Take a look at how the media saw the game here, starting with the Daily Telegraph’s write-up.
Jim White reported: “The smile on Pep Guardiola’s face said it all. A full beam of satisfaction, it marked as pleasing an afternoon’s work as any he has supervised in his first season in Manchester. This was City as he envisaged them: industrious, efficient and way too clever for a pedestrian Southampton.
“Strolling to the most comfortable of 3-0 victories, they looked a side in form at precisely the right moment, ahead of their two most important fixtures of the season: an FA Cup semi final against Arsenal and then the Manchester derby.
“What will have pleased the City manager was the industry with which his team went about their task. Effort was everywhere on display.”
Over to Ian Macintosh of ESPN now, who singled out skipper Vincent Kompany for praise: “His winning goal, an emphatic header from a second-half corner, will guarantee him the headlines, but this was a fine all-round performance from Kompany. With Southampton eager to cause problems, the Belgian centre-back was called into action early, stepping out of defence three times in the first five minutes to shut their attacks down.
“After a troublesome first half demanded composure and renewed effort, it was unsurprising that it was he who made the breakthrough for City, piling in on Yoshida and smashing his header into the back of the net. The ferocity of his celebration in front of the City fans told its own story.”
Paul Doyle added in the Guardian: “Vincent Kompany, so luckless with injuries, has been missing for most of Pep Guardiola’s reign at Manchester City, but the club’s captain came to the fore when it mattered here, setting his team up for a precious win by scoring with a powerful second-half header. Leroy Sané and Sergio Agüero then confirmed the victory by finishing off a pair of deadly counterattacks.”
Finally, Charlie Wyett and Richard Forrester reported in the Sun: “Vincent Kompany scored his first goal in 20 months as Manchester City ensured a convincing victory over Southampton.
“The towering Belgian, whose season has been ravaged by injury, out muscled Maya Yoshida to nod home from David Silva’s corner 10 minutes into the second half.
“Leroy Sane doubled their advantage 12 minutes from time as he slotted home Kevin De Bruyne’s pass to cap off a slick counter attacking goal.”
