There will be two minutes added on at the end of this first half.
88'
Accepting their fate, City have reverted back to their original shape and remain content on keeping the ball near the halfway line to avoid leaving themselves exposed at the back.
87'
J. Rodríguez enters the game and replaces D. Tadić.
A final change for Southampton sees Dusan Tadic, who goes off to a standing ovation for the part he played today, replaced by Jay Rodriguez.
86'
Tempers starting to boil over! Frustration no doubt setting in here for City. Martina is penalised for a soft foul on Sterling, and Nasri comes in with a shove into the back of the defender. It's so needless from the Frenchman, but his reputation comes to the front again as players gather near the scene of the crime.
84'
Southampton have managed to take the sting out the match a bit, and they're starting to find some gulf-like openings on the break. You wouldn't bet against them scoring a fifth with City starting to throw the kitchen sink forward.
82'
STAT: Manchester City have not conceded five goals in a Premier League match since an 8-1 drubbing at Middlesbrough on the final day of the 2007/08 season.
80'
Southampton have switched off a bit, and they'll want to get back on the ball here to avoid setting up a nervy finish to this match which looked done and dusted jut a few minutes ago. It would take something special for City to turn this around, but you wouldn't put it past them just yet.
78'
K. Ịheanachọ has scored a goal for Manchester City! Assist by Jesús Navas.
Navas provides an assist off the bench.
HOW'S THAT FOR CONSOLATION?! Iheanacho takes a pass at the top of the area from Navas, looks up and places a brilliant finish over Forster and into the top corner! It's a lovely goal, his second of the night, though it likely won't count for much.
77'
The home supporters are singing to the hillside as they watch the final stages of the match unfold. The tempo has slowed as the result is all but settled now. City could do with a late push to at least give themselves a bit of confidence ahead of Wednesday's clash with Real Madrid.
Minute
Description
75'
What this result does do is open the door for West Ham, keeping their top-four hopes alive. The Hammers will remain just five points back of City for fourth place, while holding a game in hand. Pellegrini's side play home to Arsenal and at Swansea to close out the season, two far from straightforward contests.
73'
J. Ward-Prowse enters the game and replaces S. Davis.
James Ward-Prowse comes on to provide some fresh legs in midfield for Southampton, replacing Davis.
72'
STAT: Southampton have fired in the most open play crosses in the Premier League this season (654) and have scored the most headed goals (14).
70'
This is the first time City have conceded four goals in a Premier League match since November, in a 4-1 defeat to Liverpool at the Etihad, and Southampton are threatening for more. Saints are a well-oiled machine! If they can find their consistency, there's no reason why they shouldn't be contending for a top-four finish next season under Ronald Koeman.
68'
S. Mané has scored a goal for Southampton! Assist by D. Tadić.
It's a hat-trick of goals for Mane and a hat-trick of assists for Tadic!
MANE'S HAT-TRICK AND SOUTHAMPTON'S DAY AT ST. MARY'S! What a sensational tackle that was from Van Dijk as he goes in strong at the feet of Iheanacho to dispossess the forward and knock the ball to Tadic, who promptly plays Mane through on goal. The forward takes one look up and produces an exquisite finish to beat Hart at his near post!
66'
City have drastically changed their formation, as they play with three centre-halves now in Otamendi, Mangala and Demichelis, which has pushed the likes of Zabaleta and Kolarov forward. Despite that, it's the Serbian left-back who is caught as the last line of defence as he's forced to head away a Davis cross with no other blue shirt in sight.
64'
Jesús Navas enters the game and replaces F. Delph.
Delph has looked off the pace throughout and is finally replaced here by Jesus Navas, who will look to provide a bit of a spark.
62'
STAT: Virgil van Dijk has won 74% of his 206 aerial duels in the Premier League this season; the highest ratio of any player to have been involved in 100+ aerials.
60'
M. Demichelis enters the game and replaces Fernandinho.
City make their first change of the evening and it's a surprising one as Martin Demichelis replaces Fernandinho.
59'
Oriol Romeu enters the game and replaces J. Clasie.
Southampton make a swap of their own as Clasie is replaced by Oriol Romeu.
57'
S. Mané has scored a goal for Southampton! Assist by José Fonte.
THE GOALS KEEP FLYING IN FOR SAINTS! Davis' wonderful corner is met by Van Dijk, who sends a thumping header off the bar! Fonte can't make clean contact with the rebound, but Mane is on hand to follow up and knock it into the gaping goal!
Fonte is credited with the assist, though he knew little about it. It was Van Dijk's header that made all that possible.
56'
Excellent tackle from Van Dijk! The defender intervenes with a strong but fair challenge to break up what was developing into a threatening move from the Citizens. The Dutchman has been a fixture at the back for Southampton since his arrival from Celtic in September - turning out to be an excellent buy.
54'
D. Tadić gets yellow.
Tadic is late reacting to try and track the run of Zabaleta on the overlap, as he's forced to tug back on the shirt of the right-back, which prompts referee Andre Marriner to go to his pocket and pull out a yellow card.
52'
STAT: Southampton have now conceded in each of their last five Premier League matches at St. Mary’s, after a run of four successive clean sheets in the top-flight on home turf (W4).
50'
Despite Southampton's positive start, it's City who carve out the first chance through who other than Iheanacho. The forward twists and turns his way brilliantly to carve out a bit of space for a shot, though in the end he can only stab an effort straight at Forster.
48'
Southampton start the second half as they did the first, on the front foot and looking to get after this vulnerable City defence. Zabaleta and Kolarov's lack of pace have proven detrimental to the visitors at the back, as they struggle to deal with the width Saints have on display.
46'
Here we go again!
45' +2
HALF-TIME: SOUTHAMPTON 2-1 MANCHESTER CITY.
45'
There will be two minutes added on at the end of this first half.
44'
K. Ịheanachọ has scored a goal for Manchester City!
OUT OF NOTHING, CITY HAVE A PULSE! Nasri's ball into the area catches Martina by surprise. The defender knocks a clearance aimlessly into the air where Iheanacho is on hand to head beyond a wrong-footed Forster!
43'
Anywhere will do for the Citizens! They're just booting the ball out of play in defence as Southampton pour the pressure on. They're showing no ability whatsoever to string a few passes together and break. The lack of threat they're posing has allowed Saints to commit plenty of bodies forward as well.
41'
STAT: Sadio Mane has scored five goals in his last six Premier League games for Southampton, including today; this after a run of 19 league apps without scoring.
39'
City can hardly navigate passage out of their own end at the moment, never mind into attack. They started poorly and have been on a steady decline ever since. Manuel Pellegrini will certainly have some strong words for his side at the interval as he watches on in disgust.
37'
Southampton are all over City. This is about as one sided as it can get! The ensuing corner from Tadic is met by Fonte at the near post, but the defender's header just misses the target. A third before half-time would be enough to secure the win you'd feel.
36'
INCHES AWAY FROM A THIRD! Two former Eredivisie players link-up as Martina finds space on the right before spotting Clasie with his pull-back. The midfielder tries the cheekiest of chips, and it's not a bad idea in the end, but a slight deflection takes it just beyond the far post for a corner.
34'
This is a toothless Manchester City side we're seeing today. They haven't produced even the slightest response to falling behind, as they remain out of ideas when in possession. It's been very poor from their perspective and it won't do their confidence any good ahead of the Real Madrid clash, even if their team will look very different on Wednesday night.
32'
STAT: Southampton have scored at least a goal in nine successive Premier League matches at St. Mary’s for the first time since their return to the top flight in 2012.
30'
J. Clasie gets yellow.
Clasie doesn't hold back as he tugs Fernandinho from behind to stop the midfielder's run, and he picks up a yellow card as a result.
28'
S. Mané has scored a goal for Southampton! Assist by D. Tadić.
It's a second assist in three minutes for Tadic who really knows how to pick out a pass.
THERE'S NO STOPPING THEM! City are being put to the sword at St. Mary's as Southampton continue to carve them apart like a Sunday roast! Mane sprints half the length of the field to make himself available for Tadic, and the Serbian plays a perfectly weighted throughball in for the forward who produces the tidiest of finishes to beat Hart!
27'
Well it has to be said it's a deserved equaliser for Southampton, who have really taken the game to City in this first half. They've shown no signs of nerves or intimidation up against the Champions League semi-finalists, appearing so calm and confident when in possession.
25'
S. Long has scored a goal for Southampton! Assist by D. Tadić.
Delightful from Tadic who picks up the assist, and Martina deserves an equal amount of credit, although his name won't appear on the scoresheet.
SOUTHAMPTON LEAD AT ST. MARY'S! It's a super ball over the top from Martina to pick out the run of Tadic, who squares for Long with a terrific flick into the centre. The striker has the beating of Otamendi as he gets onto the end of it and pokes a clever finish through the legs of Hart for the 100th club goal of his career!
24'
Southampton are very much on top in this first half, despite Sterling holding the game's best chance up to this point. City look quite pedestrian, still searching for a bit of rhythm among this makeshift starting line-up.
22'
STAT: Joe Hart could is making his 300th Premier League appearance in this match, just the sixth English goalkeeper to reach this landmark in the competition.
20'
Fernandinho gets yellow.
Fernandinho commits himself to a cynical challenge to stop a break and he goes into the book as a result.
19'
End-to-end action! It's finally starting to come to life at St. Mary's! Long has a decent effort at one end, sending a strike into the side-netting. Back the other way come City, and Iheanacho's lovely skill helps him negotiate the beating of Martina before pulling it back for Sterling, whose first-time strike is denied by Forster from point-blank range!
17'
VITAL FROM MANGALA! Tadic is making himself a nuisance down the flank with some excellent footwork, wreaking havoc on Zabaleta who is severely lacking in pace. The Serbian whips in a terrifically inviting cross for Long in the centre, but Mangala shows good recovery speed to intervene and knock it behind.
15'
Wanyama starts Southampton forward with a good ball win in his own end. They can't pick out a decisive pass in attack, but Long manages to catch a careless Zabaleta in possession, before cutting in towards goal. He looks up and waits for support, but in the meantime Zabaleta is able to recover and knock the ball behind for a corner.
13'
City enjoy their first prolonged spell in attack, but they create precious little with it. They have to settle for a corner as Forster still hasn't been put to the test, and that doesn't change with Sterling's delivery as it bounces through the danger area and safely away from goal.
11'
Mane and Clasie combine to win the ball in the attacking half, with Delph giving possession away cheaply. The former picks it up and surges forward dangerously, but his decision making lets him down in the end as he tries to go at it alone and scuffs a shot harmlessly wide of the far post.
9'
It's all become a bit cagey as the ball is contained largely in the midfield third. City are having little success trying to play their way into attack on the ground, while Southampton are starting to resort to long-balls over the top in the hopes of picking out the run of Long, who is rather isolated up top.
7'
STAT: Southampton have won just one of their last nine Barclays Premier League games against Manchester City (W1, D2, L6).
5'
Manchester City have settled in after coming under some early heat in defence. They're lacking in cohesion a bit as they try and work their way forward, though it shouldn't come as much of a surprise given how many fresh faces are in their side today.
3'
Southampton start brilliantly as they show no hesitation in committing bodies forward in search of an early lead. They look very bright as they pass the ball around in the final third. Ryan Bertand makes quick work of Zabaleta on the flank, but his cross can't pick out a team-mate. Pressure stays on, but Hart is up to the task as Mane tries his luck from the top of the box.
1'
Southampton get the game underway at St. Mary's!
Hello and welcome to live coverage from St. Mary’s as Southampton pursue a top-five finish when they take on a Manchester City side looking to secure their place in the top four. Manuel Pellegrini’s side will undoubtedly have one eye on the second leg of their Champions League semi-final, which doesn’t bode well for them as they travel to take on a Saints side who are in the midst of a great run of form as they continue to battle for a spot in Europe.
Manchester City aren’t guaranteed a spot in the top four, however, so they can’t afford to be too complacent this afternoon. Southampton, meanwhile, are battling a couple of teams for the final European spot, and with only Premier League matches remaining on their schedule, there’s no doubts as to where their focus lies. A victory for the Citizens would all but assure them a spot in the top four, while anything but three points for Ronald Koeman’s side would leave their Europa League hopes hanging by a thread. It’s wonderfully poised this afternoon at St. Mary’s!
Ronald Koeman makes three changes to his team from their 4-2 victory away to Aston Villa last weekend. Cuco Martina comes in at right-back, while Jordy Clasie is restored in midfield, partnering Victor Wanyama, at the expense of Cedric Soares and Oriol Romeu respectively. In attack, Jay Rodriguez is dropped to the bench as Sadio Mane is selected to play alongside Dusan Tadic and Steven Davis, in support of striker Shane Long.
Manuel Pellegrini's team selection should remove all doubt as to where the club's focus lies, as he makes eight changes to his side who faced Real Madrid on Tuesday, with the second leg looming on Wednesday. David Silva misses out with a hamstring injury suffered in midweek, which will keep him out against Real Madrid in the coming week as well, but otherwise it's just a rest for the remainder of the City players who have been left out. Pablo Zabaleta, Eliaquim Mangala, Aleksandar Kolarov, Fabian Delph, Samir Nasri, Raheem Sterling, Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfried Bony are brought into the team, with Bacary Sagna, Vincent Kompany, Gael Clichy, Fernando, Jesus Navas, Kevin De Bruyne, Silva and Sergio Aguero giving way. Joe Hart, Nicolas Otamendi and Fernandinho are the only ones to keep their place in the team.
Goals from Shane Long and Sadio Mane provided Southampton a deserved 2-0 lead inside of 30 minutes as they came out of the gate with a bit between their teeth. They were in complete control, looking rather impenetrable at the back as well, before Kelechi Iheanacho cut the deficit in half just before the break, setting the stage for what promises to be an entertaining conclusion at St. Mary's.
That's all for our live coverage from St. Mary's, thanks for following along. Goodbye!
A Sadio Mane hat-trick keeps Saints' European hopes alive as they deal a blow to the Citizen's hopes of a top-three finish. Shane Long provided the other goal for Southampton, while Kelechi Iheanacho grabbed both for Manchester City, who are embarrassed ahead of their most important game of the season in Madrid.
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