Sterling display by ruthless City
EMPHATIC: PEP’S MEN RETURN TO THE TOP OF THE TABLE
Raheem Sterling scored twice fresh from agreeing a new five-year contract with Manchester City as the champions swept aside Southampton 6-1 last night to return to the top of the Premier League table.
Sergio Aguero, with his 150th league goal, David Silva and Leroy Sane were also on the mark as Pep Guardiola’s side continued their unbeaten start to their title defence.
“We played excellent, without and especially with the ball,” Guardiola told the BBC as he insisted there was more to come from England international Sterling.
“He is more mature now than he was when we first met at the club... He is 23 and he can be a better player.”
Southampton had the minor consolation of becoming the first team in 630 minutes to score against City but the leaders’ form is ominous for the rest of the division.
City are scoring at a marginally faster rate than they did while racking up a record 106 goals last season, and they made a devastating start at the Etihad that finished the game as a contest within 18 minutes of kick-off.
In London, Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri said he believes a maturing Alvaro Morata can be the free-scoring striker his side needs after scoring twice in last night’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace.
However, the Italian called on Morata to keep improving physically, mentally and technically if his goals are to help Chelsea keep pace with Premier League leaders Manchester City.
He now has four goals in as many league games after two fine finishes to twice give Chelsea the lead either side of half-time before Pedro Rodriguez sealed the three points to take Sarri’s men above Liverpool into second, two points behind City.
“He is a little bit fragile from the mental point of view, but he is very young I think he can improve very fast,” said Sarri.
Crystal Palace started the second half stronger and a lovely, dinked through ball from James McArthur saw Andros Townsend surge clear before unleashing a low drive into the bottom corner to restore parity in the 53rd minute. –