Manchester City ease past Southampton to keep title hopes alive

Relive the action action from St Mary’s

Manchester City: A look back at 2018

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? (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.

[30 December 2018 15:42 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Southampton 1-3 Manchester City

68 minutes

City's fans are making all the noise now. Their side are content to keep the ball, to tire out their opposition, who are growing increasingly bereft of hope.

[30 December 2018 15:43 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Southampton 1-3 Manchester City

68 minutes

Austin is off, replaced by Shane Long. He's yet to score in the Premier League this season. Now would be a good time to get his first. 

[30 December 2018 15:46 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Southampton 1-3 Manchester City

72 minutes

Kompany goes into a challenge about ten minutes too late and picks up a yellow. The game is petering out now, though.

[30 December 2018 15:47 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Southampton 1-3 Manchester City

73 minutes

Bednarek is in the book, too, after pulling back Aguero. And with that, City's top scorer makes way for Gabriel Jesus.

[30 December 2018 15:49 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Burnley 2-0 West Ham

75 minutes

Over at Turf Moor, Burnley look more like their old selves. They're on course for a big three points against a lacklustre West Ham side.

[30 December 2018 15:53 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Southampton 1-3 Manchester City

78 minutes

Danilo is next in the book for City. There's been some rash, and quite unnecessary, challenges in the second half.

[30 December 2018 15:55 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Southampton 1-3 Manchester City

80 minutes

Mahrez should make it four having been played in brilliantly by Jesus. McCarthy is in the way again, though, and Southampton keep the deficit at just two goals.

[30 December 2018 15:56 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Southampton 1-3 Manchester City

81 minutes

Højbjerg, whose equaliser seems an age ago now, fires another shot on goal. There's plenty of power, but it's straight at Ederson.

[30 December 2018 15:58 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Southampton 1-3 Manchester City

84 minutes

Leroy Sane is on for City, in place of Mahrez.

[30 December 2018 16:00 · Callum Rice-Coates]

Southampton 1-3 Manchester City

85 minutes

Højbjerg, for no apparent reason, jumps into a challenge on Fernandinho. Both feet are off the ground and he can't really have any complaints. Southampton down to ten for the remaining few minutes.