CITY RECOVER FROM SLOW START TO SINK SAINTS
KEVIN DE BRUYNE and Riyad Mahrez each scored twice as Manchester City recovered from a sluggish start and a refereeing controversy to beat Southampton. Manager Pep Guardiola was left furious when the runaway Premier League leaders were denied a first-half penalty with the score delicately balanced at 1-1. But City responded to win convincingly as Mahrez put them ahead and then set up Ilkay Gundogan to make it 3-1 at the Etihad before half-time. A fright every so often does them good, says the manager, but it was somewhat surprising to contend with one for 40 minutes or so last night. ‘The first 15 minutes, they were the best team we’ve faced,’ said Guardiola. ‘We suffered. You have to win these games. That’s why I love the Premier League.’ De Bruyne had given City a 15th-minute lead, bundling in after Phil Foden’s effort had been kept out by Alex McCarthy. But City conspired to concede an equaliser eight minutes later, James Ward-Prowse converting a from the penalty spot. City were then denied their own spot-kick when Foden had his left foot taken away by McCarthy. Guardiola was fuming, saying: ‘It is incredible that penalty was not given. One day, they are going to explain why. I don’t understand it.’ Mahrez calmed matters by putting City in front on 40 minutes with a fine finish and, although the post denied him a second goal moments later, Gundogan was on hand to follow up. Poor Saints’ defending allowed Mahrez to fire in his second ten minutes into the second half, although Che Adams pulled one back immediately. But De Bruyne was able to slide in a fifth. Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl said: ‘If you make mistakes, City are unbelievable. World class.’ That is the difference. And why this magnificent City machine will romp the league.