Pep Guardiola's touchline reactions prove he knows where Man City can improve

Manchester City aren't going to win the Premier League playing perfectly in every game, and they were slow and under-par for large portions against Southampton. Yet just as fans were beginning to get restless at the Etihad, and Pep Guardiola was showing plenty of frustration on the sidelines, Joao Cancelo twisted and turned and fired them ahead, before another fine goal from Phil Foden calmed nerves further after the game had slowed again.

City were struggling to get Erling Haaland in the game, with Kevin De Bruyne misplacing some passes. But despite not playing brilliantly, they were always in control and that is a cliched characteristic of a top side, adding two more goals in the second half. Because when City don't play at their best, they are still capable of scoring goals from nothing - which will be more of a warning to their rivals as last week's derby win.

After five successive starts, Jack Grealish was the latest player to get rotated out of the side, despite playing his best form since joining City. It was not a reflection of his performances, but maybe more a measure to reward Riyad Mahrez's performance in midweek and save Grealis for two big games coming up.

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City can clinch a place in the Champions League last-16 on Tuesday in Copenhagen, before they travel to Liverpool next weekend. If the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden and Rodri were rested to face Southampton, maybe Grealish is being rested for bigger games to come - further showing his status as one of City's most important players this season.

In his programme notes, Pep Guardiola called for City to show the same attitude and hunger that they did against Copenhagen in the week,