Southampton 0-3 Manchester City: Vincent Kompany sparks second-half show of strength to bury the Saints

Daily Mail | April 15, 2017

Manchester City showed their teeth as they travelled to the south coast but it took them 45 minutes and a moment of inspiration from Vincent Kompany to do so.

The oft-missing captain rose highest to meet a corner in the 55th minute to head past Fraser Forster and spark what had up to that point had been a drab affair into an entertaining contest.

Leroy Sane and Sergio Aguero punished Southampton as the hosts pushed for a route back in the game as City showed a ruthless streak not demonstrated often enough this season.

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Captasin Vincent Kompany marked his return to the side with a goal in the second half to put Manchester City ahead

The Belgian roared and pumped his fists in front of the visiting City fans as in an emotional celebration after his goal

Leroy Sane finished off a delightful, sweeping City move to make it 2-0 as Southampton pushed for an equaliser

The German youngster was quick to congratulate his team-mates for their role in creating his lead-doubling strike

Sergio Aguero popped up at the back post shortly after Sane's goal to make it 3-0 and end the match as a contest

James Ward-Prowse keeps a close eye on Gael Clichy in the early stages of Southampton's clash with City

Sergio Ageuro had an early chance to get a shot in at goal when picked out by David Silva but the striker volleyed wide

Leroy Sane's trickery was an asset to City as they looked to create going forward, here Steven Davis pays close attention

Ward-Prowse had to get through a lot of work as Southampton kept their visitors at bay in the early stages of the match

City captain Vincent Kompany returned to starting XI as he continues his comeback from a long-term knee injury

Saints manager Claude Puel issues instructions from the touchline as Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg prepares to take a throw-in

Fraser Forster came under scrutiny when he felled Sane in the box but replays show the keeper got a touch on the ball

Manolo Gabbiandini made his return from injury and proved a nuisance to City, here Claudio Bravo reaches for the ball

A robust Ryan Bertrand challenge left Aguero writhing on the pitch in pain, the Saints defender raked the striker's Achilles

Bertrand stands over the Argentine, who required lengthy treatment. Neil Swarbrick decided to keep his cards in his pocket — Bertrand stands over the Argentine, who required lengthy treatment.