Southampton against Manchester City

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

<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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

<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.

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

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.

<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.

<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.

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

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

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

<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.

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.

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...

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

<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.

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

Lallana is preparing to come on for Southampton...

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

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

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

<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?

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

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

Southampton with 61% of the second-half possession.

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

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.

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

<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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

City get the second half underway...

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.

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

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.

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.

Two minutes of added on time to be played.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

But his effort goes straight into the wall.

Aguero is standing over it...

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

<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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

Manchester City get the first half underway...

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

<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.

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

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.

<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.

<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.

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

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

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

<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.

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.

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...

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

<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.

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

Lallana is preparing to come on for Southampton...

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

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

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

<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?

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

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

Southampton with 61% of the second-half possession.

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

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.

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

<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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

City get the second half underway...

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.

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

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.

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.

Two minutes of added on time to be played.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

But his effort goes straight into the wall.

Aguero is standing over it...

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

<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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

Manchester City get the first half underway...

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.