Southampton – Manchester City

1. Welcome to today's live commentary of the Premier League clash between Southampton and Manchester City at St Mary's. Kick off is at 1730GMT.

2. A huge game for both sides. Southampton will be hoping to pull away from the relegation zone after Reading, Wigan and QPR all lost earlier today. City, meanwhile, need to keep piling the pressure on league-leaders Manchester United, who play Everton tomorrow.

3. Southampton team: Boruc, Clyne, Yoshida, Hooiveld, Fox, S. Davis, Schneiderlin, Cork, Puncheon, Lambert, Rodriguez.

4. Manchester City team: Hart, Zabaleta, Garcia, Lescott, Clichy,Yaya Toure, Barry, Nasri, Silva, Aguero, Dzeko.

5. Southampton subs: K. Davis, Forren, Ward-Prowse, Lee, Lallana, Richardson, Chaplow.

6. Manchester City subs: Pantilimon, Kolo Toure, Kolarov, Maicon, Rodwell, Sinclair, Milner.

7. Danny Fox and Steven Davis start in place of Luke Shaw and Gaston Ramirez for Southampton, who both picked up knocks.

8. City are without the injured pair of Vincent Kompany and Matija Nastasic, while Carlos Tevez has pulled out for personal reasons. They are, though, boosted by the return of Yaya Toure from the African Nations Cup.

9. The teams are out onto the pitch, we are just moments away from kick-off...

10. 1'

    Manchester City get the first half underway...

11. 1'

    A positive start from Southampton as Cork whips a ball into the box but Clichy is there to head clear.

12. 2'

    Lambert goes down under a late challenge from Zabaleta. A chance for Southampton to send a ball into the box...

13. 3'

    Yoshida sends the free-kick into the box but it is poor and goes out for the goal kick.

14. 4'

    Boruc is forced to come off his line and head clear a City long ball over the top. Did well with Dzeko bearing down on him.

15. 4'

    Lescott sends a long ball forward looking for Dzeko but Southampton do well to clear the danger.

16. 5'

    Barry plays a ball back to Hart who fluffs his kick and concedes possession back to Southampton.

17. 6'

    Southampton get another ball into the box and forcing City to work hard to clear it.

18. 7'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL FOR SOUTHAMPTON. PUNCHEON.</b>

19. 7'

    Puncheon does brilliantly to play in Rodriguez who brings a save out of Hart. City are slow to react and Puncheon is there to convert the rebound into an empty net.

20. 8'

    A terrible start for City then. Southampton are good value for their lead as they have started brightly.

21. 9'

    Southampton are really pumped up for this. How are City going to respond?

22. 10'

    City are struggling to get hold of the ball here as Southampton look to mount another attack...

23. 11'

    Clyne does well down the right to whip a cross into the box, forcing Lescott to concede the corner.

24. 11'

    Davis sends the corner in but City are able to clear.

25. 12'

    Hooiveld picks out Rodriguez with a ball over the top, catching Garcia out, but the striker is unable to control it.

26. 13'

    Southampton are looking very tenacious, getting in the face of City at every opportunity.

27. 14'

    Aguero comes forward and finds Nasri, but the Frenchman's return ball is poor and the attack comes to an end.

28. 15'

    Nasri tries to beat Fox down the right and get a cross in but the Southampton man stands his ground very well before putting the tackle in.

29. 16'

    Aguero forces his way down the right before producing a cross-cum-shot that trickles across the face of the goal but nobody in blue is there to get on the end of it.

30. 17'

    City win a free-kick in a dangerous area...

31. 17'

    Silva whips in a dangerous ball before Yoshida eventually gets it clear.

32. 18'

    So City finding their feet now and starting to put the pressure on the Saints.

33. 19'

    City trying to find a way through Southampton's defence...

34. 20'

    Zabaleta races down the right before sending a cross into the box. Clyne is forced to concede the corner.

35. 21'

    Silva's delivery is poor and is cleared at the near post.

36. 21'

    City with a sustained period of possession at the moment. Southampton will have to make sure they keep their concentration.

37. 22'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL FOR SOUTHAMPTON. DAVIS.</b>

38. 22'

    Lambert plays a neat one-two with Puncheon before firing an effort at Hart. The goalkeeper makes a horrendous mistake and Davis is there to finish home the rebound.

39. 23'

    Hart will be furious at making that error. It was a routine save for him really. City in big, big trouble now.

40. 24'

    St Mary's is bouncing now. Have City got anything in response or are they kissing goodbye to their title chances?

41. 25'

    Southampton have opened up City's defence on two occasions for the goals. They really need to tighten up at the back or the Saints may yet find more joy.

42. 27'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Lambert goes into the book for a late challenge on Lescott.

43. 28'

    Hooiveld fouls Dzeko on the edge of the box. Dangerous free-kick for City...

44. 29'

    Aguero is standing over it...

45. 29'

    But his effort goes straight into the wall.

46. 30'

    Southampton's defence has held strong whenever City have looked to mount an attack.

47. 31'

    City have had 72% of the possession in the last five minutes...

48. 32'

    Barry gives away a very cheap corner, following a Clyne throw-in. That sums up City's night.

49. 32'

    City clear the corner before eventually Hooiveld plays in Rodriguez in the box but the striker can only send his effort wide of the post. Unlucky. City are really hanging on here.

50. 33'

    Silva gets a dangerous ball into the box but Hooiveld clears. It falls to Zabaleta on the edge of the area who tries to curl it into the corner but he sends it just wide of the post.

51. 34'

    Toure concedes a foul on Clyne. Showing a little frustration perhaps?

52. 35'

    Mancini is barking out instructions from his touchline. He will not be happy with what he has seen so far tonight.

53. 36'

    Southampton come forward through Puncheon, who tries to play in Rodriguez, but Garcia uses his strength to avert the danger.

54. 37'

    Southampton have won only once at home to Man City in the Premier League, back in 2002, with a 2-0 victory.

55. 38'

    Puncheon passes to Clyne who does very well to cut inside from the right before firing an effort just over the bar.

56. 39'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL FOR CITY. DZEKO.</b>

57. 39'

    City break from a Southampton corner. Silva picks out Zabaleta on the right who squares it to Dzeko in the middle. The striker manages to slot it past Boruc, though not with the cleanest of touches.

58. 40'

    Big blow for Southampton to concede before half time. Not the best of defending there either.

59. 41'

    Southampton are not lying down though as they force a corner up the other end.

60. 41'

    City clear Davis' corner only as far as Puncheon on the edge of the box but he is unable to land his strike at goal on target.

61. 43'

    Toure looks for the run of Dzeko but he overhits it and the ball runs out for a goal kick.

62. 44'

    Garcia gives away a free-kick to Southampton in a dangerous area. A chance to whip the ball into the box...

63. 45'

    Fox sends the free-kick into the box but play is stopped for a foul by Hooiveld.

64. 45'

    Two minutes of added on time to be played.

65. 45'

    A great move from Southampton as Davis finds himself in space on the left before picking out Schneiderlin at the far post, but his volley sails wide of the goal.

66. 45'

    Nasri picks out Silva in space in the box with a good ball but the Spaniard is unable to get the required power on his shot to worry Boruc.

67. 45'

    Rodriguez goes down in the box under pressure from Toure. No penalty given, despite the Saints' protests.

68. 45'

    And there goes the half-time whistle that brings an end to a fine 45 minutes of football. A great display from the Saints to go into a deserved two-goal lead, but Dzeko's strike means City are still right in it.

69. 46'

    City get the second half underway...

70. 47'

    Southampton look to attack from the off as Davis comes forward and shoots but it takes a deflection and Hart is able to deal with it comfortably.

71. 47'

    Lambert does well to beat the offside trap and hold the ball up in the box before laying it off to Puncheon but he fails to keep his effort down. Unlucky.

72. 48'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL FOR SOUTHAMPTON. BARRY OG.</b>

73. 48'

    Lambert is involved again as he races down the left before sending a ball across the face of goal. It falls to Barry who passes it into his own net. A crazy error.

74. 49'

    It looks as if he was trying to play it back to Hart but Barry got it all wrong.

75. 50'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Clichy gets booked after pulling back Puncheon who would have burst into the box.

76. 51'

    Can Southampton hold onto this two-goal lead now? Or will they allow City back into it?

77. 52'

    It's all Southampton now as Davis just fails to play in Puncheon in the box before Fox's ball to Lambert at the far post is slightly overhit.

78. 53'

    Southampton want another. And with City looking wounded at the moment, it certainly is possible.

79. 54'

    Southampton with 61% of the second-half possession.

80. 54'

    City are defending for their lives here as Southampton continue to fire ball after ball into the box.

81. 55'

    Barry plays in Aguero in the box who then brings out a five save from Boruc as he fires towards the bottom corner.

82. 56'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Milner comes on for Nasri. What sort of an impact can he make?

83. 56'

    Milner nearly scores with his first touch but his first-time shot from the edge of the box deflects just wide.

84. 57'

    Cork sends a ball into the box from the right but Hart is able to claim it with ease.

85. 59'

    City have really struggled tonight. Certainly not a vintage performance from the champions.

86. 60'

    Lallana is preparing to come on for Southampton...

87. 61'

    Toure plays a one-two with Silva on the edge of the box before blazing a shot well over the bar.

88. 62'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Lallana comes on for Puncheon, who should provide the Saints with some more energy.

89. 63'

    City seem completely out of ideas, while Southampton still look very dangerous.

90. 65'

    City are pretty short of options to bring on up front too. Tevez is away with personal problems. Bet Mancini wishes he could call on Balotelli now...

91. 66'

    Lambert picks out the run of Schneiderlin on the edge of the box who strikes at goal first time, only to send it well wide.

92. 67'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> City bring on Kolarov for Lescott. Looks like City are moving to three at the back now.

93. 68'

    Can a change of formation have an effect on City, as at the moment they are really struggling out there.

94. 69'

    Milner gets to the byline and drives a ball across the face of goal but Southampton do well to head clear.

95. 70'

    Kolarov tries to send a ball in from the left but Southampton's defence are able to clear the danger once again.

96. 71'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Toure goes into the book for a foul on Schneiderlin. It has not been a great day for the City midfielder.

97. 71'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Fox has been forced off with an injury, so Southampton bring on Richardson in his place.

98. 72'

    As bad as City are playing you still feel like Southampton could do with one more goal to kill the game off. A goal for the visitors and the game will turn on its head.

99. 73'

    Cork has a go from distance but he sends it high and wide.

100. 73'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> City make another change as Maicon comes on for Silva. Not the best of days for the Spaniard.

101. 75'

     Southampton have been solid in this second half. They need to make sure that they keep that up for the final 15 minutes and do not lose any concentration.

102. 76'

     Kolarov gets to the byline and drives a ball across the face of goal but Boruc does excellently to smother the cross, with Toure waiting to pounce.

103. 78'

     Mauricio Pochettino is edging closer to his first win as Southampton manager...

104. 79'

     Kolarov gets forward down the left and wins a corner for City.

105. 80'

     Kolarov sends the corner into the box but Southampton have no problem in dealing with it.

106. 80'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Southampton take off goalscorer Davis and bring on Ward-Prowse. The Scot has worked very hard today.

107. 82'

     Kolarov gets another ball in from the left but Dzeko is just unable to get on the end of it.

108. 82'

     City starting to pile on the pressure now, but still not looking as if they know entirely what they are doing with the ball.

109. 83'

     It's Southampton who are playing keep-ball now though, which is frustrating City. The home support are loving it.

110. 84'

     Remember, City could be a whopping 12 points behind United if the result stays like this and the Red Devils see off Everton tomorrow.

111. 86'

     Mancini is still fuming on the touchline. I suspect he might have a few things to say to his team after this game.

112. 87'

     Kolarov with another dangerous ball into the box from the left but it just eludes Aguero.

113. 87'

     Talking of Aguero, he has been pretty much anonymous in this second half.

114. 88'

     Southampton have had 11 attempts at goal tonight, compared to City's seven.

115. 89'

     Milner plays in Kolarov down the left but Ward-Prowse is there to stop the attack with a superb sliding challenge.

116. 90'

     Maicon plays in Zabaleta down the right who wins a corner for his side.

117. 90'

     Kolarov whips the corner into the box but Boruc is there to punch clear the danger.

118. 91'

     Five minutes of injury time to be played. Enough for two late City goals?

119. 93'

     Maicon tries to play in Aguero but Hooiveld does a sterling job in bringing a halt to the attack.

120. 94'

     Southampton's pressing has generally been excellent tonight, but even as they have tired City have failed to use the extra space they have been afforded.

121. 95'

     And there goes the final whistle. A fantastic win for Southampton as Pochettino secures his first victory as manager, and they were good value for it. City, meanwhile, were very poor and are now in big trouble regards their title bid.

122. If United beat Everton tomorrow then they will go 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League. You can follow live commentary of that clash with us tomorrow, kick off is at 1600GMT. See you then.

123. If United beat Everton tomorrow then they will go 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League. You can follow live commentary of that clash with us tomorrow, kick off is at 1600GMT. See you then.

124. If United beat Everton tomorrow then they will go 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League. You can follow live commentary of that clash with us tomorrow, kick off is at 1600GMT. See you then.

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