Manchester City vs Southampton. Premier League.
Etihad Stadium.
Report and highlights as Manchester City extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to 14 points with 5-2 win over Southampton at the Etihad Stadium
Thursday 11 March 2021 05:59, UK
Manchester City returned to form with a thrilling 5-2 win over Southampton that moves them 14 points clear at the top of the table.
Saints took the game to the Premier League leaders but two goals apiece from Riyad Mahrez and Kevin De Bruyne underlined City's superior quality in an entertaining game.
De Bruyne's early effort had been cancelled out by James Ward-Prowse's penalty but goals from Mahrez and Ilkay Gundogan secured City a two-goal advantage at half-time.
There was even time for more VAR debate when Phil Foden appeared to be fouled by Alex McCarthy only to be denied a penalty - seemingly due to his own desire to stay on his feet.
But it did not cost City as further second-half goals from Mahrez and De Bruyne - either side of a Che Adams strike - ensured they shrugged off the derby defeat to Manchester United on Sunday, swiftly ending any talk of a dip in form. Southampton stay in 14th position.
The away side started much the brighter, dominating possession in the opening stages as their pressing game prevented City from settling into their usual passing rhythm.
But City were able to score from their first meaningful attack when Oleksandr Zinchenko raced away down the left, feeding Foden inside the penalty area.
Foden's shot was parried by McCarthy but the Saints goalkeeper could only push the ball into the path of De Bruyne who found the net via the underside of the crossbar.
Ralph Hasenhuttl's side were undeterred despite the setback and when Nathan Redmond found space in a central area his measured effort forced Ederson to concede a corner.
Jannik Vestergaard's header from the subsequent set play was blocked by the City goalkeeper but Aymeric Laporte pulled the defender back when he went for the follow-up.
Ward-Prowse duly converted the resulting penalty, slotting calmly beyond Ederson and parity was the least that Southampton deserved at that stage for an enterprising start.
Fortune did favour them on the half-hour mark, however, when McCarthy's poor control allowed Foden in on goal. The youngster appeared to be clipped by the goalkeeper as he attempted to take the ball round him but stayed on his feet and VAR did not intervene, much to the dismay of Pep Guardiola after the game.
City were aggrieved and there frustration would have only grown had Ederson not been able to tip a dipping long-range effort from Ward-Prowse over the bar soon after. Instead, some Mahrez magic changed the whole complexion of the match.
Firstly, he capitalised on a poor pass by Adams to curl the ball low into the corner of the net from 20 yards to restore City's advantage with five minutes of the half remaining.
In first-half stoppage time, the Algerian then struck the far post with a right-footed effort that bounced nicely back into the path of the onrushing Gundogan who did the rest.
Another mazy run from Mahrez looked to have ended any hope of a Southampton comeback when his dancing feet carried him inside before firing past McCarthy yet again.
But when Bernardo Silva uncharacteristically put his team in trouble at the other end, Adams was able to reduce the deficit. It did not stay that way for long.
With the game remarkably stretched, De Bruyne was through again for City. The Belgian's assured finish from the brilliant Foden's pass brought his second goal of the evening and City's fifth.
There were no further goals despite substitute Ferran Torres going close and Adams seeing an attempt ruled out for offside. Guardiola also giving a brief cameo appearance to his club's record scorer Sergio Aguero.
But the points had been decided by then. Manchester City's blip lasted just one game.
Foden did not score the goal that his performance deserved but he did everything but on his return to the starting line-up.
After playing a key role in the opening goal, he was unable to add one of his own due to the outstretched boot of McCarthy for which a penalty was controversially not awarded.
"I thought it was 100 per cent a penalty," Foden told Sky Sports afterwards. "I don't know what happened there."
He dealt with that disappointment to add a further two assists after the break. "I am giving the man of the match award to Phil Foden because of his tactical and technical maturity," said former Manchester City defender Andy Hinchcliffe on co-commentary for Sky Sports.
"It was another example with this performance of why he should be playing in each and every game. He has been brilliant."
City boss Pep Guardiola on Foden penalty claim: "Jon [Moss, referee] cannot see it, but the VAR is there, they don't whistle the penalty, it's incredible. For a long time, maybe four or five years, never complain about the referees, but this action really is in-cred-ib-le. In-cred-ib-le.
"The VAR exists for when the referee doesn't see the action, they can make a mistake, that's why they review. But if there is a review and they didn't whistle the penalty for this action, I don't understand. Honestly. The same with Fulham and Arsenal. Maybe one day they will explain rally the rule for all of the managers and players.
"Tough game. They make us suffer the most this season, without the ball. After two shots on target we scored two goals. Second half we were much, much better. Unfortunately with the 4-1 we concede a goal we could have conceded.
"In general, good, another victory, and now Fulham. The quality of our players won the game. This game belongs to the players. Riyad, Phil, Kevin, they won the game."
Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl: "We played quite well, I must say, even though we conceded five goals. When they win the ball it goes so quick.
"In the second half, when they get confident, then it looks horrible. You are always too late, they have so much quality. I must say it's absolutely OK what we did today.
"In the end it's not so interesting if you lose 1-0 or 5-2, this game I enjoy more than sitting back for 90 minutes and parking the bus. We showed how brave we can be with the ball against this side, this is our way. This is what I like to see and I enjoyed the game to be honest."
Manchester City now go to Fulham on Saturday at 8pm in the Premier League, before hosting Borussia Monchengladbach in the Champions League last-16 second leg in Budapest.
Southampton now host Brighton at midday on Sunday in the Premier League.
