R. Sterling has scored a goal for Manchester City! Assist by K. De Bruyne.
GOAL! Sterling wins the game for City right at the death! It looked as if Southampton were going to be able to leave with a point, but Sterling pops up to deny them the opportunity do so. He cuts in from the left and plays a quick one-two with De Bruyne before shooting, and his excellent curling strike sails past the outstretched hands of Forster and into the top right-hand corner of the net. What an end!
It was De Bruyne who poked the ball back to Sterling to shoot, but that goal was all about the number seven. His swerving strike was perfectly hit and beautifully beat Forster on its way into the top corner of the net. Sensational!
90' +4
Sterling scores, but it's ruled out! City are finally able to launch a cross into the penalty area as they desperately try to carve out a late chance on goal. Forster charges out and tries to get a hand on the ball, but he fumbles it down into the ground and Sterling quickly fires it into the back of the net. It won't count though, as the referee awards a free-kick to the visitors for a push on the goalkeeper.
90' +2
City are trying everything they can to find a way through Southampton's packed defence, but they just can't seem to carve out any space for themselves. The visitors look incredibly well-organised and are making the home fans and players extremely irritated.
90'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be five minutes of added time.
89'
Southampton have every available body camped deep inside their own half of the pitch as they desperately try to hold onto what would be a very well-earned point. City are throwing everything they've got at them but, so far, they've been unable to find a second goal.
88'
Bernardo Silva twists and turns over on the right-hand side of the Southampton penalty area after the game gets underway once again. He then chips a cross over to Aguero, who rises high but can't quite reach the ball ahead of his marker.
87'
S. McQueen enters the game and replaces Cédric Soares.
After receiving medical attention on the pitch for a couple of moments, Cedric is led off the pitch to be replaced by Sam McQueen.
85'
This doesn't look good for Cedric, who has gone down after seemingly landing awkwardly. He was trying to halt David Silva after the Spaniard managed to get the better of him deep inside the Southampton half of the pitch, and it looks as if the injury suffered to his wrist might have brought an end to his evening.
83'
C. Austin enters the game and replaces S. Long.
Charlie Austin, who scored two goals on the weekend, comes on to replace Long for the final seven minutes of the game. Will he be able to find a winner for his side?
81'
City have made another change, with Bernardo Silva coming on to take the place of Gundogan.
The corner is a decent one, but Lemina is there to get a head on the ball and clear the danger. He can only do so as far as Kyle Walker, however, and the full-back then unleashes a long-range volley that fails to hit the target.
Minute
Description
80'
Bernardo Silva enters the game and replaces İ. Gündoğan.
79'
The home side keep moving the ball around quickly as they try to carve out a chance on goal and find a way back in front. Sterling looks as if he's going to be able to poke a pass through to a team-mate, but he can't quite do so and has to settle for a corner.
77'
City quickly push forward from the restart and win themselves another free-kick in a decent position midway inside the Southampton half of the pitch. Silva tries to pick out Sterling with a low pass into the box, but it fails to find the winger and is easily dealt with by the visitors.
75'
Oriol Romeu has scored a goal for Southampton! Assist by S. Boufal.
That was really good play by Boufal, who hasn't had too many chances to impress since coming onto the pitch but did really well to control the ball and perfectly pick out Romeu.
GOAL! Southampton have equalised! Boufal pops up over on the right-hand side of the hosts' box before quickly cutting a lovely pass back to Oriol Romeu. The Spanish midfielder is in a pocket of space, and he's easily able to blast a great strike past Ederson and into the back of the net.
74'
David Silva enters the game and replaces Gabriel Jesus.
City have made their first substitution of the evening, with Jesus making way for David Silva.
72'
De Bruyne charges through the middle of the pitch on a great run before unleashing a shot from 25 yards out, but Bertrand does really well to dart across the penalty area and block the strike before it can cause any problems for Forster.
70'
What a chance for Van Dijk! City haven't had to deal with too many corners since the break, but the first one they have to try and defend they're unable to do so. It's curled into the middle of the box and manages to pick out Van Dijk, but, luckily for the home side, his effort fails to hit the target.
68'
City pile plenty of bodies forward as they desperately try to double their lead, but De Bruyne ends up going down under a tackle from Boufal and the hosts are unable to carve out a chance on goal. The home players and fans scream for a foul, but the referee isn't interested and waves play on.
66'
S. Long gets yellow.
The visitors are starting to get increasingly frustrated as they struggle to hold onto possession for any decent length of time. Long has barely touched the ball since the break, and he ends up lashing out at Otamendi and catches the defender with a late challenge deep inside the City half of the pitch, resulting in him receiving a yellow card.
64'
S. Boufal enters the game and replaces P. Højbjerg.
Southampton have made an attacking alteration as they try to get back into the game, with Sofiane Boufal coming on to replace Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
62'
Fantastic opportunity for Aguero! Another corner causes all sorts of problems for the Southampton defence and this time picks out Aguero, who meets the ball well but can't find the back of the net with his bullet header.
60'
A clumsy foul out wide results in another free-kick for City in a dangerous position. This time De Bruyne decides to cut a pass back to Gundogan, who immediately shoots from the edge of the penalty area but can't guide his strike through the sea of defenders camped in front of him.
58'
Lovely touch by Ederson! Southampton eventually win back possession and try to kick-start a quick counter-attack. A lofted pass is fired over the top of the City back line and towards Long, but Ederson rushes out and manages to deal with the danger with a wonderful first touch that sees him control the ball perfectly.
56'
And now De Bruyne goes close! Yoshida clumsily loses the ball as he tries to clear the danger and gives it straight to De Bruyne, who immediately unleashes a rocket of a shot that's well saved by Forster.
55'
What a chance for Jesus! Space opens up for City on the break, allowing Aguero to dart through the middle of the pitch on a marauding run. He then pokes a pass into the penalty area and sets up Jesus, who quickly shoots but can't get the better of Forster.
54'
Van Dijk doesn't close down Gundogan quickly enough, allowing the German to latch onto a pass from De Bruyne before shooting. The strike is a good one and gives Forster a momentary scare, but it ends up sailing just wide of the near post.
52'
City showcase impressive passing deep inside the visitors' half of the pitch as they try to carve out another chance on goal, but Aguero ends up losing his footing on the edge of the penalty area and can't get a shot away.
50'
Southampton are able to push out of their own half of the pitch for the first time this half and win themselves a free-kick over on the right wing. The set-piece is fired in by Cedric and eventually manages to find Van Dijk, but the defender can't fully control the ball and ends up firing it behind for a goal-kick.
48'
Jesus almost immediately makes it 2-0! The Brazilian twists and turns over on the left-hand side of the Southampton box as he easily gets the better of Yoshida. He then unleashes a great shot, and it ends up flying just a yard or so wide of the far post.
47'
K. De Bruyne has scored a goal for Manchester City!
GOAL! City have taken the lead! The home side quickly push forward down the left flank and earn themselves a free-kick for a foul on Gabriel Jesus by Yoshida. De Bruyne's cross in is a good one and curls towards the near post, where Van Dijk sticks out a foot and ends up knocking the ball into the back of his own net.
46'
We're underway once again!
45' +2
Aguero makes a clever run into the left-hand side of the Southampton penalty area as he tries to carve out one final chance on goal before the break, but he's unable to get the better of Van Dijk, who easily shepherds the ball behind for a goal-kick.
45'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be two minutes of added time.
44'
The hosts are presented with a corner as we near the half-time break. It's swung in well by De Bruyne and manages to find the head of Otamendi, but the defender's effort on goal lacks the power or conviction needed to fully test Forster, who easily saves it.
42'
City push forward and do well to penetrate the Southampton box, but they're frustrated once again after a shot from De Bruyne is deflected and fails to trouble Forster. At the moment, it's all rather comfortable for Southampton.
40'
The home side come back once again, and this time they try to find joy deep down the left flank. It initially looks as if they're going to be able to carve out a chance on goal, but a low cross into the box fails to find a team-mate and is easily dealt with.
38'
City are comfortably managing to dominate possession, but they're really struggling to do much with it. This time it's De Bruyne who forced into shooting from a long way out, but his audacious effort fails to hit the target and sails high and wide of the goal.
36'
V. Kompany gets yellow.
Kompany has looked slightly off the pace this evening, and he has finally received the first yellow card of the game after halting an attempted run forward from Long.
34'
Yoshida goes close! Once again, City really struggle to deal with a corner and are caught all at sea inside their penalty area. A downward header is easily able to pick out Yoshida, who only has Ederson to beat from close range but ends up sending his volleyed effort over the top of the crossbar.
33'
Chance for Mario Lemina! The midfielder is brought into play in an advanced position for the first time tonight and does really well on the edge of the City penalty area. He twists and turns over on the left before nutmegging Kompany and shooting, but his low effort is tame and easily stopped by Ederson at the near post.
32'
Virgil van Dijk comfortably brings an end to another attempted City attacking move and immediately fires a lofted pass down the right flank and towards Cedric Soares. The wing-back does really well to keep the ball in play and fire a volleyed cross towards the near post, where Otamendi and Ederson get in a bit of a muddle and the defender nods the ball behind for a corner.
30'
De Bruyne gets himself into a decent position midway inside the Southampton half of the pitch and quickly tries to set up Sterling with a good pass into the box. However, Ryan Bertrand reads the danger well and is there to beat the winger to the ball before spinning and clearing the danger.
28'
After a lengthy period on the back foot, Southampton are able to push forward on a decent attack down the right wing. They do well to win themselves a throw-in, but it fails to result in anything and City are able to win back possession without too many problems.
26'
More good play by City almost results in them carving out another chance on goal, but they can't quite make their dominance of possession count as Aguero is caught offside just outside of the Southampton penalty area.
24'
What a chance for Ilkay Gundogan! Beautifully play from the home side on the edge of the visitors' box sets up Aguero to shoot, but the Argentine's low strike is well saved by the feet of Forster at the near post. The ball then bounces out to Gundogan, who unleashes a follow-up effort but can only find the side-netting.
23'
Kevin De Bruyne picks up the ball over on the right flank and quickly pokes a decent pass into the path of Sterling. The winger then fires a cross into the box that looks set to find a team-mate, but Maya Yoshida does really well to get a head on the ball first.
21'
City lose possession midway inside their own half of the pitch and allow a clever through-ball to be poked into their box. Long runs onto the pass and looks set to shoot, but Ederson rushes out and deals with the danger impressively.
20'
And now Otamendi goes close! The resulting corner is curled into the heart of the penalty area and manages to pick out Otamendi, who rises high above his marker but can't hit the target with his looping header.
19'
Another good opportunity for City! Sterling and Fernandinho link up well on the edge of the Southampton box before the Brazilian gets a decent shot away, but, once again, Forster is there to push the effort away from danger with a smart save.
18'
A really sloppy attempted clearance from Nicolas Otamendi is sent behind for a corner, resulting in groans erupting all around the ground. Luckily for the home side, the cross in is sent slightly too near to Ederson, who is easily able to collect the ball.
16'
Kompany commits another clumsy challenge deep down the left wing, resulting in another free-kick for the visitors in a promising position. Once again, the cross picks out a Southampton player, but this time they're unable to carve out a chance on goal.
14'
Two great saves by Forster! City immediately counter-attack as they try to take advantage of the space left available inside the Southampton half of the pitch, but Sterling's low strike is parried away by Forster before the goalkeeper quickly deals with the follow-up.
13'
Wesley Hoedt hits the crossbar! Southampton have been on the back foot so far, but they're able to give City a real scare from a corner. A curling cross is fired into the box and is nodded over to Hoedt, who, all alone in front of goal, quickly beats Ederson with a header that smashes the woodwork.
11'
It looks as if Sergio Aguero is going to be able to get a shot away from the left-hand side of the Southampton penalty area, but he can't find enough space for himself and can't pull the trigger. The ball then ends up finding its way over to Fernandinho, who unleashes a rocket of a strike from 30 yards out that bounces not too far wide of the near post.
9'
Shane Long picks up the ball for one of the first times this evening and is immediately pushed to the ground by Vincent Kompany, resulting in a free-kick for Southampton out wide. The visitors are unable to capitalise on it, however, as the ball sails straight into the hands of Ederson.
7'
Raheem Sterling, who has arguably been one of City's standout performers in recent weeks, tries to find some joy over on the right flank as he attempts to cut inside quickly, but he's closed down by a sea of red and white shirts and fails to make it into the box.
5'
City continue to comfortably keep hold of the ball as they patiently knock it around the Southampton half of the pitch. The visitors have already camped themselves deep inside their own half, and it looks as if they're set up to counter-attack quickly when opportunities present themselves.
3'
Unsurprisingly, it's City who comfortably dominate possession from the off as they try to carve out an early chance on goal. It's Fabian Delph who is able to unleash the first shot of the game, but his strike is fired straight into the hands of Fraser Forster and is easily stopped.
1'
We're off!
Good evening and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s Premier League game between Manchester City and Southampton at the Etihad.
A fantastic first third of the season has left City sitting pretty at the top of the table, and they can re-establish their eight-point gap over rivals Manchester United with another victory here tonight. Pep Guardiola’s impressive side have only dropped points in one Premier League game so far, with, surprisingly, Everton managing to hold them to a draw early in the campaign.
That occurred over three months ago, however, and since then City have looked absolutely unstoppable. All of their previous 18 games across all competitions have ended in wins, with Huddersfield Town the latest side to fall to the league leaders. The Citizens were made to work hard by the newly promoted team, but they showed great grit and determination to fight back from a goal down and leave with all three points.
As for Southampton, they’ve had to endure several frustrating games so far this season but nonetheless find themselves just outside of the top 10 heading into this evening’s clash. They were comfortably able to thrash out-of-form Everton on the weekend to pick up their biggest league victory since February, and that commanding performance no doubt will have given them confidence to bring to tonight’s big game.
Southampton have only managed to win one of their previous eight meetings with City, but they pulled off a solid performance in last season’s corresponding fixture to pick up a 1-1 draw and avoid leaving this part of Manchester empty-handed, something they hadn’t managed to do since 2004. With their opponents in such fine form, another draw this evening is certainly a result they’d happily take.
There’s just under 15 minutes left to go until kick-off, so let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up this evening…
Manchester City substitutes: Bravo, Mangala, Danilo, Diaz, Zinchenko, David Silva, Bernardo Silva.
Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Kompany, Otamendi, Delph; De Bruyne, Fernandinho, Gundogan; Sterling, Aguero, Jesus.
Southampton XI (5-3-2): Forster; Cedric, Yoshida, Van Dijk, Hoedt, Bertrand; Hojbjerg, Romeu, Lemina; Redmond, Long.
Pep Guardiola has decided to make two changes to the City side that beat Huddersfield on the weekend, with the most notable inclusion being Ilkay Gundogan, who replaces the rested David Silva to make his first start in the Premier League this season. Gabriel Jesus has also come into the starting line-up, with Leroy Sane making way.
Meanwhile, Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino has made five alterations to the team that featured in their last outing, with Steven Davis, James Ward-Prowse, Dusan Tadic, Sofiane Boufal and Charlie Austin making way for Maya Yoshida, Oriol Romeu, Mario Lemina, Nathan Redmond and Shane Long as they switch to a five-man defence.
The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off.
HALF-TIME: MANCHESTER CITY 0-0 SOUTHAMPTON
A few boos ring around the Etihad as the players make their way off the pitch, and they certainly aren't coming from the Southampton fans. It's proving to be a frustrating night for the home side, who have struggled to break down a stubborn and well-organised Saints side while looking slightly bereft of ideas in front of goal. They certainly need to improve if they're to find a way in front after the break.
The two teams are making their way back out on to the pitch ahead of the start of the second half. Neither side have made any substitutions during the half-time break.
FULL-TIME: MANCHESTER CITY 2-1 SOUTHAMPTON
Blimey, what a fantastic finale that was! It looked as if City were going to be held to a draw in the Premier League for the first time in over three months, but they refused to give up and finally found the back of the net with mere seconds remaining. They didn't perform brilliantly tonight, but, as they say, the sign of a title-winning side is the ability to win when you're not at your best, and that's certainly what they managed to achieve!
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