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As it happenedended

Manchester City ease past Southampton to keep title hopes alive

Relive the action action from St Mary’s

Callum Rice-Coates
Sunday 30 December 2018 17:24 GMT
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Manchester City: A look back at 2018

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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.

Can Sergio Aguero get City back to winning ways?
Can Sergio Aguero get City back to winning ways? (Getty Images)

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.

Crystal Palace 0-0 Chelsea

49 minutes

A similar pattern, unsurprisingly, has resumed after the break. Chelsea are probing, but still struggling to create anything.

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 13:07

GOAL! Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea (Kante)

51 minutes

From nowhere, Chelsea lead. Kante makes a run in behind and David Luiz picks him out with a deft ball over the top. The Frenchman chests it down and guides the ball past Guaita with his left foot. It's further vindication for Sarri, who has persisted with Kante in this advanced role.

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 13:09

Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea

55 minutes

Palace will have to change their approach now. They've hardly been out of their own half and done nothing to concern Chelsea in an attacking sense. The gameplan had been working, but their dependence on keeping a clean sheet might cost them here.

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 13:13

Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea

57 minutes

Willian is down after a coming together with Milivojevic. Palace broke forward encouragingly but have lacked any real quality in the final third so far.

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 13:16

Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea

62 minutes

Not much has changed since the goal. Chelsea continue to dominate the ball and look the more likely to score again. Palace's attacks are sporadic and disjointed.

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 13:20

Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea

64 minutes

Azpilicueta breaks into the box and looks to pick out a teammate. Schlupp gets back, though, and dispossesses him. Chelsea are in complete control. This has, for long periods, looked more like a training session than a football match.

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 13:23

Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea

67 minutes

Townsend breaks down the right and crosses. The ball in is blocked but there are some shouts of handball from the home support. There's no real conviction in the appeals for a penalty, though.

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 13:25

Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea

68 minutes

Hazard stands up Palace's defenders and flicks the ball into the path of Willian, The Brazilian's shot is saved and Barkley fires the rebound towards goal. It's deflected just wide of the far post. 

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 13:27

Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea

69 minutes

Palace make their first change: Connor Wickham replaces Jeffrey Schlupp.

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 13:28

Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea

72 minutes

Willian plays the ball to Azpilicueta, who made an overlapping run with no one tracking him. The Spaniard's ball in is too close to Guaita, though, and Palace get away with some lapse defending.

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 13:31

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