Man City cruise to win over Saints, Newcastle maintain top-four push

LONDON :Manchester City cut Arsenal's Premier League lead to five points after Erling Haaland scored twice in a 4-1 win over bottom side Southampton, while Newcastle United edged closer to a return to the Champions League for the first time in 20 years.

Haaland was at his sublime best on his return from injury and he signed off with a stunning bicycle kick that took his league tally to 30 goals in 27 games - five goals shy of breaking the Premier League record.

"I think our bosses bought him for this type of game, we are uncomfortable and not playing at our best level but he gets the goal," City boss Pep Guardiola said.

"The second you can't imagine at his height he has this ability. Exceptional goal!"

Kevin De Bruyne also became the fastest player to notch up 100 Premier League assists (237 games) while Jack Grealish scored in successive games for the first time this season to leave Southampton four points from the safety zone.

Leaders Arsenal play Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday where the London side seek a first league win since 2012.

Manchester United maintained their top-four pursuit while at the bottom there were vital victories for Bournemouth and West Ham United.

Leicester City's plight worsened as the 2015-16 Premier League champions suffered a seventh defeat in eight league games as they lost 1-0 at home to Bournemouth to stay 19th.

Newcastle suffered a big scare in south west London as they were off the pace at Brentford, who were given a thoroughly-deserved halftime lead by Ivan Toney's penalty after he had missed one earlier in the game.

But Eddie Howe's side hit back after the interval with Joelinton's attempted cross going in off goalkeeper David Raya's foot before Swedish striker Alexander Isak, who had conceded