Man City extend lead at top, Man United salvage draw
Manchester City maintained their unbeaten run with a 3-1 win over Bournemouth to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table as Manchester United fought back to salvage a 2-2 draw at Southampton on Saturday.
City top the standings by five points from Liverpool who face Everton in the Merseyside derby yesterday after Tottenham Hotspur, who are third, face north London rivals Arsenal.
Crystal Palace beat Burnley 2-0 to end a run of eight matches without a win and there were victories for Leicester City, West Ham United and Brighton & Hove Albion.
City were without Sergio Aguero, Kevin de Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez at the Etihad but normal service resumed as they took the lead against Bournemouth after 16 minutes through Bernardo Silva.
The visitors went into halftime level, however, thanks to a header from in-form England striker Callum Wilson.
Bournemouth’s hopes of a stunning upset were dashed as the champions struck again with goals by Raheem Sterling and Ilkay Guendogan.
“Bournemouth are a good side, so strong up front, so we could not press,” City manager Pep Guardiola said. “They played long balls, attacked the channels. They were taller than us and stronger than us.
“In the last 20 minutes we were flat and that is why I am delighted to win in that way.” Guardiola’s side are 16 points ahead of neighbours United whose poor season continued with a draw against struggling Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium.
-REUTERS