FORMER Manchester City ace Micah Richards claimed the Etihad Stadium-based side “blew away” Saints with quality and intricate tactical play during the 4-0 defeat.

Two-time Premier League winner Richards, who made 246 appearances for City, was on hand to explain how Pep Guardiola’s side were so convincing.

Ralph Hasenhuttl watched on under pressure as Joao Cancelo’s false-full-back role rewarded the Portuguese with a goal and opened up space for Phil Foden to score.

Riyad Mahrez and Erling Haaland added their strikes after the break to make it four defeats in a row for the St Mary’s travellers.

Hasenhuttl called for bravery from his side in the build-up to the contest but Richards insists City took advantage of a team not quite understanding their press.

Speaking on BBC’s Match of the Day, Richards said: “Man City were brilliant. With no Kyle Walker, (Manuel) Akanji played in that right-back role, but we know Akanji is a centre-back, so it was nice to see how they were going to set up and try and combat that (high press).

“If you look at the average positions you see Akanji, (Ruben) Dias, (Nathan) Ake almost like a back three and Cancelo is playing almost like a winger.

“You see the three Man City (defenders) and the four press from Southampton. (Stuart) Armstrong doesn’t really know what he is doing, should he stay or should he go?”

Haaland nearly opened the scoring with his 15th goal in nine Premier League matches but had to wait until the second half after his effort cannoned off the post and out.

It was Cancelo with the play for Foden to slip the Norwegian – who could have had a fourth successive hattrick at home – on goal.

“Cancelo is so good with his feet,” Richards added. “Into Foden, De Bruyne makes that run and we all know what Haaland wants to do. He wants to get in behind as soon as possible.

“It’s gone from front to back so quickly. I thought it wouldn’t be his day after he hit the post.”

Assessing where the press went wrong for Saints, Richards added: “You see the importance of two players who can drop deep in Bernadro Silva and Rodri, very comfortable on the ball. It’s going to go to Ederson and then who is it going to go to? Cancelo.

“Look at the numbers Southampton had. They didn’t know whether to stay or whether to go and City just broke that press every single time. It just went from back to front so quickly, we’re talking about one, or two passes.

“Southampton didn’t know how to deal with it. In the end they just got a little bit tired. Everything got really narrow and it was just too easy.

“(Jack) Grealish came on and just got into those little pockets of space and you can’t give Kevin de Bruyne that much space in the middle of the park. (Joe) Aribo has got to come and help out his teammates.

“There was only one thing on De Bruyne’s mind, ‘can I find Haaland?’ That was the story of the game. With Southampton doing so well against Man City last season, they just blew them away this season.” 

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo.

Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website.

You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.

Don't just take my word for it - subscribe today.

Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by searching Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents on Facebook

Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated group by searching Hampshire Court and Crime News on Facebook