MCI vs SOU
Match Centre

i was disappointed with the opening period. clearly that's where the game was lost. we were never able to get a foothold in the game and didn't have an opportunity to clear our heads.

mark hughes

southampton manager

Hughes reflects on difficult day

Watch the post-match reaction of Southampton manager Mark Hughes after a really tough afternoon for his team at the Etihad.

FULL TIME: Manchester City 6-1 Southampton

A really tough day for Saints at the Etihad Stadium, where City were ruthless in front of goal. It started badly for the visitors, who trailed 3-0 after 18 minutes to Wesley Hoedt's own goal and further strikes from Sergio Aguero and David Silva. Danny Ings pulled one back from the penalty spot, but Raheem Sterling found the net either side of half time, before Leroy Sané completed the scoring.

Long goes close

Great work by Obafemi to stretch City down the right. His low cross picks out Long, whose shot is just the wrong side of the near post with Ederson beaten.

Southampton substitution: Stuart Armstrong replaces Danny Ings

Third and final change for Saints, as Armstrong is introduced for the closing stages.

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Southampton substitution: Mohamed Elyounoussi replaces Nathan Redmond

It's a double change for Saints. Obafemi is also on, making his first appearance of the season, in place of Ward-Prowse.

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Ings heads over

Saints have carved out a few chances in this second half. This time Ings gets his head to a Ward-Prowse free-kick, but can't keep his header down.

Long goes close

First action for Kompany is to get a crucial touch on Long's low shot, which is sneaking inside the far post until the substitute intervenes.

Cédric blocks Silva's shot

Bernardo Silva embarks on a mazy run, but his shot at the end of it is blocked by Portuguese compatriot Cédric.

Lemina fires wide

Saints launch a counter-attack and Lemina steps on to a loose ball with a strike from distance that sails wide of the target.

Ederson denies Ings

So close! Ings meets a Ward-Prowse corner and his header takes a deflection that looks certain to beat Ederson, but again the Brazilian reacts quickly to get down and push the ball away.

Better from Saints

This has been a decent spell for the visitors, who have forced a couple of corners at the start of this second half.

Ederson forced into double save

So close to 4-2... Ward-Prowse drills a low shot that's spilled by Ederson, but the keeper is so quick to make amends, pouncing on the rebound from Ings, who looked set to score his second of the day.

We're back under way...

The second half is up and running at the Etihad.

HALF TIME: Manchester City 4-1 Southampton

It's been a first half to forget for Saints. City flew out of the blocks, scoring three times inside the first 18 minutes through Wesley Hoedt's own goal, Sergio Aguero and David Silva. Danny Ings reduced the deficit from the penalty spot after he was sent tumbling by Ederson, but Raheem Sterling added a fourth just before the interval.

Lemina too strong for Sterling 

Sterling has been a major threat down the City right, but this time Lemina chases back and shrugs him off the ball in the box. The home fans optimistically claim a penalty, but are rightly ignored.

GOALSCORER 9 Danny Ings

Ings scores from the spot

Having won the penalty himself, Ings steps up and casually sends Ederson the wrong way.

Penalty to Saints!

Ings gets in behind, Ederson rushes out and brings him down for a penalty!

Ings goes close

Better from Saints, who have had their first spell of sustained possession. Cédric crosses from the right towards Ings, but the striker can't get a telling touch at the near post.

Lemina fires wide

Saints keep the ball alive from a Ward-Prowse free-kick, before Lemina lashes the loose ball a couple of yards wide.

Yellow Card for James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)

It's an early booking for Ward-Prowse for kicking the ball away after Lemina was penalised for a foul on David Silva.

We're up and running!

Saints have got us under way and we're into the action. Come on, lads! 👊

The teams observe a minute's silence

Both sets of players have lined up on the edge of the centre circle to observe a minute's silence in tribute to Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, and those who tragically lost their lives at the King Power Stadium. Kick-off is imminent.

Getting warm 🔥

The players have been out warming up at the Etihad, where kick-off is just 1️⃣5️⃣ minutes away! ⏳

Hughes's pre-match thoughts 💭

Hear from Saints boss Mark Hughes ahead of kick-off, as he explains the thought process behind his team selection.

we've had a good week's training and a couple of positive results in the past few weeks, so we come here with plenty of confidence. we'll give it a good go.

jack stephens

southampton defender

📸 Look who's here!

Saints have arrived at the Etihad, and our club photographer was in the right place to capture the moment.

Obafemi on the bench 👊

Mark Hughes makes 3️⃣ changes to his starting line-up following last weekend's home game with Newcastle, as Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, James Ward-Prowse and Shane Long return in place of Oriol Romeu, Mohamed Elyounoussi and Charlie Austin. Austin is joined on the bench by 18-year-old striker Michael Obafemi - could it be a day to remember for the youngster?

The teams are in!

Starting XI: McCarthy, Cédric, Stephens, Hoedt, Bertrand, Ward-Prowse, Højbjerg, Lemina, Redmond, Ings, Long.

🎥 Watch Saints train ahead of City test

Check out the best of the action from Staplewood, where Saints spent the week preparing for today's game.

at the end of the day, strikers, wide guys, attacking midfield players, they have to chip in with goals, and if we have to place demands on them that's what we'll do. i think we're at a point where we have to put pressure on them.

mark hughes

southampton manager

Will Redmond trouble City again?

Remember this one, Saints fans? Nathan Redmond opened the scoring at the Etihad back in October 2016 en route to a 1-1 draw in Pep Guardiola's first season in charge of City.

1️⃣ hour until team news! ⏳

We're counting down to kick-off at the Etihad Stadium, where both line-ups are due to be announced at 2pm GMT. Who would you like to see in the Saints team today?

What should we expect from Man City?

We got the inside track on today's hosts from Manchester Evening News correspondent Stuart Brennan. Find out what he had to say here.

Need to know more?

Check out our Match Pack for a detailed preview, with everything you need to know ahead of today's game. Click here for more!

the structure of the week changed with the tragic events at leicester, but that allowed us a little bit more time to work on things that we think will be to our advantage against the opposition. you just have to make the best of it.

mark hughes

southampton manager

Hear from the boss...

We caught up with Mark Hughes at Staplewood on Friday to find out how the manager will approach today's game. Watch the full interview here 👆

It's matchday in the Premier League! 😇

Southampton return to action with perhaps the toughest test on the Premier League calendar: a trip to champions Manchester City. Saints pushed Pep Guardiola's side to the limit in both meetings last season - can they go one better this time? Stay with us for all the build-up, team news, match updates and live commentary from the Etihad Stadium!