Southampton 0, Manchester City 2

Robbie Fowler's first Premiership goal for Manchester City helped his side on their way to a comfortable win over Southampton.

The former England striker scored only the second Premiership goal against Saints at St Mary's this season.

And that figure soon became three as Paulo Wanchope scored late on to seal City's victory.

City made light work of the win, playing assured possession football and having few problems in keeping Saints at bay.

That was despite Southampton knowing that victory would lift them to the lofty position of fourth in the Premiership.

But they were stunned after just four minutes when Fowler turned well, beat two men, then blasted a low shot past Paul Jones in the Saints goal from 20 yards.

It was only his fourth goal for the club - and his first in the Premiership - but it was a strike which silenced the home fans.

City were lively early on, and showed few signs of missing Nicolas Anelka.

Paulo Wanchope teed up Fowler who hit a first-time shot just over the bar on 14 minutes. James Beattie, who had already seen an early shot go wide, then had a shot blocked by Sun Jihai as Saints fought hard.

However, the hosts struggled to make an impact against a professional City outfit.

Kevin Keegan's side were content to knock the ball around in midfield and Southampton's chances were limited.

Kevin Phillips was off-target with a chip but, at the other end, Steve McManaman threatened as a jinking run ended with a pass to Fowler which was deflected.

Gordon Strachan needed a quick response from his team in the second half, but Beattie wasted an opportunity after failing to control a loose ball which was just eight yards out.

After surviving that scare City looked more likely to score, with Fowler seeing a header cleared after a latching on to a McManaman cross - then missing another headed chance from six yards, when it seemed easier to score. And Wanchope could have sealed victory for City on 62 minutes when he produced a weak header while unmarked inside the six-yard box.

The visitors might have expected an onslaught from the home team, but Southampton were lacklustre and offered few direct threats to David Seaman's goal.

Wanchope sealed the win as he broke clear with Saints pushing up, smashing a fine finish past Jones.

Southampton: Jones, Dodd (Telfer 73), Michael Svensson, Lundekvam, Le Saux, Fernandes (McCann 57), Anders Svensson, Delap, Marsden, Beattie, Phillips (Ormerod 73). Subs not used: Blayney, Higginbotham. Booked: Marsden.

Man City: Seaman, Jihai, Dunne, Distin, Tarnat, Sinclair, Reyna, Barton, McManaman, Wanchope, Fowler (Sibierski 83). Subs not used: Stuhr-Ellegaard, Sommeil, Bosvelt, Macken. Booked: Dunne.

Attendance: 31,952

Referee: A Wiley (Staffordshire).