Southampton vs. Manchester City: Score, Reaction from 2016 Premier League Game

Sadio Mane guided Southampton to a 4-2 win over Manchester City during Sunday’s Premier League action, scoring a hat-trick against a weakened Citizens squad.   

Shane Long and Mane scored just minutes apart to hand the hosts a two-goal lead, but Kelechi Iheanacho pulled one back for City just before half-time. Mane struck again after the break to restore the lead and completed his hat-trick a few minutes later, and Iheanacho’s second goal came too late to influence the outcome of the match.

Unsurprisingly, the Citizens gave some of their top stars a rest with an eye on the UEFA Champions League clash with Real Madrid in midweek. As shared by the club’s official Twitter account, Sergio Aguero, Kevin De Bruyne and Vincent Kompany all missed out on a spot in the starting XI:

A reminder of your #mcfc XI for today. @NieldyMCFC in position to bring you #saintsvcity updates! Let’s do it, lads! pic.twitter.com/AcFi5mE9ny

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) May 1, 2016

Southampton came into this match with plenty still to play for, as UEFA Europa League qualification is still possible for the Saints, and the hosts took control of the ball early.

Mane tried his luck with an early shot from just outside the box, but it barely troubled Joe Hart. City kept most of their players inside their own half, and Southampton looked comfortable in possession, even if chances were few in the first 10 minutes.

Mane and Jordy Clasie were the main danger men for the hosts, but the former should have picked out the latter after a lovely move instead of going for glory and missing the target completely.

Meanwhile, Dusan Tadic was winning just about every battle every time he split out wide, and he nearly found Long with an inviting cross, only to be denied by Eliaquim Mangala. Bleacher Report’s Sam Tighe liked what he saw from Tadic:

When Tadic is hot, my oh my is he effective. Appreciate City are nosediving here but Tadic is really purring. #saintsfc

— Sam Tighe (@stighefootball) May 1, 2016

Long …

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