HAAL-MARK OF A GENIUS

De Bruyne sets up Erling to become top-flight assist king

- Simon MULLOCK

SOUTHAMPTON 1 MAN CITY 4

KEVIN DE BRUYNE became the fastest Premier League player to reach 100 assists as Manchester City cranked up their bid for a third successive title.

The Belgian midfielder sent Pep Guardiola's men on their way just before half-time by setting up the opening goal for Erling Haaland.

De Bruyne was also involved in the move which saw Jack Grealish (left) score. He then won the penalty which enabled substitute Julian Alvarez to seal the deal from the spot after Sekou Mara had briefly cut the deficit for Southampton.

City now trail leaders Arsenal by five points - with the Gunners facing Liverpool at Anfield today. Haaland scored twice to take his tally for the season to 44. His second - a spectacular falling volley from Grealish's cross - was so special that even the home fans joined in the applause.

But De Bruyne remains Guardiola's most important influence - and boy did they need him at St Mary's.

City were decidedly second-best for 44 minutes against the league's bottom side.

But then De Bruyne gave Haaland the opportunity to score his 43rd goal of the season with the kind of cross the Norwegian must dream about.