You could hear a pin drop in the Etihad at the moment as the crowd slowly awaits the final whistle. This result certainly stands City well in their pursuit to maintain their position in the top four, as well as building confidence for their upcoming European duties.
90'
City are just going throw the motions in these latter stages. Four minutes of added time is the order of the day and the home side don't have too many moments remaining before turning their attentions to toppling the almighty Real Madrid in the Champions League. Such an exciting fixture!
88'
With the scoreline the way it is, it doesn't seem likely that we will see too much added time allocated by the referee at the Etihad, even with the substitutions, goals, and injuries on show. Mark Hughes, his side, and the Stoke fans just want to head home right about now!
86'
The Etihad fans rise off their seats in applause as Yaya Toure manages to shake off whatever knock he received to enter back into the action. Even if he is okay, should he not be taken off for the last five minutes just to be sure? City have the game wrapped up, after all.
84'
Some worrying scenes for City at the moment as Toure is currently in a lot of pain after going down under the late challenge from Cameron. It looks like the Ivorian has picked up a knock to the lower thigh or the knee, and he eventually moves to the side of the pitch to receive treatment. Not exactly what Pellegrini wants to see before Champions League duties coming up...
82'
Adam has been tasked with the set-piece duties after his introduction and he stands over a corner on the right wing to whip a superb cross into the area. Shawcross rises high to try and get on the end of it, but Toure beats him to the punch with a glancing header to clear the danger out of the penalty box.
80'
Ten minutes to go and it is actually Stoke who are pressing for the fifth goal of the match to give something, anything to give their supporters something to cheer about on the trip home. In the grand scheme of things, the visitors today have nothing to play for in the league, so not a lot should be read into the result.
78'
Expect a low-tempo end to the match here as City attempt to exert as little energy as possible before we reach full time. If you compare this Stoke performance to that of the previous match between the two when the Potters comfortably won 2-0, then it is like night and day - they have been awful this afternoon defensively.
76'
Things go from bad to worse for the Potters here as it looks like their best player on the day, Arnautovic, is going to be forced off with an injury. Unclear as to what he has picked up, but the signs aren't positive as he trudges to the dugout to be replaced by Charlie Adam.
75'
C. Adam enters the game and replaces M. Arnautović.
Minute
Description
74'
K. Ịheanachọ has scored a goal for Manchester City! Assist by W. Bony.
Superb link-up play from Bony as he assists Iheanacho's second.
GOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLL FOR MAN CITY! IHEANACHO AGAIN! Bony makes a positive impact off the bench as he holds the ball up top with strength before sending his team-mate through on goal, who rounds the goalkeeper with composure before slotting into an empty net! Four-nil. GAME OVER.
73'
Third and final change from the Chilean boss and it sees the opening goalscorer, Fernando, make his way off the pitch to be replaced by Martin Demichelis, who will just be deployed in the centre of midfield alongside Toure for the last portion of the match. Pretty unlikely that duo will feature in midfield together this coming week against Real Madrid...
72'
M. Demichelis enters the game and replaces Fernando.
71'
Just under 20 minutes to go at the Etihad and it is looking increasingly unlikely that Stoke are going to mount a comeback here, as their poor run continues. Even if they don't concede another goal today, this will make it 11 shipped in three games which will certainly be a cause for concern for Hughes.
69'
City are looking much more confident since that third goal went in and it has almost become a bit of an exhibition match for them now, with patient possession in the middle of the park the tactic to run down the remaining time on the clock.
67'
Stoke will be wondering just how they have managed to find themselves three goals down here, especially with how well they have played since the break. Three very poor bits of defending have ultimately cost them, but if they find a goal now they could potentially ensure a nervous end to the match for City.
65'
W. Bony enters the game and replaces S. Agüero.
Pellegrini reacts almost immediately to that goal going in for Man City and withdraws his star man, Aguero, who will be given a rest so he is in top form for the visit of Madrid this week. His replacement will be Wilfried Bony, who will certainly want to grab his opportunity of some playing time with both hands.
64'
K. Ịheanachọ has scored a goal for Manchester City! Assist by P. Zabaleta.
Excellent attacking work from Zabaleta as he sets up his team-mate after a penetrating venture to the byline.
GOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLL FOR CITY! COMPLETELY AGAINST THE RUN OF PLAY! Zabaleta goes on a marauding run down the right wing and skips past Wollscheid all too easily before reversing a pass inside to Iheanacho, who comfortably slots home to earn his 10th goal of the season! Three-nil!
62'
Fair play to Stoke as they have been superb after the break, perhaps after receiving a much-needed ticking off from Hughes. They have been by far the better side in the second half but they need to capitalise on their ascendancy and score their opening goal otherwise they may get punished.
60'
SAVE FROM HAUGAARD! Even with Stoke dominating the second period, City manage to venture up into opposition territory to earn a corner. Navas once again swings a decent cross into the box and this time it drops fortuitously to Toure, who smuggles away a low strike aimed towards the bottom corner. Safe hands from the substitute, though, who gets down to make the block on the line.
58'
Mangala hasn't exactly oozed confidence when on the ball this season, and almost costs his team dearly here as he hits a lackadaisical pass back to Hart in the box which Arnautovic very nearly pounces upon through on goal. Luckily for the Frenchman, he is bailed out by his keeper who proactively comes off his line to clear.
57'
F. Delph enters the game and replaces David Silva.
56'
First change of the match from Manchester City here and Pellegrini does indeed opt to rest another one of his star players for the second period with Real Madrid on the horizon. Leaving the pitch is David Silva and he'll be replaced by Fabian Delph.
54'
DIOUF SHOULD BE SCORING! Stoke have enjoyed a decent opening portion to the second half with plenty of pressure heaped on the opposition defence. They earn a corner which is floated in dangerously to the front post to be met by the Senegal international, but he only succeeds in slamming a header into the side-netting!
52'
You get the feeling that this second half will be what Manchester City make of it in terms of attacking ambition going forward. Pellegini doesn't want to see any player out there, especially Aguero, pick up any kind of injury before the Real Madrid match, so the hosts may just take it a bit easy to see out the three points.
50'
Great strike from Iheanacho! The Nigeria international has impressed in a rare start this afternoon and remains eager to add to his tally for the season with a blistering strike on goal from 30 yards out, but the recently introduced Haugaard retreats well to tip over the bar for a City corner.
48'
WHAT A MISS AGAIN FROM JOSELU! Zabaleta is caught out of position at right-back and Arnautovic takes advantage to burst down the left wing before setting up the former Hannover striker inside the area, but he subsequent strike on goal is screwed high and wide over the crossbar, with Hart not troubled at all between the sticks!
46'
J. Haugaard enters the game and replaces S. Given.
A change to report at half-time as Given is forced off with a groin injury to be replaced by Jakob Haugaard.
We are back under way in this Barclays Premier League clash!
45'
You have to feel for Hughes a bit upon his return to face his former club, as his current side are going into the break 2-0 down despite being organised well by the Welshman pre-match. A poorly defended corner and a baffling foul from Shawcross inside the box have gifted City this lead going into half-time.
43'
Penalty goal scored by S. Agüero for Manchester City!
GOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLL FOR MAN CITY! Aguero, who has actually missed a couple of penalties in recent times, makes no mistake on this occasion and dispatches the spot-kick high into the left corner! Two-nil! A massive mountain to climb for Stoke now.
41'
PENALTY FOR MAN CITY! Iheanacho collects possession to feet inside the box and passes square to Toure, looking for the one-two to be played in behind the Stoke defence, but before he can make his way through he is stupidly hauled to the floor by Shawcross, who gives no complaints to the referee for the decision. Such a daft challenge!
39'
Aguero picks up the ball in a central area midway through the Stoke half and embarks on a powerful dribble, taking on challenge after challenge as he goes. He eventually bursts his way into the penalty area before faking to shoot and shifting possession on to his left foot, but Wollscheid reads it well and makes the vital interception before the trigger is pulled.
37'
Mark Hughes will be extremely disappointed to lose the opening goal in such a fashion as his side have actually defended solidly in the opening portion of this match apart from that damaging set-piece. Geoff Cameron was the man marking Fernando for the goal, but he just let the Brazilian get away far too easily to drift to the near post.
35'
Fernando has scored a goal for Manchester City! Assist by Jesús Navas.
Lovely corner kick into the box from Navas, who assists Fernando's opener.
GOOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLLLL FOR MAN CITY! THE HOSTS TAKE THE LEAD! Navas is charged with the corner-kick down the right wing and hits a simple floated cross to the front post, where Fernando gets away from his marker to glance a superb header into the bottom left corner! As simple as you like! One-nil!
33'
Now it is City's turn to play the patient passing game with some short, stabbed balls to each other in the final third. The ball comes to Navas on the right flank and he curls a dangerous, bouncing cross to the back post, but even with the risk of an own goal prominent, Bardsley manages to clear away with a slid interception.
31'
City have really let the intensity of their play drop here even after a relatively promising opening five minutes or so. Given, who conceded four goals against Tottenham on Monday night and almost always seemed to be busy between the sticks in that clash, has had very little to do today upon his return to the Etihad to face his former club.
29'
WHAT A MISS FROM JOSELU! A great period for Stoke at the moment as they camp City back in their own half. Possession eventually comes to Arnautovic who hits the byline before standing a teasing cross to the edge of the six-yard box, but the Spaniard heads off target completely unmarked as the Potters pass up a massive opportunity to take the lead!
27'
UNLUCKY IMBULA! Stoke enjoy a nice little period of sustained possession in and around the City box and the ball eventually comes to the former Porto midfielder, who catches a lovely volley at goal from around 25 yards out, but even with Hart scrambling to get back, the hosts survive as it floats just over the bar.
25'
Toure collects possession in his favourite position around 25 yards out in the middle of the park and attempts to turn sharply before driving towards goal, only to be robbed of the ball by Imbula. Stoke eventually launch the counter, but Arnautovic's pass through to Joselu goes harmlessly into the arms of Hart.
23'
Just beyond the midway point of this first half at the Etihad here and unfortunately for the viewing public, the tempo has just dropped ever-so-slightly in the past couple of minutes or so. You can understand some complacency starting to creep in among certain players at this stage of the season, but there is still plenty to play for.
21'
Iheanacho displays some impressive strength on the edge of the Stoke penalty area to retain possession before poking inside to Toure, who subsequently lays the ball on a plate for Kolarov. The left-back is urged to shoot by the home crowd and does so, but the strike takes a wicked deflection on the route to goal and flashes behind for a corner-kick.
19'
Muniesa shows some decent attacking ambition to dash down the left wing before finding a yard of space to get the cross into the danger area. Like Whelan's free-kick a few minutes ago, it almost takes Hart by surprise just by moving a bit in the air, but the City goalkeeper is let off the hook as it floats behind for a goal-kick.
17'
How have City not managed to find the net here?! Jesus Navas stands over a free-kick a few yards in from the right touchline and curls a wicked cross deep to the back post, which Otamendi manages to get on the end of. Unfortunately for the hosts, it is a poor connection from the Argentine defender which allows Given to pounce on the loose ball a yard off his line.
15'
A real chance passed up by Stoke! A corner is floated into the area with pace and Toure's poor clearance goes straight to the feet of Shawcross around 15 yards out, but the subsequent strike on goal from the club captain is poorly flashed off target, even with plenty of time and space at his disposal! Hughes can't believe it on the touchline.
13'
The visitors are awarded a cheap free-kick deep down the right wing and Whelan is tasked with it. The Ireland international steps up and whips a dangerous cross-cum-shot into the area which almost catches Hart out at the front post, but luckily for the hosts, the City keeper is alert enough to tip over the crossbar.
11'
Stoke have not been at their best to say the least in terms of defending since the turn of the year, but with players such as Afellay and Shaqiri missing they certainly have a lot more braun out there as opposed to the more technical players. Plenty of pace available on the counter-attack, too.
9'
A positive start to the match from City here, who have looked energetic in these early stages as they attempt to claim an early lead. A lackadaisical performance would certainly raise worries before the match against Real Madrid, but it looks like Pellegrini has them fired up for the game today as well as the upcoming Champions League clash.
7'
IHEANACHO! HOW CLOSE WAS THAT?! Aguero collects the ball down the right-hand side, and even with two markers hounding him for possession, manages to break free with a lovely bit of trickery before finding his strike partner at the edge of the box. The resulting strike on goal is whipped towards the bottom corner, but it misses the inside of the post by inches!
5'
Key players, such as De Bruyne and Kompany, have been rested for today's match with Los Blancos on the horizon this week, but it is still a fairly strong side put out by Pellegrini this afternoon. Aguero could certainly have been given the game off, too, but with the goalscoring form he is in the momentum needs to be maintaned.
3'
The stadium isn't exactly jumping in this lunchtime kick-off as there are a few empty seats visible at the Etihad, but too much shouldn't be read into that with City not having a whole lot to play for in the league other than confirming a place in the top three or four. The Champions League clash against Real Madrid should be much different in terms of atmosphere!
1'
We are under way at the Etihad!
Good afternoon football fans! Welcome to LIVE coverage of the Barclays Premier League lunchtime kick-off clash between Manchester City and Stoke from the Etihad.
TEAM NEWS...
Man City subs: Caballero, Demichelis, Clichy, De Bruyne, Delph, Bony, Sterling.
Man City (4-4-2): Hart; Zabaleta, Mangala, Otamendi, Kolarov; Navas, Toure, Fernando, Silva; Iheanacho, Aguero.
Unfortunately for City, their pursuit of the Premier League title has been highly disappointing this campaign, as they have been usurped in the race by high-flying Leicester as well as Tottenham. They are currently in fourth place, 12 points behind the Foxes, whilst only narrowly two points ahead of fifth-placed Manchester United, who are hot on their heels for Champions League qualification.
With Manuel Pellegrini set to leave the club at the end of the season to be replaced by Pep Guardiola, the Chilean will be eager to ensure his tenure comes to a successful end. The Capital One Cup is already in the bag for the Citizens, but further challenges are still in place as they try to maintain their position in the top four, whilst also targeting a place in the Champions League final if they can overcome Real Madrid over two legs in the semi-final.
Stoke have enjoyed a solid season this year and are currently placed in ninth with 47 points taken from 34 matches. A very promising first half of the campaign has slumped in recent times, though, as they have notched up just one win in their last six Premier League matches, while shipping four goals in each of their last two fixtures. Their last two games saw disappointing defeats against Liverpool and Tottenham in 4-1 and 4-0 results respectively.
The teams are making their way to the pitch and we are almost ready for kick-off!
Mark Hughes does not have the luxury which Pellegrini has in regards to a fully fit squad available for this afternoon's fixture. Stoke are currently without Erik Pieters, Jon Walters, Marc Wilson, Glen Johnson, Xherdan Shaqiri, and Jack Butland. The England keeper will likely be deputised once again by veteran goalkeeper Shay Given, who made a debut to forget on Monday against Spurs when he conceded four.
Injuries have certainly played a part in City's disappointments this campaign, with the likes of Vincent Kompany, Samir Nasri, David Silva and, perhaps most importantly, Kevin De Bruyne all having missed portions of the season due to fitness issues. Pellegrini's outfit's upturn in form has seen them remain unbeaten in four league games, and this coincides with the former Wolfsburg player's return from a knee problem. City more or less have a full squad at their disposal today, which will likely see a rotation in the line-up this afternoon with Los Blancos coming up this week in Europe.
The last clash between Manchester City and Stoke took place at the Britannia Stadium back at the start of December in the league. The Potters impressed many with their performance on that night and brushed City aside with a comfortable 2-1 victory, with Marko Arnautovic bagging a double to seal the three points. The visitors today can also take heart from the fact that the last time they travelled to the Etihad, they ran out 1-0 winners thanks to a solitary strike from Mame Diouf.
Stoke subs: Haugaard, Adam, Teixeira, Crouch, Bojan, El Ouriachi, Shenton.
Half-time at the Etihad. Even with Manchester City playing nowhere near close to their full potential, they go into the break with a 2-0 lead over Stoke after goals from Fernando and Sergio Aguero. The two vital moments of the match came after a poorly defended set-piece and a stupid decision from Ryan Shawcross to foul Kelechi Iheanacho inside the area. Pellegrini's men are in cruise control. Second period to come!
Full-time at the Etihad. Manchester City move into third position in the Barclays Premier League table after a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Stoke in this lunchtime kick-off. Kelechi Iheanacho was the star of the show with two well-taken goals, while Fernando and Sergio Aguero also got on the scoresheet to seal the vital three points, and also boost confidence before Real Madrid come calling during the week. An afternoon to forget for Mark Hughes and Stoke! Thanks for joining us, see you next time!
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