Manchester City were back to winning ways after their Manchester Derby loss as they thumped Southampton 5-2 at the Etihad on Wednesday to go 14 points clear at the top of the table with a brace from Mahrez and De Bruyne and a strike from Gündogan while Ward-Prowse and Adams got on the scoresheet for the visitors.
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It was the Saints who began on the brighter note and dominated possession for the first 10 minutes with quick passing and taking the game to City, but they lacked in the final third, and just then City made them pay.
De Bruyne and Mahrez duo effect
It was the Belgian international who opened the scoring for the hosts with a smash and grab finish.
A lovely diagonal ball was sent to Zinchenko, whose cross was met by Foden. His shot was denied by McCarthy but De Bruyne was present to gobble up the rebound to make it 1-0.
This goal sparked City into life as thy began finding their feet in the game.
Southampton were gifted a chance to get back on terms as Laporte fouled Vestergaard in the box, whose initial header was brilliantly kept out by Ederson; to concede a penalty which was safely dispatched by Ward-Prowse down the middle of the goal for 1-1.
Ward-Prowse had another stinger of a shot when he struck a 30 yarder at goal which Ederson tipped over the bar.
The home side did not let the score line stay the same as Adams sent the ball straight to Mahrez as he looked to switch play. The Algerian punished the away side with a powerful shot past McCarthy to make it 2-1.
Before Southampton could recover from this, Gündogan made it 3-1 when he tucked away the rebound off the post, which Mahrez had struck as the half ended.
Southampton were pegged back very quickly within the last few minutes of the half but they were impressive in their approach towards the opposition.
Mahrez one again was present to make it 4-1 in the 55th minute as he got onto the ball from Foden, before skipping past two challenges and drilling past McCarthy, which was the killer blow.
The Saints were still not worried and kept pressing and within a minute struck back with Adams, who reacted quickest to the ricocheted ball off himself to slam home.
Once again with the pace of the game being so high, City were not far from goal and in the 59th minute, Kevin De Bruyne completed his brace for the night as he fired home off Foden’s touch.
It was five of the best from City as they went looking hungry for more.
The Saints were deflated after the concession of the 4th goal conceded and were done for the day.
Torres and Silva had their chances before full time to get on the scoresheet but could not get their shots on target.
As the final whistle blew, it was all smiles for City as they went 14 points clear at the top of the table with this 5-2 win.
The magic of Gündogan- De Bruyne was on show and took effect in this victory.
