A late yellow card for Kyle Walker and it's a silly booking to pick up.
90' +3
It shouldn't change the tide of the game but Guardiola will be furious. Defending that poor is certainly a concern ahead of a week where they'll face Napoli and Arsenal.
90' +2
M. Phillips has scored a goal for West Bromwich Albion!
GOAL! It's another goal against the run of play and more poor defending from the Citizens. Otamendi looked to chest the ball back to Ederson but wasn't aware of Phillips' presence and gifts a goal to the substitute.
90' +1
Three minutes of time added on at The Hawthorns.
89'
Foster has made a few decent saves today and has commanded his box well, which is certainly a positive for West Brom in the months ahead.
87'
SAVE! Foster prevents the fourth Manchester City goal. Another superb piece of build-up play finishes with David Silva, in a central role, forcing a save from West Brom's stopper. It looked to be a certain goal and Foster can hold his head high.
86'
Talk about prolific. Manchester City have had four shots on target this afternoon, with three of them finding the back of the net.
85'
MISS! De Bruyne will be kicking himself! City remain devastating on the attack and it's a superbly weighted pass by Sterling but his Belgian team-mate fails to hit the target.
84'
David Silva has moved centrally after that latest Manchester City change, now playing as a false nine.
83'
Jesus is, of course, still undefeated as a Manchester City player. That record never really looked in too much danger today, with the Citizens on-course for their twelfth consecutive Premier League win over West Brom.
Minute
Description
82'
İ. Gündoğan enters the game and replaces Gabriel Jesus.
Gabriel Jesus has had a poor game by his standards and his afternoon has come to a close. On comes Ilkay Gundogan, with City looking to fill the midfield and see out this result.
81'
J. McClean enters the game and replaces G. Krychowiak.
Final change for West Brom sees Krychowiak replaced by James McClean, who gets a warm reception from the travelling fans.
80'
De Bruyne and Jesus link-up well on the edge of the area but can't quite find an opening.
78'
Manchester City are still banging on the door and looking for another goal. West Brom are standing firm, for now, but the visitors continue to push forward.
76'
Jay Rodriguez surges forward for West Brom, in an attack that looks extremely threatening, but Walker does superbly in defence to make the tackle and to prevent the ball from going behind for a corner.
74'
CHANCE! Fernandinho skips forward through midfield, passing numerous opponents, before playing a ball through to Gabriel Jesus. The pass had a bit too much pace on it though and Foster is quickly off his line, clearing the ball away and ensuring the Citizens don't find a fourth.
73'
De Bruyne, arguably the best player in the Premier League so far this season, shows his class with a superb ball through to Sane but the German couldn't get the ball under control.
72'
Ahmed Hegazy gets yellow.
Another yellow card, Hegazi this time, who pushes Sterling to ground. It's a challenge the defender probably needed to make, as his defensive line was exposed and he had no chance of catching the England ace.
71'
N. Otamendi gets yellow.
Horrendous challenge from the Argentine and he deserves his yellow card. Otamendi threw himself into a challenge unnecessarily and pays the price.
70'
West Brom throwing plenty of men forward and almost get hit on the counter but Jesus' attempted through ball towards Sane is intercepted by Hegazi.
68'
M. Phillips enters the game and replaces G. McAuley.
Second chance for West Brom is shows some attacking intent, with Matt Phillips replacing McAuley.
67'
With the game now in the bag, City may look to take off their heavy hitters. A big week is ahead of them, with a trip to Naples in midweek followed by a clash with Arsenal next weekend.
64'
R. Sterling has scored a goal for Manchester City! Assist by K. Walker.
GOAL! Manchester City seal it! Sterling, off the bench, tucks home from close range after a superb ball across the face of goal by Walker. Easy as you like, that should be another three points for the Citizens.
Walker gets the assist but credit to the entire attacking line, as the build-up play was superb. City switched sides and found the space to get the goal that should end this game as a contest.
61'
R. Sterling enters the game and replaces Bernardo Silva.
Manchester City's first change of the game sees Raheem Sterling enter the frame, with Bernardo Silva making way.
60'
Gabriel Jesus gets yellow.
Gabriel Jesus isn't having the best of games and he's now received a yellow card following a foul on Evans, which appeared to be for dissent.
58'
H. Robson-Kanu enters the game and replaces S. Rondón.
Can confirm it's not Maradona coming on for the Baggies. Hal Robson-Kanu is the man coming onto the field, with Rondon making way and heading straight down the tunnel.
57'
West Brom look set to make a change in an attempt to get back into match. Unless they're bringing on Diego Maradona, this game may just be beyond them.
56'
West Brom will be happy to see Manchester City continuing to try their luck from distance, with Foster not tested at all as De Bruyne fires another effort above the crossbar.
54'
That decent period for West Brom has certainly ended. City are back controlling the tempo and Guardiola will be desperate to get a third goal to put this game to bed.
52'
De Bruyne strikes this one but Hegazi, in the wall, deflects the ball behind for a corner. From that set-piece, City can't create an opportunity.
51'
Manchester City have started to get into life in this second-half and you have to feel that West Brom may regret that missed chance from Krychowiak. They won't get too many openings like that and the Polish midfielder has now felled David Silva, giving the Citizens a decent opening.
49'
CHANCE! Walker surges forward from the right and slashes a shot wide of the right-hand post.
47'
West Brom starting this second-half well and are retaining possession, with Gibbs then whipping in a cross to the head of Krychowiak and it's a comfortable save for Ederson.
45' +2
Chance for a third at the end of the half, as it's headed back across goal by Sane but a Manchester City man can't tuck it in. That's the end of the half, where both sides will look for improvements.
45' +1
Two minutes added on at the end of the first-half.
45'
West Brom take a free-kick quickly, Ederson kicks the ball into Rondon and it enters the back of the net. Unfortunately, it has to be retaken and this time it creates nothing of note.
Back underway at the Hawthorns, West Brom now kicking to the left as they aim to turn this game on it's head by equalising for the second time today.
44'
De Bruyne fires way over the bar. City really should be more than a goal ahead here and Foster hasn't really been tested, barring the two goals he's seen pass him by.
43'
West Brom will struggle to create a better opportunity than that and Manchester City were the architects of their own downfall. Defensively, the Citizens have been rather suspect at times.
41'
CHANCE! Glorious opportunity for an equaliser as Manchester City sloppily give the ball away, with Barry nicking possession and Rodriguez crossing into the area where his striking partner awaits. Rondon wins the header but can't threaten Ederson with his attempt.
40'
Wasted. Sane step-ups and fails to test Foster, as his left-footed effort flies over the bar.
39'
Free-kick in a dangerous area for Manchester City as Evans, already on a yellow card, fouls Bernardo Silva. Right on the edge of a box, it's a perfect opportunity for a shot.
38'
Bernardo Silva's cross is turned behind for a corner by Nyom, which Sane takes and it gets headed away. Rodriguez turns superbly to try and spark a counter but can only win a throw in his own half.
37'
City can't quite beat the last man, with Sane seeing a pass into the area intercepted. They're far from firing on all cylinders and Guardiola will want to see improvements after the break.
35'
After a dramatic first twenty minutes, this game has really settled down. Manchester City are retaining the wealth of possession but still can't quite click in the attacking third. West Brom will probably already be looking forward to half-time, where they'll have a break from chasing shadows.
33'
A rare chance for West Brom, if you can call it that, sees Rondon head towards goal. Ederson snatches the ball out of the air and Delph can relax, after slicing his clearance in the build-up.
32'
Gabriel Jesus needs to get into the game more, as he's been a passenger so far. Sane, meanwhile, has been magnificent.
30'
When Manchester City go forward, it always looks like they're going to score. However, they haven't quite found their rhythm in this match. Once they do, you can expect them to run away with it.
29'
Manchester City have had 72% possession so far, with seven shots compared to West Brom's one. It's going to be a long day for the home supporters.
28'
Another City chance goes begging, with West Brom quelling the attack and hitting on the counter. It comes to nothing though and this rather one-sided game of chess continues.
26'
CHANCE! Manchester City should be 3-1 up, a superb curling cross from De Bruyne finds David Silva inside the six-yard area with plenty of space but the Spaniard heads over the bar. Admittedly, he's probably not the man the Citizens would have wanted at the end of that opportunity.
25'
City's defence is being tested, forced to play the ball back to Ederson, but they're coping with everything thus far- barring falling asleep for Rodriguez's goal.
24'
Manchester City, having restored their lead, have found their stride again. With Evans on a yellow card, they may look to exploit that area of the field.
21'
J. Evans gets yellow.
Evans caught De Bruyne at halfway and the referee tried to play the advantage, then going back to caution the West Brom defender. He's playing a dangerous game now.
West Brom are getting forward, with Gibbs playing a poor cross into the area, but they'll have to be a bit more creative if they're to find the net again.
19'
Manchester City have shown their vulnerability defensively and it's something that West Brom may look to exploit as the game continues. In attack, City are, once again, looking devastating and have found it easy to find the net.
18'
A dramatic start at the Hawthorns and West Brom, to their credit, have made this an intriguing affair. Both of the goals they conceded were avoidable with basic defending though so Tony Pulis will be far from happy with his side's defensive display.
15'
Fernandinho has scored a goal for Manchester City! Assist by L. Sané.
Goal again! Manchester City find themselves in front as Sane plays it centrally into Fernandinho, who strikes a low shot at goal that bobbles past Foster and bounces in off the post.
Sane's unbelievable run of form continues. For the fourth time in five Premier League games, the German ace has secured a goal and an assist.
13'
J. Rodríguez has scored a goal for West Bromwich Albion! Assist by G. Barry.
GOAL! Where did that come from?! West Brom immediately find a way back into the game. Barry lofts a ball forward and Jay Rodriguez has the goal at his mercy, with Ederson coming off his line but looking far from convincing and Rodriguez lofts the ball over the top. Sloppy defending again, this time from the Citizens.
It's simple from West Brom. They tried to catch Rondon offside but left Rodriguez free and paid the price. Very poor and Guardiola won't be happy.
12'
Manchester City aren't done and are looking deadly. Sane again finds himself in a threatening area, backheeling the ball to David Silva but Foster clutches onto the ball comfortably.
10'
L. Sané has scored a goal for Manchester City! Assist by Fernandinho.
GOAL! It's been coming and Manchester City take the lead! Sane, who scored both goals in the Carabao Cup win over the Baggies, has found the net again. Fernandinho fed the ball into the German, who had plenty of space, and he turns Nyom before firing into the far corner of the net.
It's simple build-up from Manchester City and shocking from West Brom. Sane had far too much room and Fernandinho had no difficulty in picking out his team-mate.
9'
Another chance comes and goes for Delph, who manages to get his shot off the floor this time but it's fired way over the bar.
7'
CHANCE! Manchester City almost find an opening with superb build-up play, with West Brom unable to get the ball away. Sane sees a shot inside the area blocked amidst the chaos and West Brom eventually get the ball away- although they immediately concede possession.
6'
Manchester City, as expected, are dominating the early exhanges and West Brom better get used to this situation.
4'
Delph has the game's first attempt at goal but it's one he won't want to remember, as he drags a harmless shot well wide of Ben Foster's net.
2'
Manchester City start on the front foot and are giving Dawson a wealth of issues down the right, forcing him to put the ball out after trying to hold off two attackers. The Citizens win a free-kick shortly after and De Bruyne's delivery goes all the way across the box and the visitors start again from the back.
1'
KICK-OFF! We're underway at the Hawthorns. Manchester City get us underway, kicking from right to left.
Good afternoon and welcome to our LIVE text commentary of the Premier League clash between West Bromwich Albion and Manchester City, a clash that's important for both sides but for entirely different reasons.
Manchester City, meanwhile, are enjoying a blistering run of form. Results last weekend allowed the Citizens to open a five point lead at the top of the Premier League table and there's a chance to extend that today, should the early clash between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur remain goalless. With 25 points from nine games, Manchester City have equalled their best ever start to a Premier League season, which came in 2011-12.
West Brom XI: Ben Foster; Jonny Evans, Ahmed Hegazi, Gareth McAuley; Allan Nyom, Gareth Barry, Grzegorz Krychowiak, Jake Livermore, Kieran Gibbs; Jay Rodriguez, Salomon Rondon.
Manchester City XI: Ederson; Kyle Walker, Nicolas Otamendi, John Stones, Fabian Delph; Kevin De Bruyne, Fernandinho, David Silva; Bernardo Silva, Gabriel Jesus, Leroy Sane.
West Brom subs: Boaz Myhill, Chris Brunt, Hal Robson-Kanu, Matt Phillips, Nacer Chadli, Claudio Yacob, James McClean.
Manchester City subs: Claudio Bravo, Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero, Eliaquim Mangala, Ilkay Gundogan, Danilo, Raheem Sterling.
West Brom make two changes to the side that lost 1-0 to Southampton last weekend, with Tony Pulis electing to switch to a five-man defensive line. Allan Nyom and Gareth McAuley come into the starting line-up, with Nacer Chadli dropping to the bench. Craig Dawson is absent due to injury, with initial assessments suggesting he could be out for as long as two months.
Manchester City make just one change from the side that beat Burnley 3-0 last weekend, with Gabriel Jesus back in from the start ahead of Sergio Aguero. The Argentine striker is on what is a very strong bench for Pep Guardiola's team, with Yaya Toure, Raheem Sterling and Ilkay Gundogan all capable of doing damage.
With Manchester United beating Tottenham 1-0, Guardiola's side cannot extend their advantage today but will look to secure three points to reinstate a five point lead over their rivals. Given their form, and recent history between the two sides, all the indicators suggest it may well be another high-scoring affair for the Citizens.
A lot would have to happen for West Brom to slip into the relegation zone this weekend, particularly with Leicester and Everton below them clashing tomorrow, but it's a very real possibility for Pulis' men over the course of the coming weeks. Anything from this game would provide a timely boost but, having gone eight games in all competitions without a win, it's unlikely to happen.
These two sides have already met this season, with Manchester City emerging 2-1 victors last month in their trip to the Hawthorns in the Carabao Cup. Leroy Sane, who enters the game on a fantastic run of form and boasts a goal and an assist in three of his last four Premier League games, scored both goals in that game- with Claudio Yacob scoring for the Baggies.
West Brom come into the match with just two victories from their last 18 matches in the Premier League, a run that stretches back to April last season, and are two points above the relegation zone at this early stage of the season. Having lost each of their last 22 Premier League matches against Manchester City, the odds are stacked against them.
Well, it's better than many would expect from West Brom. The Baggies have found the net but, unfortunately, conceded either side of Jay Rodriguez's goal. Salomon Rondon then wasted a glorious chance for an equaliser, heading over the bar, and they've spent the vast majority of the match chasing Guardiola's side.
Manchester City haven't quite run away with it like many would have predicted but, crucially, they do have the lead. Leroy Sane's fantastic form continued with a fearsome shot into the far corner of the net, before he turned provider to Fernandinho as the Brazilian saw a low shot bobble into the net off the post.
Game over! Manchester City's fantastic run of form continues and Guardiola's side now have 28 points from a possible 30 this season. It wasn't the best of performances today, particularly defensively, but goals from Leroy Sane, Fernandinho and Raheem Sterling secured all three points for the visitors.
West Brom did make a match of it, particularly when they equalised shortly after Sane opened the scoring, but there was only really going to be one winner this afternoon. There's certainly positives they can take into a crucial match against Huddersfield Town next weekend, where the Baggies desperately need a win.
For Manchester City, it's another feather in their cap. If they continue at this rate, they'll look like peacocks at the end of the season. Guardiola has work to do on his defence, as they conceded two sloppy goals, but they controlled the match right from the start and always looked good value for their lead.
Commentary
More…