EFL Carabao Cup: Manchester City Thrash Southampton To Reach Quarter-finals

Manchester City had more or less a comfortable 3-1 home victory over Southampton to reach the quarter-finals of the EFL Carabao Cup.

Saints stood no chance with the title holders, who dominated the game with nine shots at the target, whilst they could only successfully penetrate into City's defense twice, which resulted into a consolation goal from Jack Stephens' effort in the second half after City had secured victory with three goals up. 

Despite City playing without Raheem Sterling and Belgian attacking midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, their absence was felt against Saints, who conceded an opener with Nicolas Otamendi heading into the goal Bernando Silva's cross from the edge of the box. 

Nicolas Otamendi opens the scoring with a header

Sergio Aguero doubled the lead heading in a superb cross from Kyle Walker and sealed the victory with a tap in of Mahrez's shot which deflected on Jan Bednarek's blocking and went on in flight to his reach at close range to the post. 

Just after Saints struck their first shot at the target from Sofiane Boufal's effort, Stephens headed in a consolation goal for the side following a corner. 

Aguero completed his 12th goal of the season for City during the game. He trails in second place behind Raheem Sterling who is leading as the club's top scorer with 13 goals in all competitions. 

"Generally it was a good game other than the last minutes which can happen," Pep Guardiola said afterward. "We go through quarter-finals now, and into the draw."