EPL: Haaland Hits 30th Goal As Man City Thrash Lowly Southampton

Norwegian striker Erling Haaland struck twice as Manchester City crushed Southampton 4-1 to close the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal on Saturday.

Haaland took his Premier League goal tally to 30 this season, within four of the single-season record, thanks to a clinical header and a breathtaking overhead kick at St Mary's.

The Norway forward's goals, which gave him 44 in all competitions this term, came to either side of Jack Grealish's strike against the league's bottom club.

Julian Alvarez netted with a late penalty as second-placed City moved within five points of Arsenal, who travel to Liverpool on Sunday.

Arsenal remain firm favourites to end City's reign as champions but with Haaland in this mood and a home game against the Gunners to come on 26 April, there is no chance Pep Guardiola's side will surrender without a fight.

"The second goal was amazing. It is not easy to pick the ball up in the sky and put it on the grass," Guardiola said.

"The first half was not our best level but he changed the game. We lived two incredible decades with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi but he is on that level."