Iheanacho hits brace as Mane’s hat-trick sinks City

Super Eagles striker, Kelechi Iheanacho, scored two goals on Sunday as Manchester City suffered a 4-2 loss to Southampton with Senegal international, Sadio Mane, scoring a hat trick for the home team.

The former junior international scored his first goal in the 44th minute of the game to half the deficit after goals from Shane Long and Mane had given Southampton a two-goal lead, as the first half ended 2-1.

The game was however turned on his head with Mane scoring two more goals in the second half to take the game beyond City who rested most of their first team players like Sergio Aguero.

Iheanacho however make the scoreline reasonable when he scored a brilliant goal in the 78th minute as the game ended 4-2.

The City forward was not particular about his goals but rather he lamented the heavy defeat.

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“Many things went wrong in our team. We didn’t defend well. I think we’re going to come stronger in the next game.

But we will put it behind us and focus on the Real Madrid game,” Iheanacho said.

Man City coach, Manuel Pellegrini, who reserved many of his regular players for the encounter because of the forthcoming UEFA Champions League semifinal match against Real Madrid, said the fixtures were too close for his team.

“I’m very frustrated because I didn’t expect that performance – especially in defence. At least four of them [Sunday’s line-up] are not playing regularly.

“I think we could’ve played on Saturday and named a stronger team. But in this case we had to prioritise Wednesday’s game [against Real Madrid],” he said.

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