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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 0-1 Chelsea

90 minutes

Four minutes of added time will be played. Morata has a great chance to pick out a teammate on the break but loses the ball and Palace continue to push forward.

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 13:49

Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea

90+2 minutes

Milivojevic curls a free kick dangerously towards the far post. Luiz is there with a strong header. Good defending from the Brazilian centre back.

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 13:50

Full time: That's it! Chelsea hold on, but they always looked comfortable. A narrow, unspectacular victory at Selhurst Park, but no less important than any of their previous wins. Chelsea move to within a point of Manchester City and go five clear of fifth placed Arsenal.

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 13:53

Kante's goal was enough for Chelsea in the end. Palace defended well for much of the game, but they didn't have enough to threaten the Blues' defence. Hodgson's side stay in 14th, still with work to do to remain out of trouble this season.

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 13:56

Our attention turns to the 2.15 kick offs now. Manchester City go to Southampton looking to avoid a third consecutive defeat, while Burnley, desperate for points, host West Ham. 

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 14:00

Team News

Here are the Southampton and Manchester City teams:

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 14:01

City make five changes to their team, with Kompany and Fernandinho back. 

For Southampton, it's a youthful lineup. Kayne Ramsay, just 18-years-old, starts for the Saints.

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 14:04

A few weeks back this would have been viewed as a near guaranteed City win. But their poor form and Southampton's resurgence under new boss Ralph Hasenhuttl makes this an interesting one. If City don't win, the gap to Liverpool will be even bigger ahead of next week's crucial game against the Reds at the Etihad.

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 14:10

The teams are out at St Mary's. Kick off is minutes away...

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 14:14

We're underway! Can City return to winning ways?

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 14:16

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