Firstly, as you might have guessed, City are the talk of the back pages after yesterday’s superb 6-1 win over Southampton which saw us move two points clear at the top of the table.
An own goal by Wesley Hoedt plus strikes from Sergio Aguero, Leroy Sane and David Silva contributed to our dominant victory, but it was Raheem Sterling’s two goals and as many assists which have caught the eye of the press.
READ: City 6-1 Southampton | Match Report
GALLERY: City v Southampton | Match Action
The Manchester Evening News’ Stuart Brennan gave Raheem top marks in his player ratings.
Brennan writes: “Absolutely electric performance from minute one until the end. His dash to the by-line created the second, delicate chip made the third, chipped in with two of his own and then set up Sane for the sixth. 10.”
And while we’re on ratings, Sky Sports have ‘marked’ our overall performance at the Etihad, and it looks like we are top of the class!
Stephen Mills scribes: “Manchester City tore Southampton apart on Sunday afternoon, scoring six goals to move two points clear at the top of the Premier League with a goal difference of +29 after only 11 games. And yet you get the feeling there’s more to come from this team.
“They are an irresistible force going forward, but still allowed their opponents opportunities at the other end. Southampton had 12 shots in the match and ended a run of 505 minutes without a goal when Danny Ings caught John Stones out and won a penalty when he was tripped by goalkeeper Ederson.
“Perhaps it wasn’t a supreme performance by their own high standards, but it would be churlish to give them anything other than an ‘A’ grade.”
Meanwhile, Fox Sports questions how fellow Premier League teams will be able to stop City.
“HOW on earth do you go about stopping them?” Jake Rosengarten asks.
“That’s the question no doubt circulating around worried dressing rooms as Manchester City continue to set a rampant pace atop the Premier League ladder.
“Their latest victims, Southampton, were powerless as the reigning champions romped to a 6-1 win at the Etihad – the latest statement outing from a team who somehow only lead the competition by two measly points.
“Chelsea grabbed three points of their own as they joined City and Liverpool unbeaten after 11 matches. But for a more realistic image of the gap between the leaders and their chasers, one needs only to shift their gaze to the goal difference column.
“It reads: Reds 16, Blues 19, City — a whopping 29.
“At this point last season, Pep Guardiola’s side boasted an ever larger 31 … they also led the league by eight points.
“Essentially, this anomalous start to the season, in which their rivals are somehow keeping pace in a bizarre 40-year first, is creating a façade of a close title race. But in reality, there appears one frontrunner for the title… and they’re wearing sky blue.”
Finally, we turn our attention to Nikita Parris’ incredible achievement. The 24-year-old netted two over Liverpool to become the league’s all-time top goalscorer yesterday.
“Manchester City’s Nikita Parris became the Women’s Super League all-time top scorer with two goals in a 3-0 win at Liverpool,” Sky Sports reports.
“The 24-year-old England international produced a dinked finish and then converted a penalty to take her WSL tally to 37, one ahead of former Chelsea forward Eni Aluko.
“After a goalless first half, second-placed City went in front thanks to Niamh Fahey’s own goal.”
That’s all for today’s media watch, but we will be back tomorrow with all the latest City news from the back pages…
