Southampton vs Manchester City: Frank Lampard salutes City spirit after comfortable win over Saints

Former Chelsea man is settling in well at Eastlands

Frank Lampard hailed Manchester City's attitude as "absolutely bang on" after the defending champions moved up to second place in the Barclays Premier League table with a clinical 3-0 victory over Southampton.

Southampton had only conceded one goal at St Mary's this season coming into the game, but their defence was breached three times by City as Yaya Toure, Lampard and Gael Clichy netted second-half strikes.

It was an impressive display from City, who had to overcome the setbacks of an early penalty appeal controversially going against them and the 74th-minute sending off of Eliaquim Mangala, and Lampard was quick to highlight the spirit in Manuel Pellegrini's team.

He told Sky Sports 1: "I thought it was very good, we knew what we were coming up against today, a very good team in very good form, and I think you could see from the outset today that our attitude was absolutely bang on. The spirit was really there today and that's what won us the game."

Frank Lampard scores City's second (GETTY IMAGES)

City might have taken an early lead if referee Mike Jones had not denied Sergio Aguero what looked a clear penalty in the first half, but Lampard said the visitors could not dwell on that decision.

He said: "You're aggrieved for a few minutes and then I think you have to look forward to the rest of the game. We said that at half-time and the lads went out and did it."

Lampard was also asked about his future after the game, with his loan from sister club New York City due to expire at the end of December.

Pellegrini is keen to extend the former England midfielder's stay at the Etihad Stadium, but Lampard says he is not looking too far ahead.

He added: "I haven't spoke to them on that front at all, I've been concentrating week to week and getting fit when I was injured for a while.

"I'm not looking that far ahead. It's nice that they are saying that, it's much better saying that than saying they can't wait for me to go! We'll see what happens about that one."

PA.