Manchester City 4-0 Southampton
by James Nalton
at City of Manchester stadium

IT IS becoming less a question of whether Manchester City will win, and more a question of how many Erling Haaland will score.

Riyad Mahrez’s volley at the beginning of the second half put City three goals up against Southampton on Saturday, but Haaland was yet to add his name to the scoresheet and continue his extraordinary run of goalscoring form.

Joao Cancelo had opened the scoring following an impressive run down the left, turning James Ward-Prowse inside out before finishing left-footed past goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu.

Phil Foden netted the second to continue his own impressive run of goalscoring form. The Englishman now has seven goals in 11 games in all competitions and five goals in his last three Premier League games.

But the performances of these world-class players are being overshadowed by the goalscoring feat of a phenomenal one.

Haaland eventually added the fourth and last of City’s goals of the afternoon, striking Cancelo’s cross first time in typical economical fashion.

The 22-year-old had hit the inside of the post in the first half, seeing the ball bounce back across the goal from the far post, and somehow not go in before rolling out for a goal kick.

The Norwegian now has 15 goals in nine Premier League games and 20 in all competitions. His league tally equals that of City’s top scorer in the league last season, Kevin De Bruyne.

City manager Pep Guardiola believes Haaland is helping De Bruyne get the most from his creative talents.

“For Kevin, especially Kevin, to have this threat of pace and movement in behind helps a lot,” said the Sky Blues boss.

“He made plenty of assists but he could have played better today. This was not the best Kevin we know.

“He was not in the position we should find him but Kevin has Julian [Alvarez], Phil [Foden] and these players who make movements in behind.”

City can secure qualification for the Champions League knockout stages with a point in Copenhagen this week, before facing Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League next weekend.