Raheem Sterling struck a 96th-minute winner for Manchester City as the Premier League leaders restored their eight-point advantage at the summit with a 2-1 win over Southampton at the Etihad Stadium.

Sterling, who has been on fire this season, scored for the third time in as many matches to break Southampton hearts at the death.

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The 22-year-old’s curling winner beat Fraser Forster, who had a standout game in the Southampton goal, and sparked wild celebrations on the City bench.

Pep Guardiola’s side, chasing their 12th Premier League win on the trot, included both Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero in the starting XI, with Sterling for company on the wing.

David Silva was given rest in midfield as Kevin De Bruyne, Fernandinho and Ilkay Gundogan started in the middle of the park for the hosts.

Despite having a bevy of stars in their lineup, it was the visitors who would have the first major chance of the game.

Ryan Bertrand’s corner was flicked on at the near-post and the ball fell to Wesley Hoedt, but the Dutchman headed effort hit the post, much to the relief of the home crowd.
Stung by the fact that they had almost conceded, the Sky Blues proceeded to bombard Forster’s goal and with Sterling and Fernandinho testing the hulking shot-stopper’s reach as the match progressed.

Southampton continued to pose a threat on set-pieces and Maya Yoshida should have given the Saints a shock lead when Virgin van Djik headed a corner into his path but the Japanese defender somehow sent his effort over the bar.

As the sides went into the dressing rooms at the half-time break with the scores deadlocked, City had been the dominant side by far but Southampton had seen a few chances of their own.
The Saints, playing with a five-man defence, had successfully frustrated the hosts but all their good work was undone within scant minutes of the restart.

De Bruyne’s free-kick was guided into the back of the net by Nicolas Otamendi’s outstretched boot in the 47th minute and City had the lead they desperately sought.

City, who are the only team to have scored 40+ goals in the Premier League, weren’t content with their slender advantage and continued to probe the Saints’ defence but Forster stood firm.

Foster came to the fore once again when Aguero slipped in Jesus for a one-on-one and the 6’7 custodian would deny City again when De Bruyne let loose from distance.

Southampton manager Manuel Pellegrino sent on Sofiane Boufal after the hour-mark and the winger would have the desired impact within 10 minutes of his introduction.

The Moroccan’s exquisite first-touch inside the box enabled him to beat Fabian Delph and lay it on a plate for Oriol Romeu to slam home with less than 15 minutes left in the tie.

City poured forward on every opportunity but as the visitors held firm, it looked like they would drop points for the first time since August.

Up stepped Sterling to keep their winning streak intact, much to the dismay of the visiting Southampton fans.

City have a points tally of 40 from 14 games, with second-placed Manchester United eight points behind.

The Citizens next face misfiring West Ham United at the Etihad on Sunday and if they keep winning like they are, the Premier League title will be theirs before long.

Eleventh-placed Southampton can take heart from their display on Wednesday for they very nearly restricted a free-scoring City side to a solitary goal and they next travel to Bournemouth on Sunday.