Manchester City – Southampton

1. <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com//design05/images/2012/0819/jackrodwellmanchestercityshirt_275x155.jpg"><br>Manchester City get the defence of their Premier League title won so dramtically in May with the visit of newly promoted Southampton. The champions have only bought one player this summer, Jack Rodwell, and he starts for them today.

2. The new lean machine that is Carlos Tevez starts up front with compatriot Sergio Ageuro and all the big hitters are there too - Toure, Nasri and Silva.

3. This is a great start for the Saints - a game at the champions with nothing to lose. No-one expects them to get anything so they can play with the freedom that brings.

4. Nigel Adkins hands a debut to their big-money signing Jay Rodriguez while Adam Lallana is their main man in an attacking sense. "It's a marvellous feeling," the manager says ahead of their first game back in the Premier League for seven years.

5. 1'

   <b>KICK OFF</b> - we are underway....

6. 2'

   A break in play as David Silva has to go off and have his white sock tape covered by blue sock tape. Rules are the rules.

7. 3'

   A flying tackle from Rodwell on Lallana as the Saints' maestro skipped into the box. Good covering.

8. 4'

   Lively start from Saouthampton as Clyne finds Do Prado but Kompany clears his cross.

9. 5'

   First City forray forward but Tevez is offside as Toure's pass arrives.

10. 6'

    A talking to for Kompany as he tugs back Do Prado. Prior to that City stroked the ball around well but couldn't find an opening.

11. 7'

    Clyne does well to stay with Aguero and slide in from the side. No foul given, rightly, but Aguero looks in some pain.

12. 8'

    New ditty from the Saints fans: "He plays on the left, he plays on the right; Adam Lallana makes Messi look s***e."

13. 9'

    Aguero still getting treatment as Dzeko and Balotelli warm up on the sidelines. It isn't looking good for the striker - he hasn't moved his leg since going down. A stretcher is out.

14. 10'

    Aguero shuns the stretcher and limps off the field to rapturous applause. He'll need further treatment though.

15. 11'

    Schneiderlin fires wide after pressure from Do Prado - bright start from the Saints. Aguero is on a stretcher now and leaving the field.

16. 12'

    A slow march to the tunnel for Aguero and only time will tell how serious that injury is. A replacement will be on shortly - now in fact.

17. 14'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Dzeko gets the nod to replace Aguero.

18. 15'

    An early chance for Dzeko but a poor touch means the chance is gone, for him at least, as Barry follows up with a shot that is blocked.

19. 16'

    <b>CITY PENALTY</b> - Tevez upended by Hooiveld and there is enough contact to warrant a spot kick.

20. 17'

    <b>SAVED!</b> What a poor penalty from Silva. Awful, and Kelvin Davis makes a simple save.

21. 18'

    For such a silky player that was a lamentable penalty. Weak, just right of centre and casual in the extreme.

22. 19'

    Tevez very nearly plays Zabaleta into the box as pressure mounts on the Saints after their promising start.

23. 20'

    Toure overhits a long pass as he attempts to switch play.

24. 22'

    Southampton are struggling for options up the field when they do get the ball now - City are pressing much better.

25. 24'

    Tevez is coming very deep to get the ball - a reaction to the numbers Southampton are leaving back.

26. 25'

    Fox neglects a good run from Rodriguez as the striker pulled off Lescott. He goes backwards and Davis hoofs the ball out of play.

27. 26'

    Rodwell looks long for Silva but his pass is too strong.

28. 27'

    The penalty aside, very little in the way of goalmouth action at either end.

29. 28'

    That's better - City win the ball high up, Toure finds Tevez and only a flick from Fonte prevents Dzeko getting on the end of it.

30. 30'

    Clichy overlaps on the left and crosses - Fonte shanks his clearance behind for a corner.

31. 31'

    City knocking on the door louder and louder as Tevez grabs the ball on the box edge and works some space before toe-punting at Davis who holds comfortably.

32. 32'

    Nice move from City as Zabaleta gets down the right and squares for Silva but he overruns the ball and Fonte makes the interception.

33. 33'

    So nearly another quality pass from Tevez but it is all a bit tight on the edge of Southampton's box and Hooiveld cuts it out.

34. 35'

    Zabaleta jumps to block Fox's cross and handles. Free kick wide left for Saints.

35. 36'

    Lallana hammers the ball in and Nasri gets his head to it. Corner.

36. 37'

    Unconvincing from City as Rodriguez tried to meet a near post corner. The ball cannons off Lescott onto the striker and behind for a goal kick.

37. 38'

    It's not quite happening for Dzeko yet as he miscontrols a ball struck towards him in the area.

38. 39'

    Poor control from Silva as Tevez cut the ball to him ten yards out. Had he controlled instantly, he'd have had a chance to shoot.

39. 40'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Tevez strikes! A cute finish to Davis' near post after a ball over the top from Nasri.

40. 41'

    Extremely well worked goal as Dzeko pulled one centre half out before Tevez galloped into the space. A hint of offside but such a cool finish.

41. 42'

    Nasri looks for Zabaleta this time, who hasn't needed a second invitation to get forward this half, but the ball is two yards ahead of him.

42. 43'

    Dzeko with a sniff this time as Silva wins the ball from Schneiderlin and finds the striker but he shoots right at Davis.

43. 44'

    An almighty scramble in the box as Zabaleta fires the ball across but Dzeko can't get a shot off. Saints clinging on.

44. 45'

    Davis saves well from Tevez as he finds space inside the area, Saints half clear before Nasri tries a curler to the far corner but misses.

45. 45'

    <b>HALF TIME</b> - City deserve to lead but Tevez's goal was tempered by a potentially serious injury to Aguero. Southampton started brightly but retreated further and further.

46. <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/0819/sergioagueroinjurymancityvsouthampton_275x155.jpg"><br>Sergio Aguero lies stricken after a tackle from Clyne

47. <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/0819/kelvindavissavesdavidsilvapenaltymancityvsouthampton_275x155.jpg"><br>Kelvin Davis saves Silva's penalty

48. This is the second Premier League encounter of the day of course after Chelsea won 2-0 at Wigan. If you missed it, <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=345826&cc=5739" target="_blank">have a read of our report here</a>.

49. 46'

    We begin again....

50. 47'

    A slow start to the second half. Silva tries to release Tevez but undercooks the pass.

51. 48'

    Aguero's injury is not as bad as first feared we are hearing. He is off for an MRI scan but the full extent won't be known until the swelling on his knee goes down.

52. 49'

    Incredible play from Nasri as he twists and turns on the byline and befuddles two Saints players before crossing for Dzeko, who wasn't expecting the ball and fluffs it into the ground and up into Davis' arms from four yards.

53. 50'

    Good low cross from Clichy - it flashes across the box and then Saints bring it clear.

54. 51'

    Sublime pass from Toure and a poor finish from Clichy who half-volleys over from six yards out.

55. 52'

    Zabaleta denied this time as he shoots on goal from inside the box. A posse of red shirts block.

56. 53'

    Off the bar! Tevez charges down the right, crosses and as Davis palms out Nasri squares to Silva whose volley flicks off the bar.

57. 55'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Ricky Lambert is coming on for Southampton - Rodriguez makes way.

58. 56'

    Lambert tussles with Lescott in the air and offloads the ball to Ward-Prowse but his shot is blocked. From the throw Puncheon crosses and Lallana trickles a shot wide.

59. 57'

    This is more enterprising from Southampton and Lambert will offer more of a presence up front.

60. 58'

    City break with three on three. Hooiveld does well to cloe down Tevez in the box. Dzeko wanted it square but he was two yards offside.

61. 59'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Saints are level through Ricky Lambert! A scramble in the box falls to the big man and he's hammered that into the corner. Fantastic.

62. 60'

    They celebrated that goal like it was the one that secured their Premier League status. Brilliant from Lambert, a real grafter who has worked his way up the leagues.

63. 61'

    So, half an hour left and an even contest. That will come as a shock to City. Saints weren't expected to spoil this party.

64. 62'

    A poor cross from Toure as City tried to force their way into the box. Saints have retreated since the goal.

65. 63'

    Clichy's deep cross is met by the other full back, Zabaleta, but his header on the bounce is right at Davis and more like a back pass.

66. 65'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Ward-Prowse departs and Steven Davis replaces him. Good shift from the 17-year-old.

67. 66'

    Schneiderlin fouls Dzeko outside the box and this is a good chance for City to have a pop on goal. 25 yards out.

68. 67'

    Tevez takes and wins a corner after it flicks off the wall.

69. 68'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Davis scores for Southampton! Unbelievable! A fast break from Saints and they fail to find the killer pass several times before it breaks for Davis who smashes a low shot into the corner.

70. 69'

    It was Rodwell who gave the ball away but for a long time it looked like Saints had squandered that chance. They had two men over but failed to find them but Davis didn't squander his chance, rifling home from 18 yards. What a story.

71. 70'

    Echoes of the last Premier League game at the Etihad? City 2-1 behind with 20 minutes left?

72. 71'

    City have enjoyed 81% possession in the last five minutes and they go close there as Clyne almost turns the ball into his own net from a Zabaleta cross.

73. 72'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> It's Mario time - Balotelli replaces Silva.

74. 72'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Dzeko equalises! A corner pings around the box until it finds the Bosnian seven yards out and he thumps home. Game on!

75. 73'

    A glorious chance for Saints to go in front straight from kick off as Puncheon gets through and has a shot blocked, before Lambert's is too.

76. 74'

    Then down the other end City go, Nasri slides the ball across the face and Super Mario has an empty net at the back post, but hits the side-netting. Tight angle to be fair. What a game!

77. 75'

    Lambert scored 226 seconds after coming on, Davis 143 seconds. Get another sub on Nigel!

78. 76'

    Toure fires in a free kick which takes Davis by surprise - he saves awkwardly but Saints bundle the ball behind for a corner.

79. 77'

    Fantastic effort from Dzeko, who has obviously drawn confidence from his goal, he meets a right wing cross but flashes a header wide of the near post with Davis beaten.

80. 78'

    Dzeko stands like a statue inside the box as Balotelli's stray pass goes loose. Had he moved for it he may just have got there. Poor.

81. 80'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Nasri fires home! Clichy's cross is nodded right into the path of Nasri by Fox and from the penalty spot the Frenchman makes no mistake.

82. 81'

    It was fun while it lasted but normal order has been restored. City come from 2-1 down to lead 3-2. Now where have I seen that before?

83. 82'

    Plenty of people forward for Saints, who are having a right go at this. It ends with a thumper from Lallana that takes a deflection before squirming wide.

84. 83'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Seems Nasri was booked for his celebration. Must have missed that.

85. 84'

    Chance for Fonte as Lambert nods down a cross but the centre-back can't keep it down and blazes over from the penalty spot.

86. 85'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Puncheon's last contribution is to knock a cross out of play as Billy Sharp trots on. We know what happened with the last two Saints subs.....

87. 86'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> A card for Schneiderlin for a pretty blatant block on Tevez.

88. 87'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Tevez now departs and Kolarov comes on.

89. 88'

    City the ones retreating now and playing on the break. Sensible.

90. 89'

    Davis stands a cross up for Sharp who manages to retrieve the loose ball and City are penned in.

91. 90'

    Three added minutes....

92. 91'

    Great response from Southampton after going 3-2 behind. Still time for them to find a leveller.

93. 92'

    Three stationed up front for the visitors now. City trying to keep hold of possession.

94. 93'

    <b>FULL TIME</b> - a pulsating game and a scare for City who conceded two sloppy goals and looked far from solid at the back. Dzeko and Nasri got them out of jail and they take three points but Southampton were magnificent and deserved something from the game. A superb advert for the Premier League.

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