Barclays Premier League

FT: SOUTHAMPTON 3 MAN CITY 1

Manchester City all but surrender their title after dropping yet more points in a humiliating defeat at Premier League new boys Southampton. Roberto Mancini will be livid at that first-half display in particular which saw the champions give the home side a two-goal head start. With only five minutes gone Gareth Barry lost the ball in his own half and Saints broke with purpose, with Jason Puncheon finally sliding the ball into the corner after Jay Rodriguez had been denied by an excellent tackle from Yaya Toure. An inexplicable gaffe by Joe Hart then presented a second on a plate to Steven Davis midway through the half. Edin Dzeko gave City side some hope by pulling one back shortly before the break, but three minutes after the restart Gareth Barry restored the two-goal cushion for the home side by slotting past his own goalkeeper. All the headlines tomorrow will be about City's ineptitude, but take nothing away from Saints, who were simply magnificent in notching their first win under Mauricio Pochettino. So Manchester United can go 12 points clear at the top with victory at home to Everton on Sunday. Next Sunday's FA Cup tie with Leeds takes on even more importance for City. It is their last chance to win a trophy and defeat would surely spell the end of Roberto Mancini's managerial reign at Eastlands.

STILL LOOKING FOR MORE

You have to admire how many players Southampton are still pushing forward every time they attack. They have not sat back at any stage, which has been one of the ingredients of their impending success.

STOPPAGE TIME

There will be five minutes of added time. City enjoy some possession high up the field and Zabaleta wins his side a corner, which comes to nothing.

NO RESPONSE FROM CITY

Southampton are playing keep-ball here, toying with the champions. It's difficult to believe what has been unfolding here at St Mary's. Yes, we said that four minutes ago, but it's as true now as it was then.

MANCINI MR ANGRY

Roberto Mancini is absolutely livid on the sidelines. He cannot believe the lack of effort from his own side tonight. The Italian is bound to be second-guessed after this match, particularly his decision to leave out Milner and start Garcia at the heart of his defence.

LOOKING COMFORTABLE

Southampton are playing keep-ball here, toying with the champions. It's difficult to believe what has been unfolding here at St Mary's.

STILL TIME FOR A FIGHTBACK

A second for City here would give Southampton fits and totally change the complexion of this game. But the champions simply do not have the look of a side that wants to fight their way back.

SOUTHAMPTON SUBSTITUTION

Youngster Jamie Ward-Prowse replaces the scorer of the second Southampton goal, Steven Davis.

STILL AWAITING HIS CENTURY

There is only one more thing that would cap a perfect night for the home side. A 100th Southampton goal for captain Rickie Lambert.

MAN CITY SUBSTITUTION

David Silva makes way for Maicon. The Spaniard has been hugely disappointing this evening.

SOUTHAMPTON SUBSTITUTION

Danny Fox has gone off injured and his place goes to former Leeds and Charlton defender Frazer Richardson.

MAN CITY BOOKING

Yaya Toure clips Schneiderlin and is shown a yellow card by Mr Atkinson, who points out this is the latest in a succession of fouls by the Ivory Coast midfielder.

SELFISH FROM DZEKO

City attack with rare purpose, but Dzeko selfishly chooses to keep the ball himself rather than find a better-placed team-mate and the chance evaporates.

LESSONS TO BE LEARNT

What has this match told us so far? City don't deserve to retain their title and Southampton deserve another shot at the top flight next season.

CITY SUBSTITUTION

Lambert crosses from the right and Schneiderlin's first-time effort flies about 15 yards wide of goal. Aleksandar Kolarov replaces Lescott for the visitors.

THEY ARE MY PLAYERS

You have to feel a little sorry for Nigel Adkins here. It is his side who are totally outplaying the champions this evening.

SOUTHAMPTON SUBSTITUTION

The excellent Jason Puncheon makes way for Adam Lallana for the home side.

CITY SUBSTITUTION

Samir Nasri, who has been ineffective, makes way for James Milner, who sees a shot deflected wide moments later.

AGUERO DENIED

City mount a threat. A ball over the top drops nicely to Aguero, who sees his angled drive kept out by Boruc.

LOOKING VULNERABLE

City look vulnerable every time the ball comes into their area. Mancini said before the game that midfielder Garcia was comfortable at centre-back. I'm not so sure.

CITY ON THE RACK

A hanging ball from the left by Fox is just too far for Lambert. Make no mistake here, Southampton not only deserve their lead but look likely to add to it.

CALL YOURSELF CHAMPIONS?

There is only one word to describe this display by City this evening. Inept. Or perhaps two words. Totally inept.

MAN CITY BOOKING

Clichy is shown the yellow card for hauling back Puncheon near the corner flag.

GOAL: SOUTHAMPTON 3 MAN CITY 1

Gareth Barry nets an incredible own goal, another disaster for the visitors, slotting a right-footed shot past his own goalkeeper from Rickie Lambert's left-wing cross.

PUNCHEON SHOOTS OVER

Lambert chases after a first-time pass from the back. He out-paces Garcia, who looks like he is in reverse and pulls it back for Puncheon, who fires into the stands.

MILNER GETTING READY

It looks like James Milner will be on early in this second half. How he was left out in the first place after that whole-hearted display against Liverpool last week is beyond your match commentator for one.

HERE WE GO AGAIN

City get the second half under way. Surprisingly, Roberto Mancini has made no changes at the interval.

HT: SOUTHAMPTON 2 MAN CITY 1

Well, well, who could have predicted that for a half-time scoreline? City have been masters of their own downfall, conceding two goals that both stemmed from their own blunders. On five minutes Gareth Barry was robbed of the ball and after Yaya Toure had made an excellent tackle to deny Jay Rodriguez the livewire Jason Puncheon was there to slot home. If the first goal was a giveaway the second on 22 minutes was scarcely believable. England goalkeeper Joe Hart made a right mess of handling a routine shot from Rickie Lambert and Steven Davis reacted the quickest to poke the ball home from close range. There have been other chances too for the home side. City simply have not got going, but they did get one back six minutes from the interval when a breakaway from a Southampton corner ended up with Edin Dzeko turning the ball home.

STRONG PENALTY CLAIMS

Saints want a penalty for a shove by Yaya Toure on Rodriguez. He's a lucky boy, the Ivorian, that was a spot-kick in my opinion.

END-TO-END ACTION

Ageuro wins a cheap free-kick at the expense of Hooiveld, who can count himself unlucky. The home side survive, though, and launch a counter-attack which sees Schneiderlin slide an effort into the side-netting. Silva then has a close-range shot saved by Boruc. He should have done better there.

PUNCHEON FIRES WIDE

Puncheon tries his luck from outside the box, but the shot veers wide of the right-hand upright.

GOAL: SOUTHAMPTON 2 MAN CITY 1

A long-range strike by Clyne loops over the bar after getting a deflection off Lescott. City break from the corner and Zabaleta squares for Dzeko, who somehow manages to turn the ball home. City are back in this.

ZABALETA NOT FAR AWAY

A curling left-footer by Zabaleta from the edge of the box is a yard wide of the far post.

CLOSE TO A THIRD

Southampton come close to a third. A poor clearing header by Zabaleta puts his side in trouble and Hooiveld tees up Rodrgieuz, who shoots across the face of goal.

WASTED FREE-KICK

A foul by Hooiveld earns City a shooting opportunity from a free-kick on the left corner of the penalty area. The effort from Aguero goes straight into the wall.

SOUTHAMPTON BOOKING

Rickie Lambert is cautioned for a cynical challenge, his first yellow card of the season.

GRUESOME WATCHING

Will Sir Alex be at home watching this inept display from the noisy neighbours and having a little chuckle to himself, I wonder?

GOAL DETAILS

It's an incredible mistake by Hart. Lambert combined superbly with Puncheon, but he could not have expected the England goalkeeper to drop a routine shot through his legs. Davis reacted quickest to the loose ball and stabbed it home from all of three yards.

GOAL: SOUTHAMPTON 2 MAN CITY 0

Southampton take a two-goal lead thanks to a howler by Hart. Davis is taking credit for the goal.

HOOIVELD A ROCK AT THE BACK

Zabaleta whips over a dangerous cross from the right which is well dealt with by Hooiveld. The City right-back is eager to make up for getting caught out of possession for Southampton's opener.

A LEAD IS NEVER SECURE

Southampton have thrown away 24 points from leading positions this season, more than any other side in the top flight. Suffice to say this match is far from over.

DANGEROUS PASS FROM AGUERO

Aguero makes progress down the inside-right channel and lays a dangerous ball across which is just out of the reach of Dzeko, who was the furthest forward of City's attackers.

FOX INJURY CONCERN

Danny Fox has felt a twinge in his hamstring, apparently. That's a real worry for Saints, who already have talented youngster Luke Shaw sidelined.

DODGY AT THE BACK

A long punt upfield almost catches out City's square backline and they are relieved that Rodriguez just fails to bring the ball under control.

SAINTS CALLING THE TUNE

Southampton are playing without fear here. They win another corner, but City are happy to clear their lines and regroup.

BACK COME CITY

City try and hit back instantly, but Aguero's long-range drive is easy for Boruc, even if it draws squeals of anxiety from some of the home club's female fans.

GOAL DETAILS

The goal stemmed from a mistake by Barry. Puncheon found Rodriguez and he was clean through, only to be denied by a combination of Yaya Toure and Hart. But the ball broke kindly back to Puncheon, who slotted into an unguarded goal.

GOAL: SOUTHAMPTON 1 MAN CITY 0

Jason Puncheon gives Southampton a shock lead.

GOALKEEPER A WEAKNESS

Artur Boruc comes out of his area to head clear a through-ball and is somewhat relieved to see his clearance fall to a Southampton player. Goalkeeping has been a real problem for Saints this year. Neither Boruc nor Kelvin Davies inspires confidence.

NO TEVEZ TONIGHT

Carlos Tevez is not even on the City bench today. Manager Roberto Mancini says the Argentine has "a personal issue".

WATCHING FROM THE STANDS

It's a horrible night here at St Mary's with rain driving across the pitch. Vincent Kompany, who is not being risked tonight, is here watching in the stands.

HERE WE GO

Southampton kick off, attacking the goal to our left.

STARTING LINE-UPS

Southampton: Boruc, Clyne, Yoshida, Hooiveld, Fox, Cork, Schneiderlin, Puncheon, S. Davis, Rodriguez, Lambert. Man City: Hart, Zabaleta, Javi Garcia, Lescott, Clichy, Barry, Yaya Toure, Nasri, Aguero, Silva, Dzeko.

TEAM NEWS

Both sides make two changes to last weekend's line-ups. For Southampton, Luke Shaw is injured and his place goes to Daniel Fox. Gaston Ramirez is out too, with Steven Davis coming in. City bring in Yaya Toure and Samir Nasri, with Nastasic and Milner the men to make way. Midfielder Javi Garcia is going to play at centre-back.

PREVIEW

Manchester City travel to Southampton for Saturday's late game in the Premier League knowing that victory would cut the gap on Manchester United at the top to six points with the leaders not hosting Everton until Sunday. Roberto Mancini's men have only lost twice in 25 games, but in reality such has been the recent form shown by their arch rivals that draws in successive games with Queens Park Rangers and Liverpool leaves the feeling that City's title race is almost run. With hindsight, the first meeting between these two sides on the opening day of the season revealed much about how the campaign was going to pan out for both. City won it 3-2, but had to come from behind to do so. But they failed to hit the heights that day and showed defensive frailty, while newly-promoted Southampton gave the first indication that they were not in the top flight just to make up the numbers. Mauricio Pochettino is still looking for his first win as Southampton manager. His side have been drawing too many games in recent weeks and have started to find themselves drawn back towards the relegation zone. Having said that, recent performances have shown character and they can look upon this one as a fixture where any points garnered are a welcome bonus. The upcoming trio of games to follow featuring trips to Newcastle and Queens Park Rangers either side of the visit of Norwich are more likely to decide their fate come the end of the season. This evening's game kicks off at 1730GMT, so join us around 30 minutes beforehand when we should have the confirmed team news, which will be followed by a match commentary.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

If Rickie Lambert scores today it will be his 100th goal for Southampton in all competitions in just 173 starts and ten substitute appearances. The former Bristol Rovers striker has been deployed in more of a central role again in recent weeks and it has paid dividends, with five goals in his last eight outings, worth a more-than-handy six points to his side. Nevertheless, Saints are still only three points above the drop zone. “We are not blind, we realise we are in a relegation dog-fight right now,” Lambert told BBC Radio Solent. “It would be nice come Saturday evening to have got my 100th goal and three points. At the minute we are in a fight and we need to open up the gap even more.” In truth, results would suggest Manchester City have not really missed Yaya Toure while he has been representing his country in South Africa. But it will be nice to have the Ivorian available as another attacking option from midfield, especially when all three of Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez and David Silva have been well below their brilliant best in recent weeks.

HEAD TO HEAD

Southampton have the better head-to-head record in league meetings between the sides with 25 wins to 23 by City and 21 games being drawn. At St Mary's and The Dell, Saints have 15 wins to nine by City, with a further 10 meetings ending up all square. The earlier meeting between the sides finished in a 3-2 win for City. Carlos Tevez gave the home side the lead five minutes before the break and most neutrals then expected the floodgates would open. Southampton, though, dared to think otherwise and goals from Rickie Lambert (59 minutes) and Steve Davis (68) saw them in front before the home side awoke from their slumbers to snatch the points with strikes from Edin Dzeko (72) and Samir Nasri (80). This is the first meeting between the sides in Southampton since a goalless draw in the Premier League back in October 2004.

FORM GUIDE

Southampton sit in 16th place, just three points above the relegation zone having collected 24 points from 25 games. They have won just one of their last nine, but have drawn six of those games. Newly promoted and naïve at the back, they shipped 28 goals in their first ten games, but have only conceded 16 in the subsequent 15 matches. City have 53 points and are nine adrift of leaders Manchester United. They have lost only once away, to a last-minute goal at Sunderland. Along with Swansea, Roberto Mancini's men have the best defensive record away from home, conceding just ten goals.

EARLY TEAM NEWS

Southampton will give late fitness tests to Luke Shaw and fellow England under-21 defender Nathaniel Clyne. Gaston Ramirez and Guly do Prado are also doubtful, while Jose Fonte is definitely out. Adam Lallana could make his first start since suffering a knee injury on Dec. 8 and Vegard Forren is hoping to be handed a debut following a move from Norwegian side Molde in the January transfer window. City have Yaya and Kolo Toure available again after Ivory Coast's surprise exit at the quarter-final stage of the African Nations Cup. Captain Vincent Kompany is likely to return having been sidelined with a calf injury.

MAN IN THE MIDDLE

Taking charge of today's game is Martin Atkinson, who has been a member of the Premier League's elite group of referees since 2005 and who became a FIFA referee a year later. The West Yorkshire-based official showed nine red cards last season, by far the most of any Premier League referee. Atkinson has been much more restrained this time around with Newcastle's Cheick Tiote at the Stadium of Light in the Wear-Tyne derby his only sending off to date in 17 Premier League outings. Nevertheless, the 67 cautions administered equates to 3.9 per game, more than any other top-flight official. Atkinson's assistants today are Stuart Burt and Peter Kirkup, while Kevin Friend is the fourth official.