Manchester City against Liverpool

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Liverpool subs. Jovanovic off for Pacheco.

Odd to see Jo on as you would have thought he would have been let go. A penny for Adebayor's thoughts right now.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Yaya Toure off for Jo and Tevez off for Zabaleta.

Tevez nearly gets the ball across to Lescott, but Glen Johnson cuts it out. Adam Johnson is still causing problems, but City are making subs now.

Gerrard fires a misplaced pass now, and it's all just petering out for them now.

Kuyt can't control and keep hold of it, but that's been the story of their game.

Babel looks lively in his few minutes on the pitch. Liverpool have lacked width this game and Johnson has exposed that.

Gerrard releases Babel already, and he forces Hart into a save. Cuts inside well and hits it off the wet turf with his right foot.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Torres off and Babel on. Flashes from the Spaniard, but not enough.

Another City free-kick and Liverpool are conceding a lot of them now.

The rain is really hammering down now. Visibility is poor.

Carragher is beaten to the ball by Milner after a raking ball from Johnson. Glen Johnson comes across to stop the danger though.

Adam Johnson does really well again on the right, as the rain lashes down, in between two men and is fouled.

Gerrard battles to win the ball back after poor work from Glen Johnson against Milner.

Oddly, City have only had three shots on target. They've made them all count.

Torres shows a bit of class as he turns Richards on the spot. He smashes a shot across the goal, but the angle was a little too tight for him to hit the target.

Roy Hodgson is preparing some subs, but that won't help them much now.

Again, it's the possession game for City. Very calm, very cool, and they have nothing to worry about now as Liverpool look cooked.

Surely no way back for Liverpool now and this could be a morale crusher.

Skrtel is a very lucky man to stay on the pitch. Johnson has been the spark for City, but Tevez has the two goals!

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Tevez scores. 3-0. Cool as you like, just slots it to the keeper's right.

Skrtel crashed into him and there's no booking, which would mean the Liverpool man would have been sent off.

<b>PENALTY!</b> Adam Johnson fouled by Skrtel.

Kuyt with space, but a terrible cross doesn't beat the first man and City can break.

Torres really doesn't look like himself. Short of a bit of pace and blowing a little bit now after running himself into the ground.

Skrtel does well to spot the danger after a looping header falls in the box, just short of an advancing Milner as he hooks the ball away.

Kolo Toure stretches his legs down the right and City get the ball back for a bit. They seem happy just to play it about and make sure that the Reds can't get back into it.

Liverpool controlling the possession, but not causing the same kind of problems for City. It's all in their own half at the moment.

A few silly fouls keep breaking up the play and Kuyt is the latest to bring someone down. Phil Dowd will book another one soon.

City survived that string of attacks and now Liverpool are building again.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Micah Richards fouls Torres again and goes into the book.

Real matchwinning form from Hart again. He got lucky with Gerrard's shot, but was big and strong for the others.

A right mess in the box. Gerrard hammers a shot against the post, it rebounds off Hart and finds Kuyt. Hart then saves twice, first from Kuyt then from Jovanovic. Great stuff from the England No. 1.

Straight into the wall. What a waste.

Richards barges Torres over and is not happy about the award of a foul. Gerrard lines it up 30 yards out...

Brilliant defending from Kompany, backheeling his way out of trouble. The City fans are in full voice now and the side still look dangerous on the counter attack.

Liverpool starting to play with a bit more passion now, and Barry raises the tempo with a sliding tackle for City.

Very little touch from the skipper there, but it was enough to get it over the line and confuse Reina. 2-0.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> From the corner, Richards wins the header and Tevez hooks it over the line from in front of Reina.

Barry slides the ball through to Tevez, who beats the offside trap. He has to cut back though and, as the Liverpool defence gets back, Johnson gets the ball and his shot is deflected over the bar.

Liverpool attacking well as Ngog tries to find Lucas after pulling Kolo Toure out of position.

Jovanovic fires the ball low across the box but, even with two strikers, there was no-one in the area to get on the end of it. Hart claims with ease.

Lescott does well against the pace of Glen Johnson. He's playing out of his natural position at left-back as well, so there could be an area to exploit in the second half.

Tevez and City are putting a lot of pressure on the Liverpool defence when they have the ball. It works, as they are forced to clear quickly.

Messy play down the City right as both sides try and get hold of the bal. Not vintage stuff.

City give the ball away right away from the kick-off. Not a good start.

<b>Second Half</b>. Man City kick off.

<b>Richard Jolly will be bringing us a report on the game after full-time, so stay tuned for that after the second half.</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2010/0823/garethbarryteamceleb20100823_275x155.jpg"><br> Gareth Barry celebrates his strike.

<b>HT.</b> City have had the best of the game and certainly the chances. Liverpool came back a little towards the end, but Milner, Johnson and Barry have been the difference so far.

Torres bursts past his man, that's encouraging, but Kompany cuts him off at the pass.

One minute extra-time.

Liverpool get an opening. Jovanovic gets space and isolates Richards against Torres. He cuts inside and finds Gerrard on the edge of the box - wasted by the skipper though as it flies wide.

Yaya Toure is down with a head injury. Skrtel went crashing into him and it could have been knee/forearm/hip that knocked him down. He's a big bloke though, so he's not down for long.

Tevez is being given far too much space to take the ball and turn. Ngog and Torres are being rushed and lose the ball more often than they hold onto it at the moment.

Richards in the action again as his leap from the corner sees the ball fly over the bar. Not by much though.

Richards uses his strength at the other end now to barge over Agger. He slips the ball inside to Tevez, who takes it past his man, but can't get his shot past Carragher.

Glen Johnson now tries to lift the ball into the box, but Hart claims with ease. He hasn't really had much to do thus far.

Wonderful tackle by Richards on Jovanovic as the Serb tried to take it past him.

City break away and Johnson runs right at Agger. He cuts inside and has a shot, which is tipped round the post by Reina. Goal kick given though.

Liverpool are finding their feet a little more now and stringing a few passes together. They do seem to be missing Joe Cole's creativity though.

Yaya Toure is having a good game, he spreads the play well and then charges forward to add more bodies to the attack. Tevez overhits his throughball though.

Danger as Gerrard fizzes it across the box. Ngog picks it up, takes it past Lescott and has a shot, but Hart is comfortable down to his left.

That sums it up for Liverpool. Richards loses the ball when trying to keep it in play, Jovanovic picks it up and promptly runs it out of play when he was free down the right.

First Ngog is tackled by Barry, then when the ball breaks, he gets it away from the advancing Kuyt. Two for the price of one.

Relentless City pressure. Johnson causing havoc and Carragher has to clear from inside the six yard box. Agger now leaps to head the ball clear from Yaya Toure.

Barry lifts the ball into the box, but Tevez can't get his head on it. If Adebayor was on the pitch that could have been good.

Liverpool's narrow shape is exposed there as they try to attack and then lose the ball when trying to pass through about five City players within ten yards of each other.

Tevez makes a fool of Carragher just inside the box with some nifty footwork, but Agger comes across to help out and manages to get it away from him.

Richards uses his power to get the best of Jovanovic. Liverpool have hardly attacked down the flanks, so that may be his first touch.

Tevez putting plenty of pressure on the Liverpool defenders and it's proving tough work for Lucas and Gerrard to make an impact when they are being outnumbered.

Liverpool just haveb't recovered from the goal and aren't getting a kick. Good work from Yaya Toure who is linking the play and dropping back to mop up when needed.

Torres again show he's off the pace as he tries to take the ball past De Jong but loses it and then falls over theatrically.

City playing the possession game now and Liverpool really aren't looking sharp when they get on the ball. Johnson causing Agger all kinds of problems down the right.

Lescott held up City's counter attack there by dwelling on the ball, that was poor. Milner does well to get a ball across and Barry eventually smashes well wide from some distance out.

City are comfortable on the ball now, playing with patience. They don't have to attack as they have the important goal.

Terrible overhit free-kick from City again, but Agger kindly heads it away for a throw deep in the Liverpool half.

Quick question... is Dirk Kuyt actually playing? I'm sure he's on the pitch somewhere, but hasn't had a kick in the opening exchanges.

Tevez looking to take control up front, but his long pass is overhit and they have to build again.

Bit of a mix-up between Kompany and Hart as the defender clears from just in front of his keeper. City inviting some pressure now.

City look dangerous on the break and Liverpool are just struggling to get into the final third.

You have to say that if Liverpool had a proper left-back, instead of poor old Dan Agger forced to play there, then they might have done something about that goal. Good movement from City though.

So City take the advantage and Toure finds Tevez now bursting forward. His shot hits the side netting though.

Down, in part, to some good work from Yaya Toure up front. Quick feet and he set up Johnson who created the space and the killer pass.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Wonderful goal from Barry. Johnson slid the ball to Milner, who crossed and Barry was there to stab it home.

Torres tries a clever trick on the touchline, but just knocks the ball out of play. A big cheer from the fans who were hoping he would sign for their side this summer.

Yaya Toure is blowing already... it's only ten mins gone. Evidently he's not used to the more advanced role.

Gerrard trying to pull the strings in midfield and is getting on the ball a bit more. His ball forward is mopped up with ease though - he'll need more than that.

He's been the player of the game so far, that was very impressive.

Great shot from Johnson. Picks it up from De Jong about 30 yards out and he hammers it just past the far post.

Poor clearance from Hart finds Jovanovic, but his square ball is cut out by City players tracking back. Almost an opening there.

Milner looking a little frustrated already.. he's stuck out on the left wing for a change. Probably not used to that side of the pitch.

Worst shot of the year so far? Ngog tries to curl it from a horizontal pass and it dribbles along the floor into Hart's arms. Not sure it even counts as a shot.

Johnson is cauing problems down the right hand side. Shirt pulling gets him another free-kick and he's looked bright so far.

Liverpool look to break, but Lucas wastes the ball forward. What a shock.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Martin Skrtel hammers into Johnson on the wing. In the book.

Torres tries to work some magic in the box, but that's a great tackle by Barry.

In fact he's at the peak of a midfield diamond. Is Mancini a genius? Toure is hardly an attacking midfielder

Good work down the left by Lescott for City, but the door is closed quickly. Looks like Yaya Toure is playing in a more attacking role.. odd.

Liverpool open up with a spell of possession. Then Agger heads it away to Joe Hart.

Liverpool kick-off.

Here we go. The players are ready for kick-off.

The form book says Liverpool as they were pretty decent until they let Arsenal back into their 1-1 draw, and City was not great against Spurs. If Liverpool can beat Joe Hart they are in with a good shout.

Carlos Tevez has the captain's armband again. Not sure I'd want someone who has publicly said he's on the verge of retiring because he has lost his passion as my skipper...

It's a clear night up north, no rain around so the conditions should be favourable. Let's hope for another six-goal game...

It'll be interesting to see how both sides attack in this game, it's an early chance to get some points on the board against a rival. Liverpool are certainly on the attack with a 4-4-2 formation.

No Mario Balotelli either, which is a shame as I have money on a sending off. He's struggling with a knee injury.

Carlos Tevez is up front on his own, with Johnson and Milner alongside him. No room for David Silva or Emmanuel Adebayor.

City continue their central midfield domination with De Jong, Toure and Barry all in there and £18 million worth of James Milner shoved onto the wing.

Agger is fit enough to play at left-back after a concussion and Ngog keeps his place with Fernando Torres also given a start.

Team news is interesting. No Mascherano for Liverpool <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=816976&sec=england&cc=5739" target="_blank">as he is going on strike</a> over a move to Barcelona. Lucas comes in for him.

Hi all, and welcome to our coverage of Man City v Liverpool this lovely Monday night. If you're in the US, you can watch on ESPN 2, and of course you can keep up to date right here.

The pressure is already mounting. Read our preview <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=293044&cc=5739" target="_blank">here</a>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2010/0818/robertomancini20100814_275x155.jpg">

<b>Join us at 2000 BST for a pressure clash between two clubs with a lot to aim for.</b>

Torres shows a bit of class as he turns Richards on the spot. He smashes a shot across the goal, but the angle was a little too tight for him to hit the target.

Roy Hodgson is preparing some subs, but that won't help them much now.

Again, it's the possession game for City. Very calm, very cool, and they have nothing to worry about now as Liverpool look cooked.

Surely no way back for Liverpool now and this could be a morale crusher.

Skrtel is a very lucky man to stay on the pitch. Johnson has been the spark for City, but Tevez has the two goals!

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Tevez scores. 3-0. Cool as you like, just slots it to the keeper's right.

Skrtel crashed into him and there's no booking, which would mean the Liverpool man would have been sent off.

<b>PENALTY!</b> Adam Johnson fouled by Skrtel.

Kuyt with space, but a terrible cross doesn't beat the first man and City can break.

Torres really doesn't look like himself. Short of a bit of pace and blowing a little bit now after running himself into the ground.

Skrtel does well to spot the danger after a looping header falls in the box, just short of an advancing Milner as he hooks the ball away.

Kolo Toure stretches his legs down the right and City get the ball back for a bit. They seem happy just to play it about and make sure that the Reds can't get back into it.

Liverpool controlling the possession, but not causing the same kind of problems for City. It's all in their own half at the moment.

A few silly fouls keep breaking up the play and Kuyt is the latest to bring someone down. Phil Dowd will book another one soon.

City survived that string of attacks and now Liverpool are building again.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Micah Richards fouls Torres again and goes into the book.

Real matchwinning form from Hart again. He got lucky with Gerrard's shot, but was big and strong for the others.

A right mess in the box. Gerrard hammers a shot against the post, it rebounds off Hart and finds Kuyt. Hart then saves twice, first from Kuyt then from Jovanovic. Great stuff from the England No. 1.

Straight into the wall. What a waste.

Richards barges Torres over and is not happy about the award of a foul. Gerrard lines it up 30 yards out...

Brilliant defending from Kompany, backheeling his way out of trouble. The City fans are in full voice now and the side still look dangerous on the counter attack.

Liverpool starting to play with a bit more passion now, and Barry raises the tempo with a sliding tackle for City.

Very little touch from the skipper there, but it was enough to get it over the line and confuse Reina. 2-0.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> From the corner, Richards wins the header and Tevez hooks it over the line from in front of Reina.

Barry slides the ball through to Tevez, who beats the offside trap. He has to cut back though and, as the Liverpool defence gets back, Johnson gets the ball and his shot is deflected over the bar.

Liverpool attacking well as Ngog tries to find Lucas after pulling Kolo Toure out of position.

Jovanovic fires the ball low across the box but, even with two strikers, there was no-one in the area to get on the end of it. Hart claims with ease.

Lescott does well against the pace of Glen Johnson. He's playing out of his natural position at left-back as well, so there could be an area to exploit in the second half.

Tevez and City are putting a lot of pressure on the Liverpool defence when they have the ball. It works, as they are forced to clear quickly.

Messy play down the City right as both sides try and get hold of the bal. Not vintage stuff.

City give the ball away right away from the kick-off. Not a good start.

<b>Second Half</b>. Man City kick off.

<b>Richard Jolly will be bringing us a report on the game after full-time, so stay tuned for that after the second half.</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2010/0823/garethbarryteamceleb20100823_275x155.jpg"><br> Gareth Barry celebrates his strike.

<b>HT.</b> City have had the best of the game and certainly the chances. Liverpool came back a little towards the end, but Milner, Johnson and Barry have been the difference so far.

Torres bursts past his man, that's encouraging, but Kompany cuts him off at the pass.

One minute extra-time.

Liverpool get an opening. Jovanovic gets space and isolates Richards against Torres. He cuts inside and finds Gerrard on the edge of the box - wasted by the skipper though as it flies wide.

Yaya Toure is down with a head injury. Skrtel went crashing into him and it could have been knee/forearm/hip that knocked him down. He's a big bloke though, so he's not down for long.

Tevez is being given far too much space to take the ball and turn. Ngog and Torres are being rushed and lose the ball more often than they hold onto it at the moment.

Richards in the action again as his leap from the corner sees the ball fly over the bar. Not by much though.

Richards uses his strength at the other end now to barge over Agger. He slips the ball inside to Tevez, who takes it past his man, but can't get his shot past Carragher.

Glen Johnson now tries to lift the ball into the box, but Hart claims with ease. He hasn't really had much to do thus far.

Wonderful tackle by Richards on Jovanovic as the Serb tried to take it past him.

City break away and Johnson runs right at Agger. He cuts inside and has a shot, which is tipped round the post by Reina. Goal kick given though.

Liverpool are finding their feet a little more now and stringing a few passes together. They do seem to be missing Joe Cole's creativity though.

Yaya Toure is having a good game, he spreads the play well and then charges forward to add more bodies to the attack. Tevez overhits his throughball though.

Danger as Gerrard fizzes it across the box. Ngog picks it up, takes it past Lescott and has a shot, but Hart is comfortable down to his left.

That sums it up for Liverpool. Richards loses the ball when trying to keep it in play, Jovanovic picks it up and promptly runs it out of play when he was free down the right.

First Ngog is tackled by Barry, then when the ball breaks, he gets it away from the advancing Kuyt. Two for the price of one.

Relentless City pressure. Johnson causing havoc and Carragher has to clear from inside the six yard box. Agger now leaps to head the ball clear from Yaya Toure.

Barry lifts the ball into the box, but Tevez can't get his head on it. If Adebayor was on the pitch that could have been good.

Liverpool's narrow shape is exposed there as they try to attack and then lose the ball when trying to pass through about five City players within ten yards of each other.

Tevez makes a fool of Carragher just inside the box with some nifty footwork, but Agger comes across to help out and manages to get it away from him.

Richards uses his power to get the best of Jovanovic. Liverpool have hardly attacked down the flanks, so that may be his first touch.

Tevez putting plenty of pressure on the Liverpool defenders and it's proving tough work for Lucas and Gerrard to make an impact when they are being outnumbered.

Liverpool just haveb't recovered from the goal and aren't getting a kick. Good work from Yaya Toure who is linking the play and dropping back to mop up when needed.

Torres again show he's off the pace as he tries to take the ball past De Jong but loses it and then falls over theatrically.

City playing the possession game now and Liverpool really aren't looking sharp when they get on the ball. Johnson causing Agger all kinds of problems down the right.

Lescott held up City's counter attack there by dwelling on the ball, that was poor. Milner does well to get a ball across and Barry eventually smashes well wide from some distance out.

City are comfortable on the ball now, playing with patience. They don't have to attack as they have the important goal.

Terrible overhit free-kick from City again, but Agger kindly heads it away for a throw deep in the Liverpool half.

Quick question... is Dirk Kuyt actually playing? I'm sure he's on the pitch somewhere, but hasn't had a kick in the opening exchanges.

Tevez looking to take control up front, but his long pass is overhit and they have to build again.

Bit of a mix-up between Kompany and Hart as the defender clears from just in front of his keeper. City inviting some pressure now.

City look dangerous on the break and Liverpool are just struggling to get into the final third.

You have to say that if Liverpool had a proper left-back, instead of poor old Dan Agger forced to play there, then they might have done something about that goal. Good movement from City though.

So City take the advantage and Toure finds Tevez now bursting forward. His shot hits the side netting though.

Down, in part, to some good work from Yaya Toure up front. Quick feet and he set up Johnson who created the space and the killer pass.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Wonderful goal from Barry. Johnson slid the ball to Milner, who crossed and Barry was there to stab it home.

Torres tries a clever trick on the touchline, but just knocks the ball out of play. A big cheer from the fans who were hoping he would sign for their side this summer.

Yaya Toure is blowing already... it's only ten mins gone. Evidently he's not used to the more advanced role.

Gerrard trying to pull the strings in midfield and is getting on the ball a bit more. His ball forward is mopped up with ease though - he'll need more than that.

He's been the player of the game so far, that was very impressive.

Great shot from Johnson. Picks it up from De Jong about 30 yards out and he hammers it just past the far post.

Poor clearance from Hart finds Jovanovic, but his square ball is cut out by City players tracking back. Almost an opening there.

Milner looking a little frustrated already.. he's stuck out on the left wing for a change. Probably not used to that side of the pitch.

Worst shot of the year so far? Ngog tries to curl it from a horizontal pass and it dribbles along the floor into Hart's arms. Not sure it even counts as a shot.

Johnson is cauing problems down the right hand side. Shirt pulling gets him another free-kick and he's looked bright so far.

Liverpool look to break, but Lucas wastes the ball forward. What a shock.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Martin Skrtel hammers into Johnson on the wing. In the book.

Torres tries to work some magic in the box, but that's a great tackle by Barry.

In fact he's at the peak of a midfield diamond. Is Mancini a genius? Toure is hardly an attacking midfielder

Good work down the left by Lescott for City, but the door is closed quickly. Looks like Yaya Toure is playing in a more attacking role.. odd.

Liverpool open up with a spell of possession. Then Agger heads it away to Joe Hart.

Liverpool kick-off.

Here we go. The players are ready for kick-off.

The form book says Liverpool as they were pretty decent until they let Arsenal back into their 1-1 draw, and City was not great against Spurs. If Liverpool can beat Joe Hart they are in with a good shout.

Carlos Tevez has the captain's armband again. Not sure I'd want someone who has publicly said he's on the verge of retiring because he has lost his passion as my skipper...

It's a clear night up north, no rain around so the conditions should be favourable. Let's hope for another six-goal game...

It'll be interesting to see how both sides attack in this game, it's an early chance to get some points on the board against a rival. Liverpool are certainly on the attack with a 4-4-2 formation.

No Mario Balotelli either, which is a shame as I have money on a sending off. He's struggling with a knee injury.

Carlos Tevez is up front on his own, with Johnson and Milner alongside him. No room for David Silva or Emmanuel Adebayor.

City continue their central midfield domination with De Jong, Toure and Barry all in there and £18 million worth of James Milner shoved onto the wing.

Agger is fit enough to play at left-back after a concussion and Ngog keeps his place with Fernando Torres also given a start.

Team news is interesting. No Mascherano for Liverpool <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=816976&sec=england&cc=5739" target="_blank">as he is going on strike</a> over a move to Barcelona. Lucas comes in for him.

Hi all, and welcome to our coverage of Man City v Liverpool this lovely Monday night. If you're in the US, you can watch on ESPN 2, and of course you can keep up to date right here.

The pressure is already mounting. Read our preview <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=293044&cc=5739" target="_blank">here</a>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2010/0818/robertomancini20100814_275x155.jpg">

<b>Join us at 2000 BST for a pressure clash between two clubs with a lot to aim for.</b>