Premier League match report: Manchester City 5-2 Southampton

Five-star Man City

Manchester City bounced back from their derby defeat at the weekend to thrash Southampton 5-2 and go 14 points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez both scored twice for the league-leaders who are edging closer to regaining the Premier League title.

First half

De Bruyne tapped in after Alex McCarthy saved Phil Foden’s strike to open the scoring after 15 minutes.

Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City scores the opening goal past Alex McCarthy of Southampton during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Southampton at Etihad Stadium. (Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images)

However, Aymeric Laporte pulled down Jannik Vestergaard in the area from a corner to give James Ward-Prowse the chance to level things up from the spot.

With five minutes to go in the first half, City went ahead again. A slack Che Adams cross-field pass found Riyad Mahrez who cut inside and fired a left-footed shot into the corner.

Riyad Mahrez of Manchester City scores their side’s second goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Southampton at Etihad Stadium. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

On the stroke of half time, the hosts grabbed another goal. Mahrez drove into the box; dancing past a couple of Southampton defenders before striking the post. Ilkay Gundogan followed up and put the rebound into the net.

Second half

The Algerian continued his fine performance with another goal, hitting a powerful shot on the turn after Foden set him up in the box.

Che Adams reduced the deficit after some sloppy defending, before De Bruyne ran onto Foden’s lay-off and showing neat footwork to burst past a couple of defenders and finishing past McCarthy.

Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City scores their side’s fifth goal past Alex McCarthy of Southampton during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Southampton at Etihad Stadium. (Photo by Martin Rickett – Pool/Getty Images)

What it means

City opened up a 14-point gap at the top of the Premier League, having played a game more. Southampton remain 14th with 33 points, seven points clear of the drop-zone.

Stats

De Bruyne scored his 39th and 40th Premier League goals for the club in the 5-2 win.

Southampton have conceded 14 goals in visits to Manchester this season. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men have shipped 49 goals this season – only West Brom have conceded more.

Man City need just six more wins to win their third league title in four seasons.