BBC SPORT | Football | Eng Prem | Ormerod outguns Man City

Southampton 2-0 Manchester City

A Brett Ormerod brace - his first the quickest goal in England on Saturday - overwhelmed Manchester City and suggested that Southampton have at last found a goalscorer.

Saturday's Premiership action in pictures

Prior to this win, which propelled Southampton from third from bottom to mid-table, Gordon Strachan's side had scored just four times in eight games.

But Ormerod has now struck five goals in two games - he grabbed a hat-trick in the midweek Worthington Cup win over Tranmere and he was a persistent irritant to Peter Schmeichel.

Key moments

2 mins: Brett Ormerod opens the scoring with a fine header

43 mins: Ormerod grabs his second, this time with a shot

85 mins: Marian Pahars dismissed after he receives a second yellow card

But for Schmeichel the former Blackpool and Accrington Stanley striker would have scored more - the City goalkeeper keeping out one fierce half-volley with a superb save.

However Southampton's other two strikers enjoyed a less profitable day.

James Beattie embarrassingly missed an open goal, while five minutes from the end substitute Marian Pahars was sent off after receiving two yellow cards.

The Latvian had come in for Ormerod, after the Southampton striker was tackled by Sun Jihai.

It's the best we've played all season - everyone did their job well

Gordon Strachan
Southampton manager

On this display it was difficult to fathom just why Southampton have struggled for goals, but then again City have still yet to win away this season - a record easier to understand.

Keegan's side looked second best in every department and although Nicolas Anelka worked hard the City striker did not receive either enough of the ball or support.

Southampton's paucity of goals had seen Strachan's side average a goal approximately every 180 minutes, but the fifth came in altogether quicker fashion.

Wayne Bridge completed a flowing move with a inswinging cross from the left and Ormerod rose to hear past Schmeichel and just 64 seconds had passed.

Fabrice Fernandes shields the ball from Eyal Berkovic
Fernandes twice hit the woodwork

The goal imbued Southampton with confidence and Ormerod, Fabrice Fernandes and Bridge all tested Schmeichel with some accurate shots.

The City goalkeeper also did well to stand up to a second Fernandes shot after a fine solo run by the Frenchman, who midway through the second half hit the bar with a delightful chip.

Rory Delap was also unlucky to see his header fly over the bar, while soon after Schmeichel had to athetically turn around the post another Ormerod effort - this time a header.

But Ormerod kept at it and just before the interval he grabbed his second.

I hope a performance like that hurts the players as much as it hurts me

Kevin Keegan
Man City boss

Bridge was again the creator - his pass dissecting the City defence and although Schmeichel stopped Ormerod's first effort, the striker made no mistake with his follow-up shot.

During the second period Southampton created a series of chances, but both Pahars and Beattie lacked Ormerod's finishing touch.

Pahars dismissal followed his second booking after he was adjudged to have dived in the box.

Southampton: Niemi, Bridge, Michael Svensson, Lundekvam, Dodd, Fernandes, Anders Svensson (Oakley 80), Marsden, Delap, Ormerod (Pahars 53), Beattie (Tessem 87).
Subs Not Used: Jones, Telfer.

Sent Off: Pahars (85).
Booked: Marsden, Pahars.

Man City: Schmeichel, Jensen, Jihai, Howey (Mettomo 37), Distin, Foe, Horlock, Benarbia, Berkovic, Anelka, Wright-Phillips (Huckerby 73).
Subs Not Used: Nash, Goater, Kerkar.

Booked: Jensen.

Attendance: 31,009

Referee: M Messias (N Yorkshire).