Haaland grabs 20th goal to guide Manchester City past Southampton

If a 20-goal season is the recognised mark of success for any striker then Erling Haaland reaching the tally after 12 competitive appearances casts him as football’s Jonah Lomu.

The 22-year-old is unstoppable, his finishing-ratio staggering – one Premier League goal delivered every 50 minutes – and the fascination is where the Norwegian may take his talent over the coming seasons.

Until the 64th-minute Southampton, 3-0 down and steamrollered by City, appeared to be heading to join Bournemouth and Serbia as the only teams to keep out the prolific marksman. But, no. Kevin De Bruyne, excellent throughout, angled a ball to João Cancelo down the left and his delivery was rammed in by Haaland.

The win takes City top on 23 points after nine matches, with Arsenal, who play Liverpool on Sunday, second on 21. “Being close to the top of the league is important going into the World Cup,” said Pep Guardiola. “We will see the result from Arsenal and Liverpool, always in the Premier League there are good games.”

Kyle Walker’s groin injury meant a Guardiola rejig – he is partial to these – which featured an impressive Manuel Akanji operating at right-back though the Swiss soon drew a manager’s mutter for an errant pass.

Ralph Hasenhüttl, who seems perennially in danger of the sack, could be pleased with some early Saints pressure early but it soon ended. From his familiar left flank Foden served the ball into Haaland’s path: the shot was instant and with his right but the ball smacked off the right post. Next, Cancelo claimed a corner which De Bruyne dipped in from the left but Mahrez’s effort careered over.

Cancelo, now, showed how to do it via superb solo strike. Foden was flattened by Kyle Walker-Peters but Andy Madley, smartly,