De Bruyne, Mahrez score 2 as Man City beats Southampton 5-2

Manchester, Mar 11 (AP): Riyad Mahrez and Kevin De Bruyne both scored twice to lead Manchester City to a 5-2 victory over Southampton on Wednesday, moving 14 points clear at the top of the Premier League.
City was contentiously denied a penalty with the score 1-1 in the first half after goalkeeper Alex McCarthy was adjudged not to have fouled Phil Foden and VAR did not overrule.
But City responded to win convincingly as Mahrez put the hosts ahead and then set up Ilkay Gundogan to make it 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium before halftime. The Algerian added another after the break and De Bruyne scored the fifth after Che Adams had pulled one back.
De Bruyne also opened the scoring in the 15th minute with James Ward-Prowse replying from the penalty spot.
City appeared to be feeling the effects of Sunday’s Manchester derby loss that ended a 21-match wining run as the hosts began unusually sluggishly.
Yet for all their positivity, Saints were unable to create any clear-cut chances and they were caught out as City took the lead from its first serious attack.
The move was started by Ruben Dias, who picked out Oleksandr Zinchenko with a superb crossfield pass. Zinchenko then fed Foden and, although his shot was parried by McCarthy, De Bruyne was on hand to thump home off the underside of the bar.
Southampton quickly drew level. Jannik Vestergaard tested Ederson with a powerful header from a corner and was fouled by Laporte in the process. Referee Jon Moss pointed to the spot and Ward-Prowse fired down the middle.

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