Manchester City ease past Southampton to keep title hopes alive
Relive the action action from St Mary’s
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Manchester City warmed up for Thursday's pivotal Premier League battle with Liverpool by coasting past 10-man Southampton 3-1 at St Mary's.
David Silva and Sergio Aguero struck for City, with James Ward-Prowse's own goal also helping Pep Guardiola's men get back to winning ways.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg fired a fine first-half goal for Saints, only to be sent off late on for a two-footed tackle.
City hit back from defeats to Crystal Palace and Leicester with ease, reclaiming second place and cutting Liverpool's Premier League lead to seven points.
Relive the action below.
What time does it start?
Southampton vs Manchester City kicks off at 2:15pm (GMT)
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports Premier League.
Independent Sport will also keep you up to date with all the goals via our live blog.
Highlights will be shown on Match of the Day Two at 10:30pm on BBC One.
Player to watch…
Sergio Aguero: The Argentinian striker has managed eight goals and five assists in just 15 Premier League appearances this season and when he’s on the pitch, he’s always a threat. Aguero has failed to score in his last four league matches and is in direct competition with Gabriel Jesus for the starting spot.
Form guide…
Southampton: LWWLLD
Man City: LLWLWW
Odds…
Southampton: 19/2
Manchester City: 3/10
Draw: 23/5
(Odds provided by 888 Sport)
Prediction…
Southampton 0-3 Man City: This game is absolutely crucial for Pep’s side. They can’t afford anything other than wins now, especially with Liverpool consistently winning matches. I feel Southampton will unluckily fall victims of a relentless bounce back City performance.
Southampton 1-3 Manchester City
52 minutes
Silva swings in a free kick and Laporte meets it. His header is wayward, though, and loops harmlessly over the bar.
Southampton 1-3 Manchester City
53 minutes
Crucial intervention from Targett, who slides in and gets a foot on a Sterling pass that was on its way into the path of Aguero. Southampton are working hard just to keep City out at the moment.
Southampton 1-3 Manchester City
55 minutes
McCarthy makes another impressive save. Sterling and Silva play a one-two, and the former finds himself through on goal. The goalkeeper makes himself big to keep out Sterling's left-footed shot.
Burnley 2-0 West Ham
58 minutes
Burnley should be out of sight at Turf Moor. Chris Wood, since opening the scoring, has missed a couple of golden opportunities. West Ham are showing no signs of coming back into it, though.
Southampton 1-3 Manchester City
58 minutes
Austin is in the book for a poor challenge from behind on Fernandinho. Frustration got the better of him there.
Southampton 1-3 Manchester City
59 minutes
A first change for Southampton as Romeu makes way for youngster Yan Valery.
Southampton 1-3 Manchester City
59 minutes
Mahrez plays a quick ball into the feet of Aguero, who swivels and hits a shot with his left foot. It cannons off the bar and away from danger. There are more goals in this for City.
Southampton 1-3 Manchester City
61 minutes
Southampton are really struggling to get out now. Mahrez, on the edge of the box, tries to curl one towards the far corner, but it's blocked by one of the many red and white shirts in the box.
Southampton 1-3 Manchester City
63 minutes
City break quickly from a Southampton free kick and Sterling picks out Aguero. His effort, on the slide, is blocked by Ward-Prowse.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments