60 points an ’impressive’ number for Pep Guardiola as Tottenham stumble

London - Manchester City surged 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League with a 2-0 win against Brentford, while Tottenham's top four bid suffered a blow in a dramatic 3-2 defeat against Southampton on Wednesday.

Pep Guardiola's side extended their unbeaten run in the league to 14 matches thanks to Riyad Mahrez's first half penalty and Kevin De Bruyne's strike after the interval at the Etihad Stadium.

City were held to a 1-1 draw at Southampton in their previous league game, but they got back on track to pile the pressure on second placed Liverpool, who host Leicester on Thursday in one of their two games in hand on the champions.

City made six changes to the team that beat Fulham in the FA Cup last weekend, with Jack Grealish and Kyle Walker dropped just days after Guardiola was forced to defend the pair for a night out in Manchester.

Footage on social media showing Grealish, Walker and Mahrez outside a venue in Manchester.

But Guardiola did not have an issue with his players, joking that they would be fined for failing to invite him.

City were unaffected by the fuss as they dominated from start to finish, finally making the breakthrough after 40 minutes.

Raheem Sterling's run drew a rash sliding tackle from Mads Roerslav, conceding a penalty that Algeria winger Mahrez converted emphatically.

City scored the killer second goal in the 69th minute when Brentford keeper David Raya passed straight to Sterling.

Although Raya saved Sterling's shot, Kevin De Bruyne pounced on the rebound and stroked a cool finish into the empty net.

"I'm very satisfied with the performance. It's difficult when they defend deep with 10 players," Guardiola said.

"Liverpool have two games to play, then we see the gap. Everyone is tough