Benjamin Mendy sprints to celebrate Manchester City goal despite ruptured knee

Nov. 30 (UPI) -- It might have been ill-advised, but Manchester City's Benjamin Mendy showed off his toughness by running the sideline despite having a ruptured ACL.

The City left back was watching the game from the home bench Wednesday at Etihad Stadium. City went up 1-0 in the 47th minute on a Kevin De Bruyne score off of a free kick. Southampton's Oriol Romeu tied the match in the 75th minute when he hit in a strike from about eight yards out.

But City conquered Southampton in stoppage time when Raheem Sterling bent in a rip from outside of the box. Sterling collected the ball just to the left of the half circle. He took one touch to settle it down and fired it toward the far post, beating a diving Fraser Forster.

The City sideline erupted after the decisive score, chasing after Sterling. One of those crazed teammates was Mendy. The 23-year-old defender limped and ran at the same time to catch up with the crew in jubilation.

"Mendy is crazy," City manager Pep Guardiola told reporters after the game. "He has a six month injury and is running. Disaster."

Mendy suffered ligament damage in his knee on Sept. 23 against Crystal Palace. He was expected to be sidelined until April but he has posted updates on his progress, including videos of himself kicking a soccer ball.

"Ruptured ACL but who cares after a 95th minute winner," Mendy tweeted on a video of the celebration after the game. "#LookAtMeRunning."

City hosts West Ham at 11 a.m. Sunday in another Premier League matchup at Etihad Stadium. The Sky Blues have now won a dozen consecutive league games.