adminLondon. — Sadio Mane bagged a hat-trick in a vibrant display of attacking football from Southampton that swept aside Manchester City 4-2 and left the visitors facing a scramble to secure Champions League qualification.
The defeat, just three days before their semi-final second leg against Real Madrid, was never in doubt from the moment Shane Long capitalised on a Dusan Tadic assist in the 25th-minute.
The Serb also set up two of the goals for Senegalese striker Mane who pounced after 28, 57 and 68 minutes to complete his second hat-trick of a prolific season which has yielded 14 goals.
Although City countered with a brace from Kelechi Iheanacho in the 44th and 78th minutes, Saints never let their grip slip on a victory which kept them in the hunt for a Europa League place.
Fourth-placed City lead Manchester United by just four points and their neighbours have a game in hand.
Saints fans serenaded them with a chorus of: “Gareth Bale, he’s coming for you”. Few of those selected by Manuel Pellegrini, who made eight changes to the team which held Real Madrid to a goalless draw, can expect a place in the team in the second leg.
Indeed, very few can expect to be part of Pep Guardiola’s plans assuming the he is scrutinising performances before his arrival in Manchester next season. With the obvious exception of Iheanacho, no-one in light blue caught the eye. At least, not in a good way. — AFP/DailyMail.
Online Reporter