Into the first of three additional minutes and Kolarov goes into the book for time wasting, kicking the ball away following a free kick awarded to Southampton.
89'
The tempo has fizzled out as City appear to be home and dry. Southampton put up a great fight in the second half, cutting the deficit in half through Long and coming close on a few occasions to equalising. They got men forward well but were left exposed at the back and City finally made them pay, restoring their two goal lead and putting the game out of reach.
87'
Horrible from Bony! City break in numbers on the counter. Toure picks out De Bruyne, who plays an absolutely stunning ball forward to pick out Bony. The striker has the goal at his mercy, but scuffs his first-time effort miles wide! The flag went up for offside anyhow, but he knew little about it.
85'
STAT: Saints have won just two of their last 13 Premier League away games (W2, D5, L6), but are unbeaten on the road this season (W2, D4).
83'
MANE DENIED AGAIN! Southampton break four against two, which is inexcusable from a City standpoint. Mane drives into the area and had both Tadic and Juanmi to his left, but selfishly goes for goal himself. He makes good contact, but Caballero is in prime position to knock the effort behind for a corner.
81'
Toure stands level with the ball as he lines up a free kick from 25-yards out, after winning an argument with De Bruyne over who should take it. He tries to wrap his foot around the ball and curl an effort in at the near post, but the wall does its job.
79'
Southampton are keeping possession well in the attacking half, but given their two-goal advantage, City have numbers back in defence. The visitors will feel hard done by after such an encouraging showing over the last hour or so, but were made to pay for a dreadful opening 20 minutes.
77'
Juanmi enters the game and replaces J. Ward-Prowse.
All hands on deck now for Southampton as they bring on another attacking player in the form of Juanmi. The Spanish striker with join Long up top, playing just in behind him, with Ward-Prowse giving way.
75'
David Silva enters the game and replaces R. Sterling.
A roar of approval from the City fans as their magician David Silva is introduced for the final 15 minutes, making his long-awaited return from injury. Sterling is the one to give way.
Minute
Description
74'
STAT: Manchester City have mustered the most shots of any team in the top flight this season (164, not including blocked).
72'
The goal has really sucked the wind out of Southampton's sails. They were very much on the front foot and an equaliser appeared imminent, but they left themselves exposed a bit in defence and were made to pay. Kolarov's goal has assuredly curbed any hopes of ascendency from the visitors.
70'
Fernando enters the game and replaces F. Delph.
Fernando has come on to offer some fresh legs in midfield for the hosts, with Delph giving way.
69'
A. Kolarov has scored a goal for Manchester City! Assist by K. De Bruyne.
The chip across from De Bruyne in the buildup to not only spot Kolarov, but get the ball over to him, was extraordinary.
STUNNING STRIKE AND THAT MIGHT SETTLE IT! Kolarov finds himself in acres of space at the near post, taking a pass over the top and driving the absolutely perfect strike past Stekelenburg and just inside the far post. It has come completely against the run of play, it must be said.
68'
What an impact Tadic has made. He's provided the link they so desperately needed between midfield and attack, and is carving out chance after chance. He's asking questions of this City defence who are looking incredibly vulnerable without their skipper.
66'
It's Southampton who are surprisingly enjoying the better of possession, while City are inviting pressure before looking to break on the counter. They win the ball back just inside their own end and break with pace, but Toure's strike at the other end isn't enough to trouble Stekelenburg.
64'
W. Bony enters the game and replaces S. Agüero.
Heart into the stomach moment for City fans as Aguero immediately pulls up lame following an awkward landing at the far post. He appeared to roll his ankle and limps off very slowly here as he's replaced by Wilfried Bony.
62'
SHOULD BE LEVEL! Oh my what a chance that was! City are in sixes-and-sevens in defence as no one wants to take responsibility and put in a challenge, allowing Tadic to walk clean through into the area. He has the goal at his mercy and tries to chip Caballero, but the keeper keeps himself big to get a hand to it, before knocking the follow-up behind for a corner!
60'
SUPERB DEFENDING! He's been thrown into the gauntlet, Caulker, with the injury to Fonte, but has performed admirably. He's put into a tough one-v-one situation with Sterling inside the area but doesn't do anything rash, just reading the forward's feet and not over-committing, before ushering the ball behind for a corner.
58'
STAT: Manchester City have allowed fewer shots on target against them than any other team in the Premier League this season (37).
56'
M. Demichelis gets yellow.
NASTY CHALLENGE! Long takes a pass and flicks it beyong Demichelis, who simply tosses the Irishman to ground. It was a thumping challenge from the Argentine who becomes the second player booked in as many minutes.
55'
J. Ward-Prowse gets yellow.
Ward-Prowse commits a good team foul as he recognises the danger with Yoshida beaten before sliding in to chop Sterling to ground. It was a necessary challenge given the impending danger, and it earns him the first booking of the match.
53'
All the momentum is with Southampton at the moment! This is a dangerous period for the hosts who have been made to pay for their complacency. Everyone is breaking forward now for the Saints, as opposed to the first half when Mane and Long were largely stranded on an island.
51'
The buildup to the goal was minimal, coming off a quickly taken free kick from the visitors. It's how the free kick was awarded that has evoked controversy, however, as Roger East brings play all the way back to where Ward-Prowse was taken out by Kolarov, but he had allowed the play to go on for close to seven or eight seconds before making the decision.
49'
S. Long has scored a goal for Southampton! Assist by S. Mané.
SOUTHAMPTON BACK IN BUSINESS! It was a fantastic jump from Long at the far post who, despite being smaller in stature, rises above Demichelis to head home Mane's cross! Game on at the Etihad!
That goal was all made possible by the cross, however, as Mane floated it in wonderfully from the right. That seemingly stayed in the air for a full minute before meeting the head of Long!
48'
Delph just fails to sort his footing atop the six-yard box after taking a pass from Sterling out wide, who again had the beating of Yoshida. Over the course of the break the rain has come to a near full stop, which will be a welcome sight for these defenders.
46'
D. Tadić enters the game and replaces Oriol Romeu.
With goals the priority for Southampton in the second half, Ronald Koeman has opted to bring on winger Dusan Tadic for holding midfielder Oriol Romeu. That will likely see Davis drop into a deeper role.
Back underway at the Etihad!
45' +2
HALF TIME!
45'
The fourth official has indicated a minimum of two minutes of stoppage time at the end of the first half.
44'
YAYA AT HIS FINEST! Delightful running from the Ivorian who is so dangerous when he starts taking on defenders as such. He sprints forward and into the area with pace, but the final touch is just a bit heavy as it runs to Stekelenburg without getting a shot off.
42'
The visitors are finding more space in attack, with the likes of Bertrand and Yoshida able to draw the City full-backs into wider positions which opens up space in the middle. Long splits the two centre-backs and gets on the end of a pass from Ward-Prowse, but Caballero is able to punch his effort out of harm's way.
40'
Southampton have done well to steady themselves and get back into the game. They would love nothing more than a goal to show for their troubles before the break, however, giving them a glimmer of hope heading into the final 45 minutes.
38'
STAT: City were defeated at the Etihad last weekend by Liverpool, but have not lost back-to-back Premier League games at home since December 2008.
36'
S. Caulker enters the game and replaces José Fonte.
Steven Caulker has finished his very brief warm-ups and is finally set to come on for Southampton, who are back to full strength.
35'
Fantastic running from De Bruyne who beats a speedy Bertand along the right, showing incredible pace, as City look to exploit Southampton who are playing short one centre-back at the moment. The Belgian squares for Sterling inside the box, who turns and fires, but lifts his effort just over the bar.
33'
More injury concerns for Southampton! All attention was on Long following the challenge, which didn't even result in a free kick, but it's Jose Fonte who is the real fitness worry! The centre-back limps off with help and goes straight down the tunnel - meaning his night is probably over.
32'
Otamendi has really escaped with one here as he goes hard into Long, getting a stray knee into the back of the striker who goes to ground in considerable discomfort. It's the second harsh challenge in a few minutes from the Argentine who really should be in the referee's book.
30'
CLOSE! Decent hit from Ward-Prowse from the ensuing free kick, but it was always going to be difficult from that position for a right footer as there isn't enough bend behind it to squeak in at the near post.
29'
No doubt about this one! Great play from Mane who holds the ball up and then drives forward at Kolarov. Otamendi rushes across and blocks his passage through. It was a hard, no nonsense challege that will be awarded as a free kick by just about every referee in the world. The ball is placed as close at it could possibly be to the edge of the box without being a penalty.
27'
Smart goalkeeping! Really confident bit of play from Caballero who navigates his way through the mess of bodies to divert the free kick away from the head of Van Dijk, before getting back into position to save a follow-up effort from amidst the chaos!
26'
Better from Southampton who have adopted a bit more urgency to their play. Bertrand has the beaing of Sagna on the left and forces his counterpart into conceeding a free kick a few yards outside the area. The visitors can make something of this.
24'
STAT: Southampton have won just one of the last eight Premier League games against Man City (W1, D2, L5).
22'
OFF THE BAR! What terrific footwork from the centre-half as Van Dijk gets on the front foot and takes a pass from 25-yards out. He does so well to side-step a defender before driving a shot past Caballero, but is so unlucky as it rattles off the bar!
20'
F. Delph has scored a goal for Manchester City! Assist by K. De Bruyne.
It was a simple assist for De Bruyne, with Delph making the most of a routine pass from the Belgian.
CITY CRUISING AT THE ETIHAD! They're making a statement this afternoon and Southampton are the unfortunate victims. De Bruyne squares for Delph following a corner and the midfielder drives a shot in from range. It takes a harsh deflection off Van Dijk, leaving Stekelenburg with no chance.
19'
DAVIS ESCAPES WITH ONE! The Southampton midfielder sticks an arm out to block a header off the line, but it has gone unnoticed from the referee who only awards a corner! Had it been spotted, that could well have been a penalty and a sending off.
18'
Southampton's wide attacking players need to put in a better effort in tracking back. Mane is playing too narrow at the moment which has left Yoshida on the short end of a two-against-one with every City attack. The visitors are outnumbered and this is a team that punishes you for every mistake.
16'
The wall does its job as Kolarov's powerful drive strikes a defender before deflecting safely behind for a corner, though the danger isn't averted quite yet.
15'
Free kick in a dangerous position for the Sky Blues as Romeu is penalised for a foul atop the area. The ball is just slightly off centre, a couple of yards outside the box.
13'
STEKELENBURG TO THE RESCUE AGAIN! The keeper has been much busier than he would have liked over this opening quarter of an hour. Romeu gives the ball away so cheaply with an errant pass in his own half, allowing Delph to break. He plays De Bruyne through on goal, but the keeper gets enough of the strike to divert it behind.
11'
STAT: Raheem Sterling has scored in three of his five Barclays Premier League games against Southampton.
9'
K. De Bruyne has scored a goal for Manchester City! Assist by R. Sterling.
Sterling made that all possible with his delightful run along the left, serving the ball up on a platter for the Belgian.
CITY HAVE THEIR BREAKTHROUGH! It has been coming in fairness. Sterling makes a darting run along the left channel and into the penalty area before squaring for De Bruyne who taps a finish into an empty net.
7'
WONDERFUL AGAIN FROM THE KEEPER! Stekelenbug covers a lot of ground in scrambling over to the near post to keep out Kolarov's effort which was destined for the top corner. Two City players are there to follow up on the rebound, but the keeper holds his ground from a difficult position to keep the ball off the line.
5'
City have started very much on the front foot here. They have a slight concern as Aguero is hacked to the ground by Wanyama after an encouraging run, but he appears fine to continue. The referee has a long talking to with the Southampton midfielder who escaps for now with only a warning.
3'
EXQUISITE GOALKEEPING! Great linkup play on the left between Sterling and Toure to play the Ivorian through. His shot is parried smartly by Stekelenburg, before Davis puts him in a difficult position with an ineplicable back-pass, but the keeper is able to react quickly to clear with his feet and avoid the use of his hands.
1'
Southampton get us underway, kicking right to left.
Hello Premier League fans around the world and welcome to our live coverage of Manchester City and Southampton from the Etihad, as Mauricio Pochettino’s men look to reclaim top spot in the table. The hosts followed a shock 4-1 defeat to Liverpool last weekend with another failure against Juventus midweek in the Champions League. There is hardly reason for them to panic, but they aren’t in a position in the league to be able to drop points without consequence, meaning a victory has to be on the cards for them today.
Southampton were dealt a defeat of their own last weekend in their return from the international break, undone by an early Bojan goal as Stoke stole three points at St. Mary’s. It gets a lot tougher for Ronald Koeman’s side today at the Etihad as they try and avoid falling too far behind the top four. They’ve yet to lose on their travels this season, taking points at Stamford Bridge and Anfield, but this marks arguably their toughest test to date.
CONFIRMED TEAM NEWS:
MANCHESTER CITY (4-2-3-1): Caballero; Sagna, Otamendi, Demichelis, Kolarov; Delph, Fernandinho; De Bruyne, Toure, Sterling; Aguero.
SUBS: K. Davis, Clasie, Tadic, Martina, Juanmi, Ramirez, Caulker.
Joe Hart latest injury casualty, straining his hamstring midweek. Vincent Kompany, Pablo Zabaleta and Eliaquim Mangala are all out. Willy Caballero deputises in defence as a result. The hosts have made three other changes following their midweek defeat to Juventus, with Aleksandar Kolarov, Fabian Delph and Raheem Sterling into the startin lineup in place of Gael Clichy, Fernando and Jesus Navas. David Silva returns from injury and is available as a substitute.
Shane Long is chosen to lead the lines for Southampton with Graziano Pelle (suspension) and Jay Rodriguez (injury) unavailable. Sadio Mane is back in the starting lineup after being relegated to a role as a substitute against Stoke, forcing Dusan Tadic to the bench. Two other changes have been applied by Ronald Koeman with Maya Yoshida and Oriol Romeu starting ahead of Cedric Soares and Jordy Clasie.
The players have taken to the pitch on what is proving to be a wet day in Manchester, with rain in the forecast for the next 24 hours. It's coming down steadily, but not hard, which should prevent the water from playing any real part in the match.
MANCHESTER CITY 2-0 SOUTHAMPTON. The Sky Blues came flying out of the gate, but the Saints are the architects of their own downfall with sloppy play in their own end leading to goals for Kevin de Bruyne and Fabian Delph inside 20 minutes. They have since settled in nicely, with Virgin van Dijk going closest to scoring, but Jose Fonte has been forced off injured while Steven Davis is lucky to still be on the pitch.
That's all from us here at the Etihad! Thank you for following our live coverage of the match. Good bye!
Goals from Kevin de Bruyne and Fabian Delph gave the hosts a commanding lead early, before Shane Long pulled one back for the visitors after the break. Saints continued to respond well, but Alex Kolarov curbed any hopes of ascendency as he put the final nail in the coffin. City go top of the table for the time being, with Leicester and Man United still to play later today.
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