Revitalised City finally look up for a title battle

Southampton 0 Manchester City 3

Prior to yesterday’s trip to St Mary’s Stadium, Manuel Pellegrini’s side have seemed destined to repeat the mistakes of two seasons ago when the mantle of champions appeared to weigh too heavy on too many City players.

With Chelsea rampant, the prospect of delivering back-to-back titles to Etihad Stadium has been receding by the week.