LONDON: Manchester City moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League as Raheem Sterling inspired a 3-1 win over Bournemouth, while Manchester United’s problems mounted as they escaped with a 2-2 draw at lowly Southampton.
Pep Guardiola’s side racked up their sixth successive league win Saturday thanks to a second half surge after Bournemouth shocked the Etihad Stadium. City hold a significant lead over second placed Liverpool, but they can close the gap back to two points if they beat Everton in the Merseyside derby at Anfield on Sunday.
Guardiola left City’s record goal-scorer Sergio Aguero out of the squad, but even the Argentine star’s absence couldn’t halt the champions’ momentum.
City had scored 40 goals in their previous 13 league games and it took them just 16 minutes to shatter Bournemouth’s resistence as Bernardo Silva bagged his second goal of the season.
While City remain the team to beat this season, their rivals United remain in turmoil after their winless league run extended to three games.
Jose Mourinho’s side desperately needed a victory at St Mary’s to stay in the hunt for a top four finish, but they ended up relieved to avoid defeat after falling two goals behind against third bottom Saints. (AFP)
