Cyle Larin continued his excellent form as he scored twice in Southampton's 4-1 win over Bristol City.

The Championship's player of the month for August put Saints ahead when he fired into the top corner.

But City will feel unlucky not to have gone into the break with a goal as Dom Ballard missed a number of chances.

They had more opportunities in the second period before Larin pounced again from close range after an hour for his eighth goal in nine games this season in all competitions.

The Robins did get the goal they deserved as Lorent Tolaj steered Rio Cardines' shot past Daniel Peretz soon after Larin's second.

But Kuryu Matsuki made it 3-1 late on as he swept the ball home from inside the box, before Finn Azaz got a fourth moments later as City were left to rue the chances they missed.

The win sees Southampton leapfrog Bristol City into seventh place on goal difference - both sides have 10 points as the Robins slip to 10th.

City ended the game having had 21 shots compared to the hosts' 10 and they got off to a superb start as Jason Knight forced an excellent seventh-minute save from Peretz from the edge of the box.

Ballard lifted the ball over Peretz only for Keven Schlotterbeck to clear it off the line five minutes later, while Tolaj had a header from a corner headed off the line soon after as Michael Skubala's side showed why they had won their past three matches.

But Larin showed why he is the Championship's top player as it stands as he held off four defenders and fired left-footed into the top right corner from the edge of the box after being put through by Azaz.

Ballard had two more chances as the half drew to a close - his weak effort was saved by Peretz before his glancing header from Cardines' cross just cleared the crossbar.

Tolaj headed wide for the Robins early in the second half as they continued to pressure their hosts, but it was Saints who doubled their lead - Leo Scienza cut the ball, James Ward-Prowse had a shot blocked but Larin was there to fire in from six yards.

However, Tolaj showed his speed of thought to convert Cardines' wayward shot moments later for his second goal since moving to Ashton Gate from Plymouth Argyle.

But Matsuki ended any doubt as to where the three points would go as he was the second recipient of an Azaz assist as he shot home left-footed, before Azaz turned from provider to scorer as substitute Divin Mubama broke down the right and fed the former Middlesbrough player who calmly finished.

Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert told BBC Radio Solent:

"If you see the block of games that we come from it's not easy, especially if you then face a team who had a whole week to prepare.

"The midweek game against Swansea we knew that we have to run more and we did run more and more intense than we have all season.

"Obviously that takes takes a toll, that's just the reality so early on in the season and then it was just different energy levels on the pitch today.

"Then [to] still to find a way deserves all the credit, so this one today belongs to the players."

Bristol City manager Michael Skubala told BBC Radio Bristol:

"It definitely wasn't for me a 4-1 game, it flattered them a little bit but they're a good team and they can hurt you.

"First-half I thought we were good and then we got caught in a moment of transition, a long ball we didn't deal with very well, but a good player scores and we were still in the game.

"I thought we should have scored at least one, if not two, in the first half and it'd be a different game.

"The second half we came out, went 2-0 down, there was a little bit of chaos with who's on the pitch and then we concede in that moment, which is hard to take.

"But we got back into it well and from there we just needed to manage the game a little bit better in the last 30 minutes and try and not be too open whilst chasing."