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.
(Photo: 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.
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