SOUTHAMPTON, England (Reuters) – Erling Haaland netted a brilliant bicycle kick as he scored a brace on his return to Manchester City’s starting lineup after injury in a 4-1 Premier League win at bottom side Southampton on Saturday to keep the pressure on leaders Arsenal.
Haaland shook off any signs of rust by opening the scoring for the visitors in the final minute of the first half, meeting Kevin De Bruyne’s cross with a powerful close-range header that gave Southampton keeper Gavin Bazunu no chance.
Jack Grealish made it 2-0 in the 58th minute, sprinting onto another sublime pass from De Bruyne before firing a left-foot shot that Bazunu saved, only for the winger to slam home the rebound with his right to double City’s advantage.
Grealish turned provider 10 minutes later, racing away down the left before chipping a cross to Haaland, which the Norwegian acrobatically volleyed home for his 30th league goal of the season.
He was replaced by Julian Alvarez and though Southampton pulled a goal back through substitute Sekou Mara in the 72nd minute, they conceded a penalty almost immediately and Alvarez restored City’s three-goal lead from the spot.
City remain second on 67 points, five behind Arsenal after 29 games of the 38-game season, with the Gunners set to take on Liverpool on Sunday. Southampton are bottom on 23 points, four behind Everton in 17th.
(Reporting by Philip O’Connor; Editing by Toby Davis)
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