Leaders Manchester City showed that their weekend derby loss was a blip as Kevin de Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez both scored twice in a 5-2 win over Southampton in the Premier League on Thursday (NZ time).
City's 21-match winning streak in all competitions was interrupted by a 2-0 defeat by Manchester United but normal service was quickly resumed at the Etihad Stadium, as they opened up a 14-point gap at the top.
After a slow start, City went ahead with their first attack, when De Bruyne pounced to convert a rebound in the 15th minute, only for James Ward-Prowse to equalise from the penalty spot.
Mahrez restored City's lead and Ilkay Gundogan made it 3-1 in first-half stoppage time, before Mahrez produced another clinical finish 10 minutes after the interval.
Che Adams replied for an adventurous Southampton but De Bruyne grabbed his second of the night shortly afterwards, as City looked like scoring every time they attacked.
City have 68 points from 29 games with Manchester United on 54 from one game fewer.
Southampton, who played impressive football at times, have 33 points from 28 games and are only seven points above the relegation zone after a ninth defeat in 11 games
Reuters
