Man City v Southampton August 2012

If we had expected a nice easy game to start our season off then Southampton put paid to those thoughts. Our troubles began early in the match when Aguero was injured and had to go off with what looked like a serious knee injury. Then Silva made a hash of a penalty but when Tevez gave us the lead it looked like we were back on course but in the second half after missing a couple of good chances defensive errors gave Southampton a lead. Joe Hart did not have a save to make all game - just had to pick the ball from the back of the net a couple of times. With just 23 minutes to go City were struggling. Silva who was having a shocker for him was replaced by Balotelli and immediately Dzeko scored to make it two all. City piled on the pressure and with just ten minutes remaining Nasri who had played well throughout cracked in the winner. Phew! On another day it could have been 5-0 if the penalty had not been missed and Aguero had stayed on but at least it's three points. Rodwell had a good start on his debut though his poor pass to Silva cost us a goal. The defence struggled a bit and we missed Barry. I much prefer Yaya Toure in an attacking role. I think there will be a lot of talking behind the scenes after this game. Strange that we should switch from three at the back to four after the pre-season set-up. A good game to watch for the neutral but tough for City fans. The last time we played Southampton was in January 2005. You can see the pics here

The visitors brought a fair number of noisy fans with them

Jack Rodwell made a surprise debut

City made several changes from the Chelsea game and Rodwell made his debut

It was a debut for our new CEO Ferran Soriano who was next to our Chairman. Also there was the Liverpool manager - right centre

Under the new rules Silva had to change the color of the tape Did nobody tell him!

After just 7 minutes Aguero went down injured following a tackle by Clyne

It looked quite painful and soon the players were calling for a stretcher

After a minute or so City were organizing a substitute -then Zabaleta appeared to tell the bench Aguero was ok

It looked as though Aguero had recovered but common sense prevailed and he went off to be replaced by Dzeko

Southampton shout for a penalty when Lescott tackled

A good run down the right wing by Zabaleta ends with......

...... a great turn by Tevez led to a trip by Hoolvelt and referee Howard Webb awarded a penalty

For reasons unknown Silva took the kick which was very poor and was easily pushed away by Davis

After 31 minutes Tevez managed to get in a toe poke despite being outnumbered. Davis was able to save

Hart was having little to do even at the odd corner

On 39 minutes a good pass from Nasri finds Tevez who beats Davis at his near post from a narrow angle to give City a deserved lead

The celebrating Carlos Tevez displays a reference to an apartment block in Buenos Aires

This Southampton supporter obviously is not going to send a Xmas Card to that address!

Dzeko fails to beat Davis from a good position

A lot of apprehension among City supporters

One of my near neighbors in the Stand celebrated a birthday today. I

Tony Book and Tommy Booth brought on the Community Shield at half time

This season the Colin Bell stand will be renamed for one match only.
For this game it was the Dave Crompton Stand

Early in the second half Nasri outwitted the visitors defence....

..... and dashed down the line and crossed but the ball rebounded off Dzeko into the hands of Davis and another opportunity was lost

Clichy shoots over from a promising position

City piled on the pressure but could not find the net

a poor clarence by Lescott let in late sub Lambert......

Silva missed a sitter when a cross by Tevez was pushed out by Davis to Nasri who slipped the ball to Silva.
Alas his shot hit the bar and went over!

.....who belted the ball past Hart to equalize for the visitors and send their supporters crazy with joy

On 66 minutes City got a free kick which Tevez took and the ball was deflected for a corner The ball was partially cleared.....

..... but a poor pass by Rodwell let Southampton break away and the error ended with new sub Steven Davis shooting past Hart to give the visitors the lead

The Southampton players and supporters were ecstatic

From yet another City corner the ball was cleared to Kompany who sent the ball into the danger area where it eventually ran to Dzeko who crashed the ball in from close range to equalize - match on!

City wasted no time in getting back to the middle for the restart - 9 mins to go and game on

Another run by Nasri ended with Balotelli on for the disappointing Silva missing a glorious chance at the far post

Mancini and Platt don't look happy bunnies at the moment!

On 80 minutes a Clichy cross is headed out by Fox straight to Nasri who belts it into the net for the winner

This time it's the turn of City players and fans to cheer

...and just like the final game of last season a 2-1 deficit has been turned into a win - great stuff indeed.