Mane hat-trick overshadows Iheanacho brace

Manchester City’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League remain in the balance as a brilliant Sadio Mane hat-trick secured Southampton an easy win. 

Shane Long struck at the near post and Mane doubled the lead from 10 yards before City’s Kelechi Iheanacho scored.

Mane then pounced twice to make sure of the win – reacting quickly as Jose Fonte’s header came off the crossbar and converting Dusan Tadic’s pass.

Iheanacho found the top-right corner late on but the match was all but over.

The victory ensures Southampton – five points adrift of sixth-place West Ham with two games remaining – can still qualify for next season’s Europa League, though their chances appear slim.

City remain fourth – three points behind third-placed Arsenal, who have played a game more, and four ahead of fifth-placed Manchester United, who drew against leaders Leicester at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Manuel Pellegrini’s team still have a comfortable cushion over their city rivals, but face a defining week, with the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid on Wednesday followed by a tussle with Arsenal in the league four days later.

Pellegrini had said it was “unbelievable” that the Premier League had refused to move this late kick-off forward to aid his team against a Real side who have had 24 hours extra rest after playing on Saturday.

Having secured a 0-0 draw at home against Real, the Champions League semi-final is evenly poised, but this defeat – their 10th in the league – and the manner of it will not be ideal preparation.

In another game, Leicester must wait to claim the Premier League title after being held to a 1-1 draw with Manchester United in a pulsating clash at Old Trafford.

Needing victory on Sunday to claim the first top-flight title in their 132-year history, Claudio Ranieri’s side started nervously and they were behind in the eighth minute after Anthony Martial’s ninth league goal of the season.

But the visitors showed the character that has underpinned their campaign so far, levelling the scores nine minutes later thanks to captain Wes Morgan’s header.