Top-four hopefuls Manchester City travelled to Europa League-chasing Southampton in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
An understrength City XI trailed 2-0 after 28 minutes courtesy of goals from Shane Long and Sadio Mane, but Kelechi Iheanacho hit back for the visitors late in the first period to leave matters delicately poised ahead of the second half.
Mane made it 3-1 Southampton in the 57th minute, however, before the Senegal international completed his hat-trick in the 68th minute to cap a rotten afternoon for the visitors.
Iheanacho did score his second for Man City 12 minutes from time, but the damage had already been done as Southampton moved above Liverpool into seventh position.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live Premier League coverage continues from St Mary's Stadium as Southampton welcome Manchester City. The Saints will be looking to keep their European challenge alive this afternoon, but Man City are in need of the points as they battle to finish in the top four. It should be an entertaining match on the south coast! The third of three Premier League games today!
UPDATE! It is still 1-1 at Old Trafford between Manchester United and Leicester City. As it stands, Leicester will have to wait to be crowned Premier League champions, but still more than 20 minutes left in Manchester this afternoon. Anthony Martial sent Man United ahead, before Wes Morgan levelled.
To suggest that the omens are not great for Southampton this afternoon would be an understatement. In fact, the Saints have only beaten Man City once in their last 10 meetings in all competitions and Man City have been victorious in each of the last four. Earlier this season, Man City recorded a 3-1 victory over Southampton at the Etihad and also won 3-0 at St Mary's last term.
Right, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from St Mary's. How many changes has Manuel Pellegrini made from his Champions League semi-final selection? Let's have a look...
TEAMS:
SAINTS: Forster; Martina, Fonte, Van Dijk, Bertrand; Davis, Wanyama, Clasie; Mane, Long, Tadic
CITY: Hart; Zabaleta, Otamendi, Mangala, Kolarov; Nasri, Fernandinho, Delph, Sterling; Bony, Iheanacho
Southampton boss Ronald Koeman has made three changes to the team that beat Aston Villa last weekend, with Cuco Martina, Jordy Clasie and Sadio Mane all returning to the XI. Mane has struck four goals in his last five Premier League games, while Shane Long, who leads the attack, has four goals and four assists in his last eight appearances for the Saints. Charlie Austin is back on the bench!
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Man City boss Pellegrini, meanwhile, has made EIGHT changes to the team that faced Real Madrid in the Champions League during the week. Sergio Aguero, Fernando and Jesus Navas are among those that drop out, while it is Wilfried Bony and Kelechi Iheanacho as the front two. Samir Nasri and Raheem Sterling also return, while Joe Hart will make his 300th Premier League appearance.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just under 40 minutes from kickoff on this breezy afternoon in Southampton. I shall talk about Man City a little bit later, but let's start with the home side, who are currently locked in a battle for the final Europa League place with three games of the season left. As it stands, the Saints sit eighth in the Premier League table on 54 points.
RESULT! It has finished 1-1 at Old Trafford between Man United and Leicester. It is a brilliant result for Man City, while Leicester will have to be wait if they are to be confirmed as champions. Has that result put an end to Man United's top-four hopes? They are now four points off the Champions League spots.
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There is now a six-point gap between eighth-place Southampton and ninth-place Stoke City, while Ronald Koeman's side are just one point behind seventh-place Liverpool, who lost at Swansea City earlier this afternoon, on the same number of matches. The Saints have a tough trip to Tottenham Hotspur next weekend, but will fancy their chances of overtaking Liverpool in the table.
Southampton, who will end their season at home to Crystal Palace, have actually only lost one of their last seven in the league and that came away at Leicester earlier this month. Since then, they have beaten Newcastle United, drawn at Everton and recorded a 4-2 victory at basement side Aston Villa last time out. Victory here takes them seventh and just two points off sixth-place West Ham United.
The Saints have actually won six of their last eight games on home soil and have only conceded 19 times in their 17 Premier League matches at St Mary's this season, which is an impressive defensive record. Indeed, Fifteen wins, nine draws and 11 defeats have brought them 54 Premier League points.
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As for Man City, Pellegrini's side will enter the match off the back of a 0-0 draw against Spanish giants Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday night. The second leg of that encounter takes place in Madrid next Wednesday, but Man City cannot afford to take their eye off the ball in the league as they attempt to secure a top-four position.
As it stands, Pellegrini's side sit fourth in the table on 64 points. They are now three points off third-place Arsenal, who have played one game more, but would return to the top three with a victory here. Man United are fifth on 60 points having just drawn 1-1 with Leicester City, while West Ham are sixth on 69 points. Man City should get over the line, but they need to finish off the job.
Man City have won four of their last five league matches, scoring 14 times in the process and conceding just twice. They have also kept five clean sheets in their last eight matches, which are surprising statistics when considering that they are still uncertain of a spot in the top four. In all honesty, this team and this squad should have been good enough to win the title this season.
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Since losing 1-0 at home to Man United in the middle of March, Man City have beaten Bournemouth, West Bromwich Albion, Chelsea and Stoke, in addition to drawing 1-1 at Newcastle United. They have a tough finish to the season, however, as they prepare to host Arsenal and travel to Swansea City in their final two league games. Kickoff is just over 10 minutes away at St Mary's!
Despite Man City's inconsistency during parts of this season, they are the leading scorers in the league this term having netted 66 times in their 35 matches. Sergio Aguero has 23 of those and the Argentine is chasing down Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane, who has 24 this season. Incidentally, Aguero has scored in each of his last five Premier League appearances, but has never scored in six in a row in the competition. If he is to achieve that this afternoon, it will have to be off the bench.
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PREDICTION! I fancy a score draw. Southampton are in good form and as seen, Man City are without a number of their key players here. If I had to pick, I would actually lean towards the home side, but I think that Man City have enough about them to secure a 1-1 draw this afternoon.
Just a reminder of the two teams this afternoon...
SAINTS: Forster; Martina, Fonte, Van Dijk, Bertrand; Davis, Wanyama, Clasie; Mane, Long, Tadic
CITY: Hart; Zabaleta, Otamendi, Mangala, Kolarov; Nasri, Fernandinho, Delph, Sterling; Bony, Iheanacho
KICKOFF! Here we go then - the pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Can Southampton keep their top-six hopes alive or will Man City get the points they need to move into third? Stay tuned! It is the home side that get things underway here...
... it must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this afternoon. It has been a bright start from Southampton as well - Bertrand already giving Zabaleta the slip in a wide position before delivering dangerously into the box. Mangala, however, is up ahead of Mane.
SAVE! Hart drops down to collect a strike from Mane as Southampton continue to put the pressure on in the early moments. Man City have just not been allowed to settle in this match.
Better from Man City in the last 60 seconds or so as they start to work the ball into the final third. Zabaleta pops up down the right, but his cross is headed clear by the imposing figure of Van Dijk.
Long is prepared to run in behind the two Man City centre-backs, but the Southampton attacker has not yet been found by the likes of Tadic and Mane, who are causing problems when they drift inside. It has been a very open and entertaining seven minutes to this clash on the South coast.
Wanyama picks Fernandinho's pocket in the middle of the park and attempts to feed Long, but once again the pass is just too strong and Man City can break down the other end. The away side's front two of Bony and Iheanacho have not had too much change out of Southampton's defence here.
Half-chance for Mane as the Southampton attacker drives to the edge of the Man City before unleashing a strike, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Still goalless in this one.
Man City are just pinning Southampton to the edge of their own box at the moment.
Just a reminder that three points for Southampton would take them above Liverpool into seventh position, while Man City would move above Arsenal to third with a win this afternoon. We are still waiting for the first serious chance of the match, but Long is such a threat for the home side here. The Irishman picks Zabaleta's pocket inside the Man City box, but then takes too long to pick a pass!
Another half-chance for the home side as Tadic delivers a super pass into Long, but Mangala is on hand to make a fine challenge and clear for a corner. Sensational noise inside the stadium!
CLOSE! Long gets in behind once again and takes the strike early, but his effort smashes into the side-netting! Good grief Long has been bright in the opening 19 minutes of this match.
SAVE! Super goalkeeping from Forster as the England international gets down to keep out a strike from Sterling, who had been found by Iheanacho inside the box. Should have done more!
BOOKING! Fernandinho (Man City) is booked for a late challenge on Mane.
Very open game at St Mary's as both teams continue to commit players in the final third.
GOAL! Southampton 1-0 Man City (Long)
Breakthrough! The home side make the breakthrough in the 25th minute as Tadic does brilliantly to poke a cross back to Long, who beats Otamendi to the ball and manages to bundle his effort past Hart from close range. That is the forward's 13th goal of the season and he deserves it!
GOAL! Southampton 2-0 Man City (Mane)
OH MY WORD! Some goal from Southampton. Again it is Tadic who finds space down the right and the attacker slides a wonderful pass into Mane, who fires his effort past the oncoming Hart!
BOOKING! Clasie (Southampton) is booked for a late challenge on Nasri.
Davis wants some of the action and decides to have a go from outside the Man City box, but the midfielder gets it horribly wrong and the away side have a goal kick. It is difficult to comprehend just how sloppy Man City have been in possession of the ball. They are all over the place here!
Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining and Southampton are searching for more goals here as they continue to commit four, five players forward with each attack. Full-throttle football!
Weak effort from Delph as the Man City midfielder hits a daisy-cutter towards Forster.
CLOSE! Clasie has a strike deflected just wide of Hart's post as Southampton once again cause problems in the final third. This Man City back-line are just all over the shop at the moment!
As it stands, Southampton are above Liverpool in seventh, while Man City are still fourth, but they would have work to do in their final two matches in order to secure a spot in the top four. This is not exactly what Pellegrini would have had in mind ahead of their trip to Real Madrid on Wednesday night.
Man City have managed to enjoy a spell of possession in the last couple of minutes, but they are really struggling to threaten Southampton's back-line. Bony has been absolutely non-existent here.
Mane, Long and Tadic are absolutely running the show here as the trio continue to exchange passes in the final third of the field. As poor as Man City have been, Southampton have been very impressive and as expected, Koeman looks a very content man on the touchline. Still 2-0 Saints here.
GOAL! Southampton 2-1 Man City (Iheanacho)
From nowhere, Man City are back in the game as Iheanacho heads home from close range after a clearance from Martina had landed in the vicinity of the Nigerian. What a big goal that is!
We are into the second of two added minutes at the end of this first period.
HALF-TIME: Southampton 2-1 Man City
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Southampton leading Man City 2-1. The hosts were two goals ahead after 28 minutes courtesy of strikes from Long and Mane, but the visitors have hope ahead of the second half after Iheanacho headed home in the 44th minute.
STATS! Man City have shaded the possession with 54%, while they have had three attempts, all of which were on target. Southampton, meanwhile, hit the target with three of their nine attempts in the first 45 minutes. One booking apiece - Fernandinho for Man City and Clasie for Southampton.
BENCH WATCH! Southampton boss Koeman has a number of attacking options on his bench this afternoon, with the likes of Austin, Rodriguez and Ward-Prowse all available for the home team. Man City, meanwhile, have Aguero, Navas, Fernando and Sagna among their subs for this match.
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Man City turn this match around? We shall see! It is the visitors that resume the action at St Mary's...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period gathers pace here.
Man City need so, so much more from Bony, who has struggled to make his mark in this match and indeed all season. Aguero has been sent to warm-up, but Pellegrini will not want to use the Argentine this afternoon unless it is absolutely necessary. Quite a quiet start to the second period.
The only real positive for Man City in this match has been the performance of Iheanacho, who pulled his team back into the contest late in the first period. The teenager has just ridden a couple of challenges and attempted to beat Forster, but the Saints goalkeeper makes the save.
Much better from the visitors in the last few minutes as they continue to move the ball quickly in the final third. Fonte steps across Bony, however, and the home side manage to clear down the field.
BOOKING! Tadic (Southampton) is booked for a pull on Zabaleta.
Little over 35 minutes of football remaining and Southampton just need to be a touch careful as Man City continue to grow in confidence. The home side should have been out of sight in the first period, but that header from Iheanacho in the 44th minute has completely changed the complexion.
GOAL! Southampton 3-1 Man City (Mane)
Southampton have their third! Van Dijk gets up to meet a corner and his header smashes off the crossbar, but Man City just cannot deal with it and Mane is on hand to convert from close range.
SOUTHAMPTON SUB! Romeu replaces Clasie for the home side.
MAN CITY SUB! Demichelis replaces Fernandinho for Man City here.
Man United were strongly linked with a move for Mane last summer and indeed in the January transfer window and I would be surprised if the Senegal international was not the subject of more interest at the end of the season. Alongside Long, he has absolutely run Man City ragged here.
MAN CITY SUB! Jesus Navas replaces Delph in Man City's second change.
SAVE! Wonderful effort from Van Dijk, who produces an over-head kick inside the Man City box, but Hart tips the centre-back's effort over the crossbar! Some piece of skill there!
GOAL! Southampton 4-1 Man City (Mane)
Southampton have their fourth and Mane has his hat-trick as the attacker collects a super pass from Tadic before feeding the ball into the bottom corner - terrific once again from Mane!
Southampton have been brilliant this afternoon, but Man City have been so poor, especially at the back. Real Madrid will be pretty pleased watching this game ahead of next week's European tie.
SOUTHAMPTON SUB! James Ward-Prowse replaces Davis for Southampton.
It seems incredible that Man United are still in the race for a top-four position at this stage of the season, but Man City have opened the door with defeat in this match. Southampton, on the other hand, are heading in the right direction as they chase down sixth-place West Ham United.
Navas fires a weak effort over the crossbar, which brings huge cheers from the home fans.
GOAL! Southampton 4-2 Man City (Iheanacho)
What a super goal that is! Man City have their second and it is once again Iheanacho, who curls a super effort into the far corner to hand the visitors some comfort on what has been a poor afternoon.
Now then, if Man City can score a third, we would be set-up for an interesting final 10 minutes! Sterling has the chance to break through, but Fonte is across to make an excellent challenge.
Smart goalkeeping from Hart as the England international drops to collect a fierce cross from Bertrand. End-to-end football with 84 minutes of this brilliant Premier League game on the clock.
Poor from Nasri as the Man City attacker pushes Martina in the back following a challenge between Sterling and the Southampton right-back. The hosts are preparing to make another change here.
SOUTHAMPTON SUB! Jay Rodriguez replaces Tadic for the home side.
Four additional minutes to be played at St Mary's!
Long pace continues to cause Man City's back four all sorts of problems and he is also proving a valuable asset as the home side clear their lines in the final moments. Still 4-2 Southampton here.
FULL-TIME: Southampton 4-2 Man City
So there we have it. Sadio Mane hits a hat-trick as Southampton record a 4-2 win over Man City in the Premier League. The result has moved the Saints into seventh position, while Man City remain fourth. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action once again. Until next time!
