute saw the unlikeliest of goal scorers for City pop up. Gael Clichy, who until today had never scored a league goal for the club, ran in tandem with Aguero, who had the ball. Once the Argentine got to the box he spotted Clichy unmarked at the far post and naturally squared the ball to him. Clichy opened up his body before putting his weaker right-foot through the ball, which proceeded to fly into the top of the net.

All in all, it was a solid performance from City. Aguero was brilliant, while Toure looked rejuvenated, and Manuel Pellegrini's men have now climbed to second in the table, six points behind Chelsea.