LONDON (AFP) – Manchester City restored their 12-point lead at the top of the Premier League as Raheem Sterling’s hat-trick put Norwich to the sword 4-0, while Manchester United’s chances of just making the top four stumbled again in a 1-1 draw against Southampton on Saturday.
City boss Pep Guardiola took the chance to rotate his side ahead of the return of the Champions League in midweek with Kevin De Bruyne among those rested.
Conquering Europe is the priority for Guardiola, but the English champions are well on course for a fourth Premier League title in five years.
Norwich stunned City with a 3-2 win at Carrow Road when they were last in the top-flight, but their resistance lasted just 30 minutes until Sterling curled brilliantly into the far corner.
Phil Foden’s shot sneaked just over the line three minutes into the second half before Sterling made it 3-0, heading in Ruben Dias’ inviting knock-down.
Sterling sealed his hat-trick after Hanley was harshly adjudged to have brought down Liam Delap in the final minute.
The England international’s penalty was saved by Angus Gunn, but the rebound broke kindly for Sterling to complete a perfect hat-trick of a right foot, left foot and headed finishes.
“For his confidence it will be massive,” said Guardiola of Sterling, who has struggled at times this season to hold down his place in the team.
“The first goal is brilliant. When Raheem executes without thinking he is excellent.”
Liverpool have two games in hand to cut the gap, starting with a trip to Burnley, but a 15-game unbeaten league run has propelled City into a commanding position.
At the start of the season hopes were high on the other side of Manchester for a title challenge, but United are 23 points off the top and in increasing danger of failing to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
The Red Devils took the lead through Jadon Sancho’s first Premier League goal against Southampton at Old Trafford.
But, for the third consecutive game, United surrendered a lead to draw 1-1 when Che Adams slotted in off the inside of the post two minutes into the second half.
United are level on points with fourth placed West Ham, but Arsenal are just a point behind with two games in hand, while Tottenham have played three fewer games and are four points back.
“It was the third game where we were 1-0 up and I don’t think anyone out there should believe that the players don’t care,” United boss Ralf Rangnick said. “The question is with the group of players we have, how do we get more compact, more aggressive and even more nasty, it’s about defending a lead.”
At the bottom of the table, Everton secured just their second league win in 16 games in Frank Lampard’s home debut in charge with a dominant 3-0 victory over Leeds.
The Toffees looked transformed from the start and took the lead in the 10th minute when Seamus Coleman powered in a header from close range for his first goal in 80 games stretching back to 2019.
That was followed by another rare goalscorer as centre-back Michael Keane headed in from Anthony Gordon’s 23rd minute corner.
After suffering a damaging defeat at relegation rivals Newcastle in his first league game in charge, former Chelsea boss Lampard was able to celebrate three points when Gordon got the final touch on Richarlison’s shot in the 78th minute.
