Erling Haaland increased his goal tally, but Joao Cancelo was arguably the top Manchester City performer in a 4-0 win over Southampton.
It perhaps says more about Manchester City than Southampton that the visitors didn't look overly devastated by the one-sided destruction at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. Four is the fewest number of goals that City have scored in the Premier League at home this season, so Ralph Hassenhuttl's players were perhaps relieved the defeat wasn't worse.
City were totally dominant with goals from Cancelo, Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez inside the opening 50 minutes.
Cancelo, the world-class and ever-versatile full-back, put in the best showing of the match, as he also stood out as a playmaker.
Haaland, meanwhile, took his time getting on the scoresheet, hitting the inside of the post and somehow failing to connect with a Kevin De Bruyne pass. But he finally got his goal in the 65th minute to take his goal streak to seven successive Premier League games and 10 matches overall.
Getty ImagesThe Winners
Joao Cancelo:
With Kyle Walker potentially ruled out for City until after the World Cup, Guardiola is lucky to have such a versatile full-back to rely on.
Cancelo can play on either flank without any drop off in quality defensively, although he's almost more threatening on the left-hand side.
The Portuguese is the master of an outside of the foot pass and sent one glorious deep cross onto the path of Riyad Mahrez, who volleyed just over the bar.
His response was to do it all by himself, twisting James Ward-Prowse inside out before smashing a left-foot shot into the bottom corner.
Kevin De Bruyne:
The Belgian took another notable step up the ladder towards being one of the all-time Premier League greats.
De Bruyne broke City's career assist record and moved up to fifth on the all-time Premier League assists list when he set up Phil Foden's second goal.
He now has nine so far in the Premier League already has he closes in on his own single-season record of 20 shared with Thierry Henry. With Haaland as a team-mate and De Bruyne getting even better, it wouldn't be a surprise if that record is smashed this term.
Haaland's goalscoring team-mates:
Of course, Erling Haaland was eventually on the scoresheet but by then the game was long over.
What will have delighted Pep Guardiola is that City were ahead emphatically long before he was on the scoresheet.
Haaland played his part by dragging Southampton's centre-halves out of position to create the space for his team-mates, who proved they too can finish their chances.
Phil Foden:
Switched flanks to the left-hand side from the Manchester derby, but it had little impact on his performance.
It might not have been another hat-trick but it was another game when he was crucial in the final third.
Foden created the chance for Cancelo to drive at Southampton for the opener with a quick pass that saw him flattened by Kyle Walker-Peters.
After missing a one-on-one with Bazunu, he was presented with a second opportunity less than a minute later and made no mistake with a deft finish.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesThe Losers
Gavin Bazunu:
The Ireland international never spent much time in Manchester before his move in the summer, with loan spells at Rochdale and Portsmouth during his time at City.
A first-ever appearance at the Etihad Stadium was a chance to show Guardiola about his potential with City having a buyback option.
Bazunu made a glut of impressive saves from Mahrez, Foden and Haaland to keep the scoreline down and was calm and intelligent with the ball at his feet.
But he won't be expecting a call just yet to take the gloves off Ederson, who was a spectator at the other end of the pitch.
Jack Grealish:
The £100 million man has been in good form in recent weeks so it was perhaps a surprise that he was on the bench.
Grealish's confidence has looked back to the highs of his Aston Villa days as he's been heavily involved in a string of big victories recently.
The only thing that has been missing is the goals and assists and he might have seen the Saints as a way to boost his numbers.
Riyad Mahrez hasn't been at his best this season, but the Algerian was preferred with Guardiola wanting him to find some form after a goal and assist in midweek against Copenhagen and he got on the scoresheet again while Grealish fluffed a glorious chance when he came on.
Getty ImagesRatings: Defence
Ederson (6/10):
A routine performance for the goalkeeper whose main role was starting City attacks when the ball came deep.
Manuel Akanji (7/10):
In an unfamiliar right-back spot, but it didn't seem to bother him in the slightest as he continued his impressive start since his summer switch.
Ruben Dias (6/10):
Perhaps a couple of uncomfortable moments, but only noticeable as those around him were so flawless.
Nathan Ake (8/10):
Unruffled again as he swept any danger and passed out of defence with confidence.
Joao Cancelo (9/10):
Virtually used as a winger and Southampton had no idea how to curtail his thrusting runs.
Getty ImagesMidfield
Rodri (7/10):
Back in the side after a slight strain and was straight into the groove linking the defence and attack.
Bernardo Silva (8/10):
Played almost as a second holding midfielder to counter-act Southampton's targeting of Rodri and the pair dictated the middle of the pitch.
Kevin De Bruyne (8/10):
Being rested in the week was bad news for the visitors. He was fresh, pressing their defence and got his assist by sliding in Foden.