Riyad Mahrez sets personal record in latest Manchester City purple patch

The latest enemy for FPL managers up and down the country is the dreaded 'Pep Roulette'.

Pep Guardiola is known for his tendency to endlessly rotate his starting lineup, and this causes headaches for every owner of a Manchester City star in the virtual world of coaching.

But one man has managed to dodge Pep Roulette for the past half a dozen games, and in doing so, has broken his own personal record. Riyad Mahrez has become the latest 'undroppable' component in the Man City team, and he once again shone in the Citizens' clash with Southampton on Wednesday evening.

The Algerian winger started his sixth consecutive league game for Man City against Saints - the first time he has achieved such a run in the side since arriving from Leicester City in 2018. And he has repaid Guardiola's faith over the past month with goals and assists galore.

Mahrez marked his start against Everton in trademark style, bending an extraordinary curling shot into Jordan Pickford's far post. He followed that up with the all-important assist in a 1-0 victory over Arsenal, and provided another vital pass in the 2-1 win over West Ham United.

The tricky winger also added another goal to his collection during Man City's comfortable win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, and was denied another assist due to an offside flag. He may have feared for his spot after blanking against Manchester United, but Guardiola stood by his man, and he reaped the rewards in a vintage display against Saints.

Mahrez put Man City back in front on Wednesday evening with a sumptuous effort, whipping and fizzing a drilled effort inside the far post with frightening ease and accuracy. That strike was the 50th left-footed goal of his Premier League career - a feat that only six other players have achieved in the top flight.

He recorded another assist to supply Ilkay Gundogan, and then completed a brace with left-footed goal number 51, which was equally as delicious as the first. That took his tally up to four goals and three assists in only six matches.

The bloke is on fire.

The winger has often been the man sacrificed by Guardiola and has not always been relied upon in the biggest occasions, but all the signs are pointing to the fact that the Spanish coach now trusts Mahrez to deliver on a consistent basis.

The only thing stopping him from making appearance number seven in a row is the FPL world transferring him in this week, only to fall foul of Pep Roulette.