Haaland hits 20 for the season as Man City crush Southampton

Joao Cancelo, Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez were also on target for the English champions, who move two points ahead of Arsenal at the top of the table.

City travel to Liverpool next weekend for what has become the Premier League's marquee clash in recent seasons.

But on this form Pep Guardiola's men look unstoppable with Haaland added to a squad that has already won four titles in the last five seasons.

After a couple of early season slip-ups, City are beginning to hit their stride in a six-game winning run and have now struck 31 goals in seven games at the Etihad this season.

In stark contrast to their league meetings last season when Southampton held City twice, Ralph Hasenhuttl's men were incapable to stem the tide from wave upon wave of City attacks.

Reports this week suggested Hasenhuttl is facing the sack after a four consecutive defeats.

The surprise was that for once Haaland was not leading the charge as the 22-year-old's streak of hat-tricks in home Premier League games came to an end at three.

Haaland should have opened the scoring when he rattled the inside of the post from Foden's through ball in the early stages, but it was only a matter of time before the floodgates opened.

Cancelo was retained at left-back despite the absence of Kyle Walker at right-back and the Portuguese produced a finish Haaland would have been proud of as he marauded forward and fired into the bottom corner on 20 minutes.

Foden netted his first hat-trick as City tore Manchester United to shreds last weekend and continued his fine form in front of goal with a delightful chip over Gavin Bazunu.

All eyes then turned to Haaland's quest to keep his incredible scoring streak going.