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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.

Southampton 0-1 Manchester City

21 minutes

Lovely interplay between Danilo and Aguero on the edge of Southampton's box. It doesn't quite come off, but City are playing some excellent stuff.

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 14:37

Sean Dyche might have been aware of Chris Wood's record against West Ham when he picked him in the starting XI this afternoon:

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 14:39

Southampton 0-1 Manchester City

25 minutes

The home fans are voicing their frustration. Their side have been comprehensively outplayed so far, and there's little they can do to stop City in full flow.

Aguero, yards out from goal, very nearly makes it two, but he's denied by McCarthy.

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 14:41

Southampton 0-1 Manchester City

29 minutes

Ederson is unflappable. Danilo plays the ball into the goalkeeper, who controls under pressure and then beats Højbjerg with a dummy. 

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 14:46

Southampton 0-1 Manchester City

32 minutes

A first spell of pressure for Southampton, who have improved over the last few minutes. They'd hardly been out of their own half before this, but they're forcing City into some defending now.

Aguero is in the book for a late challenge.

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 14:48

Southampton 0-1 Manchester City

33 minutes

A stunning save from Ederson, who gets down low and parries away Austin's header. Ward-Prowse has put in a couple of dangerous set pieces, and City look vulnerable to them.

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 14:49

GOAL! Burnley 2-0 West Ham (McNeil)

34 minutes

Burnley have capitalised on a sloppy first half from West Ham. Dwight McNeil, waiting at the back post, meets an excellent ball in from Ashley Westwood, sliding in to convert and double the hosts' lead.

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 14:51

GOAL! Southampton 1-1 Manchester City (Højbjerg)

37 minutes

City are caught out and Southampton equalise! Zinchenko dawdles on the ball, allowing Højbjerg to dispossess him. The midfielder drives forward and drills a powerful shot past Ederson. City need a response now.

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 14:52

Southampton 1-1 Manchester City

40 minutes

City had been dominant, seemingly back to their unplayable best. But Southampton have increased the pressure towards the end of the half and Guardiola's side have again succumbed to it. Their defensive issues will be a real concern for the Catalan coach.

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 14:57

Southampton 1-1 Manchester City

42 minutes

City attack for the first time in a while and Aguero, picked out by Silva, snatches at a shot, which trickles harmlessly wide. 

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 14:58

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