Erling Haaland scored twice on his return from damage as Manchester City closed the hole on Arsenal on the prime of the Premier League to 5 factors by beating Southampton 4-1 on Saturday.
Restored to the aspect after overcoming a groin downside, Haaland opened the floodgates by heading residence within the ultimate minute of the primary half.
Jack Grealish doubled City’s lead earlier than Haaland’s acrobatic overhead strike took his tally to 44 objectives in a exceptional debut season with the English champion.
But the Norwegian was denied one other hat-trick as he had been substituted by the point Julian Alvarez scored City’s fourth from the penalty spot.
Sekou Mara had pulled a purpose again for Southampton by then, nevertheless it stay rooted to the foot of the desk and 4 factors adrift of security.
Pep Guardiola was true to his phrase that he was not fascinated by Tuesday’s Champions League quarterfinal, first leg in opposition to Bayern Munich as Haaland’s return was the one change from the aspect that thrashed Liverpool 4-1 final weekend.
But the guests didn’t hit the identical heights for the primary 45 minutes and will have been punished in opposition to a aspect with extra firepower than the Saints.
Kamaldeen Sulemana had one of the best likelihood to provide Ruben Selles’ males a shock lead when he beat Kevin De Bruyne to the ball and sprinted clear into the City half.
However, Nathan Ake did nicely to slender the angle earlier than Ederson raced off his line to divert the ball to security.
Haaland was extra forgiving than he usually is by giving Southampton a let-off as he powered a header broad on the again publish from a deflected cross.
But he made no mistake with an identical alternative simply earlier than half-time when he stooped to fulfill De Bruyne’s cross.
City went by the gears after the break as an eighth consecutive win in all competitions stored Guardiola’s males within the hunt for a treble of trophies.
Grealish is having fun with his finest kind since a £100 million ($124 million) transfer from Aston Villa in 2021 made him the Premier League’s most costly ever participant on the time.
He fired in on the second try after his first effort was saved by Gavin Bazunu.
Grealish turned creator for the third as his cross was completed in spectacular vogue by Haaland with an overhead kick for his thirtieth Premier League purpose of the season.
That was the striker’s ultimate contact as he then made manner for Alvarez for the ultimate 20 minutes with one eye on Bayern’s go to in midweek.
Mara briefly gave the house help one thing to cheer when he steered residence Moussa Djenepo’s cross.
But City restored their three-goal cushion simply three minutes later when De Bruyne was bundled over contained in the field.
The Belgian stood apart to permit Alvarez to fireside residence his 14th purpose of the season regardless of largely taking part in second fiddle to Haaland.
Liverpool has tended to be City’s title rival within the Guardiola period.
But will probably be hoping for a favour from its previous foes on Sunday when Arsenal goes to Anfield hoping for its first away league win in opposition to Liverpool in 11 years.
