Good afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of Manchester City's trip to Hull City in the Premier League. Plenty at stake for both teams today. We should have team news through for you shortly.

MAN CITY: Caballero; Zabaleta, Kompany, Mangala, Clichy; Milner, Fernandinho, Yaya Toure, Silva; Aguero, Dzeko

MAN CITY SUBS: Hart, Sagna, Kolarov, Navas, Lampard, Pozo, Demichelis

Following on from Wednesday's 7-0 thrashing of Sheffield Wednesday in the League Cup, Man City manager Manuel Pellegrini has made five changes to his starting lineup. Pablo Zabaleta, Gael Clichy, Vincent Kompany, David Silva and Sergio Aguero all return for the champions. Meanwhile, Willy Caballero keeps his place in goal at the expense of Joe Hart. An interesting call from Pellegrini, that.

HULL: McGregor; Rosenior, Davies, Dawson, Elmohamady, Robertson; Livermore, Diame, Huddlestone; Jelavic, Hernandez

HULL SUBS: Harper, Bruce, Chester, Meyler, Brady, Ramirez, Ben Arfa

After seeing his team suffer a late defeat at West Bromwich Albion in the League Cup in midweek, Hull boss Steve Bruce has made a whopping 10 changes today. Liam Rosenior is the only player who keeps his place from The Hawthorns as Michael Dawson, Mohamed Diame, Tom Huddlestone, Nikica Jelavic and Abel Hernandez are among the big names to return for the Tigers.

Man City manager Manuel Pellegrini: "We went four games without a win until Wednesday and although we have not played badly we need to start winning games regularly now, especially at Hull because we cannot drop more points.

"For every team, it is not good to drop points at the beginning because you know at the end of the season the title is probably going to be decided by just one point. But I'm not worried about our form."

Hull City's Curtis Davies: "Always, against Manchester City, you have to be at your absolute best. But sometimes even that isn't good enough because of the quality they have.

"We saw it last March, when they came here and won 2-0. We had a good 15 minutes, they got their skipper Vincent Kompany sent off, and we were thinking, 'we might be able to do something.' Then up pops David Silva, who whips one into the top corner. They've got that moment of magic in five or six of their players and, when you have that, it's always going to be a worry."

Hull are currently on a winless run of four matches in the Premier League, but they will be aware that Man City's recent record is not much better. The champions have failed to win any of their last three games in the top flight, leaving them five points behind leaders Chelsea. It might be early days in the season, but Manuel Pellegrini will be telling his players that they have to come away with the spoils today.

If you've got a spare couple of minutes before kickoff, why not check out our video preview of today's match?

Looking at the Premier League table, Hull could climb as high as fourth place this afternoon, though that would only happen if they hammer their opponents and other results go their way. Meanwhile, Man City could move up to second spot should they leave the KC Stadium with a win. You can take a look at the current standings here.

Just going back to that Man City teamsheet briefly, you have to wonder what it means for Joe Hart to be benched for the second successive game. Could Manuel Pellegrini be subtly phasing the shotstopper out of the side? There are sure to be one or two questions over his future after today.

HEAD TO HEAD: These teams have only played each other a handful of times down the years, but it's Man City who have the better record with eight wins to Hull's four. Meanwhile, there have been a total of six draws.

Man City have had the better record in recent times as well, winning four of the last six encounters. They enjoyed a pair of 2-0 victories both home and away last season with David Silva and Edin Dzeko getting the goals at the KC Stadium. Hull's last triumph was a 2-1 win on home turf back in February 2010.

UPDATE: Today's early match in the Premier League has just finished at Anfield, where Liverpool and Everton have played out an entertaining 1-1 draw. Steven Gerrard put the Reds ahead midway through the second half with a superb free kick, but the Toffees earned a share of the spoils in stoppage time thanks to an incredible long-range effort from Phil Jagielka. Yes, you read that correctly. You can read our match report here.

One man who is likely to play an important role for Hull this afternoon is Mo Diame. The midfielder has enjoyed a strong start to his career with the Tigers, scoring two goals in his first two games. Man City may have to keep an eye on him, especially when he moves towards the box.

It seems a bit daft trying to pick out a dangerman for Man City considering their side is packed full of threatening attacking players. However, David Silva remains their heartbeat in the final third thanks to his slick passing and slippery movement. No doubt Steve Bruce will have worked with his players in trying to stop, or at least hinder, the Spaniard.

Not long to go now as the players from both teams emerge in the tunnel at the KC Stadium. Vincent Kompany stands at the front of the Man City line with his usual look of intense focus. The defender was sent off in this fixture last season, though it made little difference in the end as the Blues won 2-0.

KICKOFF! The teams are out, the pre-match handshakes have been done, and it will be Man City to get us underway. Here we go!

CHANCE! Man City come flying out of the traps and almost take the lead through Aguero! The striker bursts past a couple of defender before getting a powerful shot away on the angle, but McGregor was there to push it away. Dzeko was free in the middle there; maybe Aguero would have been better pulling the ball back.

This has been a superb start from the champions. They're playing at a high tempo, making life difficult for Hull already. The hosts have hardly been out of their own half so far. Steve Bruce's side are probably not going to see much of the ball today, so they'll need to keep their concentration if they want to keep Man City at bay.

Well, it's been coming! Man City have been excellent so far, and they deservedly take the lead thanks to a clever strike from Sergio Aguero. The Argentine makes space for himself inside the penalty area before turning and hitting a half-volley past McGregor.

Oh, what a goal from Edin Dzeko! The Bosnian striker plants one in the top corner to give the champions an extremely commanding 2-0 lead. Aguero feeds his partner, who is lurking on the edge of the box, Dzeko then cuts onto his right foot before launching an absolute howitzer past McGregor. What an awesome strike.

It's already looking as if this might be an afternoon of damage limitation for Hull. To find yourselves 2-0 down to the champions with now even 15 minutes played is catastrophic. Steve Bruce is shell-shocked down on the touchline. Meanwhile, Manuel Pellegrini has a look of mild satisfaction on his face.

Man City are just first to everything at the moment. Hull have shown one or two encouraging signs, though there is no doubting that they will have to pull something special out of the hat if they're going to fight back from this. Man City's passing is crisp, precise and purposeful.

Game on! They've been second best since kickoff, but Hull are suddenly back in this match thanks to an own goal from Eliaquim Mangala! Rosenior makes a brilliant run down the right flank before putting a dangerous cross into the heart of the opposition penalty area. Mangala gets his head to it first, only to guide the ball past Caballero and into the net.

Man City haven't allowed their heads to drop after conceding that goal. They're still looking to push forward whenever they can, pinning Hull back. Milner whips a free kick in from the right side, only for Dawson to get his head on it to clear.

Good defending from Davies there with Man City threatening. The ball is played into the feet of Aguero, who only has Davies to beat, but the centre-back stands his ground and dispossesses the striker. It's that sort of focus and concentration that Hull need to show this afternoon.

All credit to the Hull fans: they're creating a superb atmosphere inside the KC Stadium. They were loud even when their side was 2-0 down, but that Mangala own goal has seen the volume increased just that little bit more. On the pitch it's Man City who are still enjoying the majority of the possession, though Hull are doing a good job in pressing and putting pressure on the champions.

This is incredible! Hull were 0-2 inside the opening 10 minutes, but they've now pulled it back to 2-2! The penalty is given when Mangala catches Hernandez with a high boot - a challenge that sees the City defender booked. Hernandez then steps up to take the spot kick and calmly puts it past Caballero.

The whole complexion of this game has changed now. It was looking as if Man City would run away with it early on, only for Hull to fight back impressively. A word about the Hull penalty: Jelavic was eager to take it before he was moved away from the ball by his teammates. It's difficult to say what that was all about.

This really is a test of Man City's mettle. The champions are still seeing more of the ball than Hull, but they certainly don't look as comfortable as they did earlier. The Tigers are showing plenty more hustle since they got their first goal. A cross from Robertson deflects off Kompany for a corner, which eventually comes to nothing.

Something of a half-chance for Man City as Dzeko gets on the end of Silva's free kick from the left, though he can only guide a tame header wide of goal. The attacking threat that the visitors demonstrated early on has all but evaporated now. Hull go up the other end and Caballero keeps out an effort from Hernandez.

CHANCE! Dzeko threatens again as he gets a head on Milner's cross from the right. However, the striker sees his effort sail over the crossbar from about eight yards out. Man City are beginning to pose a few questions to Hull as we head towards half time.

There will be TWO MINUTES of added time at the end of the half...

What a remarkable opening 45 minutes of football! Man City looked extremely comfortable as Aguero and Dzeko put them 2-0 up in the first 10 minutes, but a Mangala own goal and a Hernandez penalty have seen Hull fight back to go in level at the break.

Man City have been the better side so far, but Hull will certainly fancy their chances now. The hosts have shown a lot of spirit so far, competing with plenty of fight and determination, particularly in midfield. Steve Bruce will be happy, Manuel Pellegrini not so much.

While his team may have thrown away a two-goal lead, Man City manager Manuel Pellegrini won't be panicking just yet. Let's not forget that he can still call upon the likes of Jesus Navas and Frank Lampard from the bench if he needs to. We all know the impact that Lampard had as a substitute last week...

One area where Man City will need to improve on during the second half is in defence. Mangala in particular has been poor so far, which is surprising considering his excellent debut against Chelsea last weekend. He may well need a bit more protection if Hull decide to go after him in the second period.

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! The players are back out and it will be Hull to get us back underway. No changes from either manager at the break.

CHANCE! Close for Hull as Huddlestone tries his luck from all of 30 yards, but Caballero gets down low to push the ball away from danger. It's been an encouraging start to the second half for the hosts. Hernandez and Jelavic then link well in the final third as Hull threaten again, only for Man City to clear.

OFF THE POST! Oh so nearly a third goal for Man City now as a long-range effort from Toure rattles the woodwork. McGregor was beaten all ends up. It's end to end stuff at the moment.

It's very hard to separate these teams right now. Man City are enjoying a little bit more of the ball, but Hull are looking dangerous on the break. The visitors are showing some neat touches in and around the penalty area, though they're not really doing much with it. Hull will be fine with that.

Frank Lampard is currently warming up on the touchline for Man City. Could the veteran midfielder be called upon soon? His nous around the box could be just what the champions are lacking. Meanwhile, Hull are starting to build up a head of steam as they threaten with a couple of corners.

Huddlestone tries his luck with a speculative drive from about 35 yards that flies high over the crossbar. We've seen him smash them in from there before, but it's not to be on this occasion. Still, Hull are showing no signs of going away as we head towards the hour mark.

The ebb and flow of this game now sees Man City asking the questions. Silva receives the ball in the box before trying to thread a pass through to Aguero. However, the Spaniard's attempted assist is cut out by a Hull defender. That kind of sums up the visitors. Maybe Silva could have had a pop there himself.

SUBSTITUTION: Man City make their first change of the afternoon as Fernandinho is replaced by Jesus Navas. It looks as if the Brazilian midfielder may have a knock as he walks off the pitch.

That's why they're champions! Man City haven't been at their best today but they've regained the lead thanks to Edin Dzeko's second goal of the afternoon. The striker gets the ball out on the left before guiding a controlled shot across McGregor and into the far corner. The goalkeeper could maybe have done better there, though the visitors will not mind one bit.

CHANCE! Man City really look in the mood now. Toure tries to curl the ball into the top corner from about 25 yards, only to see McGregor tip his effort around the post. Meanwhile, Frank Lampard is introduced to the action in place of Aguero.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Hull make a double change as Ramirez and Ben Arfa replace Livermore and Hernandez. Steve Bruce is throwing caution to the wind here as the hosts chase an equaliser.

Man City are trying to take some of the sting out of the game now, passing the ball about and making Hull do all of the chasing. The hosts are sure to be deflated after going 3-2 down, but they still have a chance of coming away from this match with something.

SUBSTITUTION: Another swap for Man City sees David Silva come off for Martin Demichelis. Manuel Pellegrini wants to shut up shop for the final 10 minutes or so.

SUBSTITUTION: Hull's final changes of the afternoon sees Robbie Brady replace Andy Robertson. The hosts are enjoying a decent spell of pressure at the moment. Can they make it count and find an equaliser?

Hull are seeing all of the ball as we head into the final five minutes of normal time, but they just don't have that quality to unlock the Man City defence. The Tigers are pumping balls into the penalty area that the opposition, led by Kompany, are dealing with relatively ease.

CHANCE! Hull come within inches of making it 3-3! Huddlestone's long-range effort takes a wicked deflection off Kompany before going narrowly over the crossbar with Caballero beaten. Man City know that they will have to be fully focused for the final few minutes.

He's done it again! Frank Lampard scores his third goal in three games for Man City, killing this game off in the process. Zabaleta makes a surging run into the Hull box before pulling the ball back to Lampard, who makes no mistake from close range.

We'll have FOUR MINUTES of added time at the end of this match...

CHANCE! Man City have a great opportunity to make it 5-3 as the ball falls to Milner inside the box. However, the midfielder's shot goes high over the bar.

It wasn't always easy, but Man City have withstood a Hull fightback to earn an important 4-2 win at the KC Stadium. Hull will count themselves unlucky after coming back from 0-2 down to level at 2-2. However, the away side's quality eventually shone through.