MANCHESTER City’s Erling Haaland was at the double at St Mary’s to help his side power past Saints 4-1 in the Premier League.

Saints had held on against the English champions but were just seconds short of half-time when Haaland opened the scoring with a simple header.

Jack Grealish then doubled their advantage before Haaland posted number 30 of his Premier League season to seal the tie.

Substitute Sekou Mara scored against Man City for the second time this season – his only goals of the season – to pull one back but a Julian Alvarez penalty wrapped things up.

On a day when relegation rivals West Ham United and AFC Bournemouth both won in their fixtures away from home, it leaves Saints sitting precariously at the bottom of the Premier League.

Ruben Selles opted to start without a recognised striker for this one as Charly Alcaraz operated in a false nine role, with Kamaldeen Sulemana playing off them.

Armel Bella-Kotchap also returned from his shoulder injury to boost the defensive line, while Erling Haaland’s return was the only change for Man City.

It was Grealish with the opening chance, Gavin Bazunu pushing out and just about avoiding danger as the former Aston Villa man looked to sweep in.

Kamaldeen lifted supporters out of their seats and lifted the Saints performance as he snatched possession and travelled the length of the pitch.

The Ghanaian, back in the starting XI, was not able to outpace Nathan Ake with true ease and it meant his under-pressure touch took him into Ederson.

Moi Elyounoussi started well and created a couple of chances for Saints, who were impressive in the first 45 minutes, but Haaland sent a warning shot with a close-range header wide.

The Norwegian machine then added his 29th Premier League goal of the season when Kevin De Bruyne’s magic cross saw him climb highest to nod past Bazunu seconds before half-time.

Selles opted for no changes at the break and it was the home side who showed sparks in the second period, but it would not bear fruits.

City made a killer blow after gaps in the defence formed on the counter and Grealish buried on the second attempt following Bazunu’s initial parry.

Grealish then turned provider for Haaland, who finished the England international’s cross with a spectacular overhead kick.

Substitutes Moussa Djenepo and Mara combined as the Frenchman finished in the area soon after but the hope of an unlikely resurgence would not last.

De Bruyne was fouled in the area by Kyle Walker-Peters and Alvarez – just on for Haaland, who would have been hunting a hat-trick – powered beyond Bazunu.

Bernardo Silva had an effort for a fifth cleared off the line before impressive youngster Romeo Lavia added to the woes and left the field with an injury.

Saints: Bazunu; Maitland-Niles, Bednarek, Bella-Kotchap, Walker-Peters; Lavia (Diallo, 80), Ward-Prowse, Elyounoussi (S Armstrong, 60), Alcaraz (Djenepo, 68); Walcott (Perraud, 80), Kamaldeen (Mara, 68).

Unused subs: Caleta-Car, Onuachu, Edozie, McCarthy (g/k).

Man City: Ederson; Dias, Stones (Walker, 56), Ake (Gomez, 80), Akanji; Rodri (Phillips, 80), Gundogan, Mahrez (Silva, 56), De Bruyne, Grealish; Haaland (Alvarez, 70).

Unused subs: Laporte, Palmer, Lewis, Ortega (g/k).

Booked: Stones, Haaland.

Referee: Robert Jones.

VAR: John Brooks.