Premier League: Manchester City thump Saints to go top

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Raheem Sterling struck twice as Premier League leaders Manchester City crushed Southampton 6-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, the fourth time they have scored five or more goals in the 11 games so far this season.

The defending champions were 4-1 up by half-time, and the result could have been even worse for Mark Hughes on his return to his former club.

Sterling was outstanding, a constant threat down the flank, and he was delighted that his side took advantage of second-placed Liverpool's draw at Arsenal on Saturday.

City, who now have a two-point lead over Liverpool, took just six minutes to open the scoring. David Silva fed Leroy Sane on the left and the German's low cross was turned by Southampton defender Wesley Hoedt into his own net.

Six minutes later and City were 2-0 up after Bernardo Silva fed Sterling on the right and the England winger's low cross was slotted home from close range by Sergio Aguero, the Argentine's 17th goal in his last 13 home games.

The game was virtually over by the 18th minute when Sterling's cross from the right eventually found David Silva whose left-foot drive flew past the helpless Alex McCarthy.

Southampton got a little encouragement when Danny Ings was brought down by City keeper Ederson and rose to convert the spot kick in the 30th minute, but on the stroke of half-time City restored their three-goal advantage when Aguero passed to Sterling inside the box and he took his time before firing home.

Sterling struck again to make it 5-1, drilling into the bottom corner after being slipped in by the unselfish Aguero and Sane completed the rout in stoppage time.

Southampton is in 16th place, two places above the relegation zone with a solitary win this campaign and manager Hughes was left to rue the disastrous start to the game.

“Opening period is always important in any game, and we didn't really acquit ourselves well. City will always ask questions and have a lot of talent, power and pace. They create two versus ones in good areas.

“You need to be more aggressive than we were able to show. We found ourselves 3-0 down and to all extents and purposes the game is gone,” said the Welshman.

Alvaro Morata scored twice as Chelsea climbed to second in the Premier League with a 3-1 victory against Crystal Palace on November 4. /VCG Photo

Chelsea go second

Elsewhere, Chelsea went second in the Premier League with an emphatic 4-0 win at Burnley on Sunday which maintained their unbeaten start to the season.

The London club is two points behind leaders Liverpool and one point ahead of champions Manchester City, who play away to Tottenham Hotspur on Monday.

Maurizio Sarri's side barely noticed the absence of Eden Hazard as Willian, starting in the Belgian's normal position on the left, scored and hit a post.

Spanish striker Alvaro Morata gave Chelsea the lead midway through a first half in which he might have netted three times.

England midfielder Ross Barkley set him up for that goal and added the second himself from outside the penalty area early in the second half.

Brazilian Willian curled the third past Burnley goalkeeper Joe Hart five minutes later and substituted Ruben Loftus-Cheek completed the scoring in stoppage-time.

Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart conceded nine goals in the last two games, but there was little he could do to repel some fine Chelsea finishing.

Hart had made one fine save from Morata's header and seen Willian's drive hit a post before the first goal.

Barkley and Willian's goals were particularly well taken as Chelsea clocked up 24 goals from their 10 games.

Source(s): Reuters