Manchester City – Liverpool

1. <b>Join us at 2000 BST for a pressure clash between two clubs with a lot to aim for.</b>

2. <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2010/0818/robertomancini20100814_275x155.jpg">

3. The pressure is already mounting. Read our preview <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=293044&cc=5739" target="_blank">here</a>

4. Hi all, and welcome to our coverage of Man City v Liverpool this lovely Monday night. If you're in the US, you can watch on ESPN 2, and of course you can keep up to date right here.

5. Team news is interesting. No Mascherano for Liverpool <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=816976&sec=england&cc=5739" target="_blank">as he is going on strike</a> over a move to Barcelona. Lucas comes in for him.

6. Agger is fit enough to play at left-back after a concussion and Ngog keeps his place with Fernando Torres also given a start.

7. City continue their central midfield domination with De Jong, Toure and Barry all in there and £18 million worth of James Milner shoved onto the wing.

8. Carlos Tevez is up front on his own, with Johnson and Milner alongside him. No room for David Silva or Emmanuel Adebayor.

9. No Mario Balotelli either, which is a shame as I have money on a sending off. He's struggling with a knee injury.

10. It'll be interesting to see how both sides attack in this game, it's an early chance to get some points on the board against a rival. Liverpool are certainly on the attack with a 4-4-2 formation.

11. It's a clear night up north, no rain around so the conditions should be favourable. Let's hope for another six-goal game...

12. Carlos Tevez has the captain's armband again. Not sure I'd want someone who has publicly said he's on the verge of retiring because he has lost his passion as my skipper...

13. The form book says Liverpool as they were pretty decent until they let Arsenal back into their 1-1 draw, and City was not great against Spurs. If Liverpool can beat Joe Hart they are in with a good shout.

14. Here we go. The players are ready for kick-off.

15. Liverpool kick-off.

16. 1'

    Liverpool open up with a spell of possession. Then Agger heads it away to Joe Hart.

17. 1'

    Good work down the left by Lescott for City, but the door is closed quickly. Looks like Yaya Toure is playing in a more attacking role.. odd.

18. 2'

    In fact he's at the peak of a midfield diamond. Is Mancini a genius? Toure is hardly an attacking midfielder

19. 2'

    Torres tries to work some magic in the box, but that's a great tackle by Barry.

20. 3'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Martin Skrtel hammers into Johnson on the wing. In the book.

21. 3'

    Liverpool look to break, but Lucas wastes the ball forward. What a shock.

22. 4'

    Johnson is cauing problems down the right hand side. Shirt pulling gets him another free-kick and he's looked bright so far.

23. 5'

    Worst shot of the year so far? Ngog tries to curl it from a horizontal pass and it dribbles along the floor into Hart's arms. Not sure it even counts as a shot.

24. 6'

    Milner looking a little frustrated already.. he's stuck out on the left wing for a change. Probably not used to that side of the pitch.

25. 7'

    Poor clearance from Hart finds Jovanovic, but his square ball is cut out by City players tracking back. Almost an opening there.

26. 8'

    Great shot from Johnson. Picks it up from De Jong about 30 yards out and he hammers it just past the far post.

27. 9'

    He's been the player of the game so far, that was very impressive.

28. 9'

    Gerrard trying to pull the strings in midfield and is getting on the ball a bit more. His ball forward is mopped up with ease though - he'll need more than that.

29. 10'

    Yaya Toure is blowing already... it's only ten mins gone. Evidently he's not used to the more advanced role.

30. 11'

    Torres tries a clever trick on the touchline, but just knocks the ball out of play. A big cheer from the fans who were hoping he would sign for their side this summer.

31. 12'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Wonderful goal from Barry. Johnson slid the ball to Milner, who crossed and Barry was there to stab it home.

32. 12'

    Down, in part, to some good work from Yaya Toure up front. Quick feet and he set up Johnson who created the space and the killer pass.

33. 13'

    So City take the advantage and Toure finds Tevez now bursting forward. His shot hits the side netting though.

34. 14'

    You have to say that if Liverpool had a proper left-back, instead of poor old Dan Agger forced to play there, then they might have done something about that goal. Good movement from City though.

35. 15'

    City look dangerous on the break and Liverpool are just struggling to get into the final third.

36. 15'

    Bit of a mix-up between Kompany and Hart as the defender clears from just in front of his keeper. City inviting some pressure now.

37. 16'

    Tevez looking to take control up front, but his long pass is overhit and they have to build again.

38. 17'

    Quick question... is Dirk Kuyt actually playing? I'm sure he's on the pitch somewhere, but hasn't had a kick in the opening exchanges.

39. 18'

    Terrible overhit free-kick from City again, but Agger kindly heads it away for a throw deep in the Liverpool half.

40. 19'

    City are comfortable on the ball now, playing with patience. They don't have to attack as they have the important goal.

41. 20'

    Lescott held up City's counter attack there by dwelling on the ball, that was poor. Milner does well to get a ball across and Barry eventually smashes well wide from some distance out.

42. 22'

    City playing the possession game now and Liverpool really aren't looking sharp when they get on the ball. Johnson causing Agger all kinds of problems down the right.

43. 23'

    Torres again show he's off the pace as he tries to take the ball past De Jong but loses it and then falls over theatrically.

44. 24'

    Liverpool just haveb't recovered from the goal and aren't getting a kick. Good work from Yaya Toure who is linking the play and dropping back to mop up when needed.

45. 25'

    Tevez putting plenty of pressure on the Liverpool defenders and it's proving tough work for Lucas and Gerrard to make an impact when they are being outnumbered.

46. 26'

    Richards uses his power to get the best of Jovanovic. Liverpool have hardly attacked down the flanks, so that may be his first touch.

47. 27'

    Tevez makes a fool of Carragher just inside the box with some nifty footwork, but Agger comes across to help out and manages to get it away from him.

48. 28'

    Liverpool's narrow shape is exposed there as they try to attack and then lose the ball when trying to pass through about five City players within ten yards of each other.

49. 29'

    Barry lifts the ball into the box, but Tevez can't get his head on it. If Adebayor was on the pitch that could have been good.

50. 30'

    Relentless City pressure. Johnson causing havoc and Carragher has to clear from inside the six yard box. Agger now leaps to head the ball clear from Yaya Toure.

51. 31'

    First Ngog is tackled by Barry, then when the ball breaks, he gets it away from the advancing Kuyt. Two for the price of one.

52. 32'

    That sums it up for Liverpool. Richards loses the ball when trying to keep it in play, Jovanovic picks it up and promptly runs it out of play when he was free down the right.

53. 33'

    Danger as Gerrard fizzes it across the box. Ngog picks it up, takes it past Lescott and has a shot, but Hart is comfortable down to his left.

54. 34'

    Yaya Toure is having a good game, he spreads the play well and then charges forward to add more bodies to the attack. Tevez overhits his throughball though.

55. 36'

    Liverpool are finding their feet a little more now and stringing a few passes together. They do seem to be missing Joe Cole's creativity though.

56. 36'

    City break away and Johnson runs right at Agger. He cuts inside and has a shot, which is tipped round the post by Reina. Goal kick given though.

57. 37'

    Wonderful tackle by Richards on Jovanovic as the Serb tried to take it past him.

58. 38'

    Glen Johnson now tries to lift the ball into the box, but Hart claims with ease. He hasn't really had much to do thus far.

59. 39'

    Richards uses his strength at the other end now to barge over Agger. He slips the ball inside to Tevez, who takes it past his man, but can't get his shot past Carragher.

60. 40'

    Richards in the action again as his leap from the corner sees the ball fly over the bar. Not by much though.

61. 41'

    Tevez is being given far too much space to take the ball and turn. Ngog and Torres are being rushed and lose the ball more often than they hold onto it at the moment.

62. 42'

    Yaya Toure is down with a head injury. Skrtel went crashing into him and it could have been knee/forearm/hip that knocked him down. He's a big bloke though, so he's not down for long.

63. 43'

    Liverpool get an opening. Jovanovic gets space and isolates Richards against Torres. He cuts inside and finds Gerrard on the edge of the box - wasted by the skipper though as it flies wide.

64. 45'

    One minute extra-time.

65. 45'

    Torres bursts past his man, that's encouraging, but Kompany cuts him off at the pass.

66. 45'

    <b>HT.</b> City have had the best of the game and certainly the chances. Liverpool came back a little towards the end, but Milner, Johnson and Barry have been the difference so far.

67. 45'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2010/0823/garethbarryteamceleb20100823_275x155.jpg"><br> Gareth Barry celebrates his strike.

68. 45'

    <b>Richard Jolly will be bringing us a report on the game after full-time, so stay tuned for that after the second half.</b>

69. 45'

    <b>Second Half</b>. Man City kick off.

70. 45'

    City give the ball away right away from the kick-off. Not a good start.

71. 46'

    Messy play down the City right as both sides try and get hold of the bal. Not vintage stuff.

72. 47'

    Tevez and City are putting a lot of pressure on the Liverpool defence when they have the ball. It works, as they are forced to clear quickly.

73. 48'

    Lescott does well against the pace of Glen Johnson. He's playing out of his natural position at left-back as well, so there could be an area to exploit in the second half.

74. 49'

    Jovanovic fires the ball low across the box but, even with two strikers, there was no-one in the area to get on the end of it. Hart claims with ease.

75. 50'

    Liverpool attacking well as Ngog tries to find Lucas after pulling Kolo Toure out of position.

76. 51'

    Barry slides the ball through to Tevez, who beats the offside trap. He has to cut back though and, as the Liverpool defence gets back, Johnson gets the ball and his shot is deflected over the bar.

77. 51'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> From the corner, Richards wins the header and Tevez hooks it over the line from in front of Reina.

78. 52'

    Very little touch from the skipper there, but it was enough to get it over the line and confuse Reina. 2-0.

79. 53'

    Liverpool starting to play with a bit more passion now, and Barry raises the tempo with a sliding tackle for City.

80. 54'

    Brilliant defending from Kompany, backheeling his way out of trouble. The City fans are in full voice now and the side still look dangerous on the counter attack.

81. 55'

    Richards barges Torres over and is not happy about the award of a foul. Gerrard lines it up 30 yards out...

82. 56'

    Straight into the wall. What a waste.

83. 56'

    A right mess in the box. Gerrard hammers a shot against the post, it rebounds off Hart and finds Kuyt. Hart then saves twice, first from Kuyt then from Jovanovic. Great stuff from the England No. 1.

84. 57'

    Real matchwinning form from Hart again. He got lucky with Gerrard's shot, but was big and strong for the others.

85. 57'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Micah Richards fouls Torres again and goes into the book.

86. 59'

    City survived that string of attacks and now Liverpool are building again.

87. 60'

    A few silly fouls keep breaking up the play and Kuyt is the latest to bring someone down. Phil Dowd will book another one soon.

88. 61'

    Liverpool controlling the possession, but not causing the same kind of problems for City. It's all in their own half at the moment.

89. 62'

    Kolo Toure stretches his legs down the right and City get the ball back for a bit. They seem happy just to play it about and make sure that the Reds can't get back into it.

90. 63'

    Skrtel does well to spot the danger after a looping header falls in the box, just short of an advancing Milner as he hooks the ball away.

91. 64'

    Torres really doesn't look like himself. Short of a bit of pace and blowing a little bit now after running himself into the ground.

92. 65'

    Kuyt with space, but a terrible cross doesn't beat the first man and City can break.

93. 65'

    <b>PENALTY!</b> Adam Johnson fouled by Skrtel.

94. 65'

    Skrtel crashed into him and there's no booking, which would mean the Liverpool man would have been sent off.

95. 66'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Tevez scores. 3-0. Cool as you like, just slots it to the keeper's right.

96. 67'

    Skrtel is a very lucky man to stay on the pitch. Johnson has been the spark for City, but Tevez has the two goals!

97. 68'

    Surely no way back for Liverpool now and this could be a morale crusher.

98. 70'

    Again, it's the possession game for City. Very calm, very cool, and they have nothing to worry about now as Liverpool look cooked.

99. 71'

    Roy Hodgson is preparing some subs, but that won't help them much now.

100. 72'

     Torres shows a bit of class as he turns Richards on the spot. He smashes a shot across the goal, but the angle was a little too tight for him to hit the target.

101. 73'

     Oddly, City have only had three shots on target. They've made them all count.

102. 73'

     Gerrard battles to win the ball back after poor work from Glen Johnson against Milner.

103. 73'

     Adam Johnson does really well again on the right, as the rain lashes down, in between two men and is fouled.

104. 74'

     Carragher is beaten to the ball by Milner after a raking ball from Johnson. Glen Johnson comes across to stop the danger though.

105. 75'

     The rain is really hammering down now. Visibility is poor.

106. 76'

     Another City free-kick and Liverpool are conceding a lot of them now.

107. 77'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Torres off and Babel on. Flashes from the Spaniard, but not enough.

108. 77'

     Gerrard releases Babel already, and he forces Hart into a save. Cuts inside well and hits it off the wet turf with his right foot.

109. 79'

     Babel looks lively in his few minutes on the pitch. Liverpool have lacked width this game and Johnson has exposed that.

110. 80'

     Kuyt can't control and keep hold of it, but that's been the story of their game.

111. 81'

     Gerrard fires a misplaced pass now, and it's all just petering out for them now.

112. 82'

     Tevez nearly gets the ball across to Lescott, but Glen Johnson cuts it out. Adam Johnson is still causing problems, but City are making subs now.

113. 83'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Yaya Toure off for Jo and Tevez off for Zabaleta.

114. 84'

     Odd to see Jo on as you would have thought he would have been let go. A penny for Adebayor's thoughts right now.

115. 85'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Liverpool subs. Jovanovic off for Pacheco.

116. 85'

     Kompany slips and Ngog nearly gets away, but he shows good pace to get back.

117. 87'

     Hart shouting at his defence after coming to claim the ball. Nice to see a man care about his clean sheet even when you're 3-0 up.

118. 88'

     Gerrard is still haring around trying to lift his side. They're done though, and just waiting for the whistle.

119. 90'

     Liverpool offering very little now, and as with a 3-0 drubbing, nothing much is happening as the game winds down.

120. 90'

     Two mins of stoppage time.

121. 92'

     <b>FT - They barely make them. The game is over, 3-0 to City and that's a sore one for the Reds. They were outplayed and City can take confidence from beating a rival like that.</b>

122. 92'

     <b>Top four now reads: Chelsea, Arsenal, Man Utd and Man City. City would be happy with that in May, but for now they will take a lot of heart from beating Liverpool in such fashion. </b>

123. 92'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2010/0823/carlostevezstrike20100823_275x155.jpg"><br> Carlos Tevez's (or Micah Richards') first goal.

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