Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez believes the team's consistency is the reason for their strong start to the season.

While they are not at the top of the Premier League, City are following closely behind Arsenal as they look to retain the title they won last season by a narrow margin over Liverpool.

Speaking after their impressive 4-0 win over Southampton in the league, Mahrez talked about the qualities that make them such a dominating team most weeks.

He said on the team's confidence, per the club website: “It is good, like every season. Nothing changes and that is why we have been able to be one of the best teams.

“Every season we are there, we are very focused, everyone works and runs for each other, and we have to keep going. That is the way we are built.

“It is very good and we are in a good moment.

“To be fair, every season we are in that way because we work hard and we are very focused.

“When we have this focus, this resilience and this consistency we make it difficult for our opponents. We have to keep going."

“He is not going to score every time in the first 20 minutes," the Algerian added on striker and teammate Erling Haaland.

“Sometimes it is going to be a bit difficult and that shows how strong he is.

“Sometimes he can score in the second half or at the end of the game.

“The most important thing is about being a threat to the defenders and I think he had a very good game."