The Blues, despite the shambolic display at Southampton and the many like it this season, could yet qualify for the Champions League final. Even so, the squad needs repair.
Whether it was Pablo Zabaleta falling over or Aleksandar Kolarov producing a comical header (both in the first 60 seconds), Nicolas Otamendi's brain-dead defending for Southampton's opener or Manuel Pellegrini bringing on Martin Demichelis in midfield, there were plenty of reminders of the frustrating state in which Manchester City finds itself.
This was City's 10th Premier League defeat of the season, and at least the sixth hammering.