Erling Haaland scored twice after the break as Manchester City defeated Southampton 4-1 at St. Mary’s to keep their title aspirations alive.
Before Jack Grealish added a second goal after the break, the Norwegian striker opened the scoring with a header on the 45th minute mark.
Sekou Mara was the only visitor who could answer Haaland’s bicycle-kick goal, which gave him the league’s most goals with 30.
79. Sensational! 🤯
— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 8, 2023
😇 1-4 🐝 #ManCity pic.twitter.com/8DAoFSjXBh
That was quickly cancelled out when Kevin De Bruyne drew a penalty, allowing Haaland’s substitute Julian Alvarez to share the glory as he fired in the spot-kick.
One of Haaland’s 28 goals going into Saturday’s contest came in the reverse fixture at the Etihad Stadium in October against a Saints side then managed by Ralph Hasenhuttl.
Two managers later, and with the sides separated by 41 points, Ruben Selles’ men looked to get something started early on a sunny south coast evening when Carlos Alcaraz took possession at the right of the area but found himself without a viable option at the far post as he sent the ball across the face of goal.
City tested Gavin Bazunu inside the first five minutes, Ilkay Gundogan finding Grealish who forced a good save out of the Saints shot-stopper with a drive from 15 yards out.
The visitors were on the brink of danger when an alert Kamaldeen Sulemana intercepted De Bruyne’s short corner inside his own half and broke free with Nathan Ake in hot pursuit.