Afternoon all. So, after an action-packed Saturday in the Premier League, this afternoon the impressive Southampton play host to champions Manchester City at the St Mary's Stadium. It promises to be an entertaining encounter on the South Coast, that's for sure.

Yet, before we look deeper into this encounter and the implications of the result, let's start with the team news. First up, the home side...

SOUTHAMPTON XI: Forster; Clyne, Fonte, Alderweireld, Bertrand; S Davis, Schneiderlin, Wanyama, Mane, Tadic; Pelle

SOUTHAMPTON SUBS: K Davis, Yoshida, Gardos, Long, Mayuka, Reed, Targett

There's no major surprises from Saints boss Ronald Koeman, who has made one change to his starting lineup. Striker Shane Long has dropped down to the bench, with Steven Davis coming into to shore up the midfield. Elsewhere, Sadio Mane and Dusan Tadic will offer the support to Graziano Pelle up front, with the in-form Nathaniel Clyne continuing at right-back.

And now for the champions...

MAN CITY XI: Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Mangala, Clichy; Fernandinho, Toure; Navas, Jovetic, Nasri; Aguero

MAN CITY SUBS: Caballero, Pozo, Milner, Lampard, Fernando, Sagna, Demichelis

In the wake of Tuesday's dramatic victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League, Manuel Pellegrini has made four alterations to his City side. In come Pablo Zabaleta, Fernandinho, Yaya Toure and Stevan Jovetic, with Bacary Sagna, Frank Lampard and James Milner all dropping down to the bench. Of course, City's main man - Sergio Aguero - starts up front and will no doubt be looking to continue his clinical form.

Turning attention back to Southampton and their midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin. He's just been talking to Sky Sports News and here is some of what he had to say:

"We are confident we can cause Man City problems. Everyone knows it is going to be a hard game, a very tight game. It should be an interesting game. We want to win every game, and we know we can cause problems to any team at St Mary's. We prepared as best as ever to show Man City and the Premier League what we are about again."

Of course, it's impossible to talk about City and not mention Aguero. The Argentine's hat-trick against Bayern Munich took his tally for the season to 17 goals in 18 outings this season. Are City a one-man team? They certainly rely on the 26-year-old heavily.

Having said that, Aguero will be up against England's meanest defence today. Southampton have shipped just seven goals in their 12 Premier League matches this term. What's more, only one of those goals have been conceded in front of their own supporters.

CHELSEA SLIP UP! There was a big result for these two sides at the Stadium of Light last night. Chelsea's 0-0 draw with Sunderland means that Southampton and City are seven and nine points behind the leaders. While the Saints are not expected to mount a serious title challenge over the course of the whole season, City certainly are. The Blues may not drop points too often this season, meaning that Pellegrini's men must capitalise when it does happen.

VIDEO PREVIEW: Right, can the Saints continue their positive start to the campaign? Here, Sports Mole's very own Barney Corkhill and Pascal Lemesre have their say:

The chaps have had their say below, but let's now hear from the two managers, starting with Koeman, who has been talking to Sky Sports News:

"We have the chance to show our qualities against a very good squad. We must keep our way of playing, everybody knows that way, but it is more difficult to show that against the big teams."

Koeman was also asked about to threat that Aguero poses, to which he replied: "You can't always stop these kind of players, that's football. You have to be so concentrated."

Staying with Aguero, it's actually a landmark day for the City frontman. Will he mark it with a goal? It would take a brave person to bet against him!

And here is Aguero's manager Pellegrini, who during the week was full of praise for Southampton:

"Southampton is a very good team with good players and they are playing very well. If you review last season, I think Southampton was very near this position in this week. They have very good players and they play well I don't know exactly the amount of points, but it was an important team also - especially in the first round of fixtures so for me it is not a surprise."

HEAD TO HEAD: Despite their great start to the campaign, Southampton do not enter this contest with the best of recent records over City. Of the eight last meetings between the two sides, the Saints have won just once. However, overall, Southampton have recorded 30 victories to City's 26, with 25 draws thrown in.

There is not long now until we get underway at the St Mary's Stadium, with the Southampton players having just returned to the dressing room for a final team talk:

STATS! Courtesy of Southampton's official Twitter page, here are some pre-match stats:

Man City have hit the most shots on target this season (76), while Saints have allowed the fewest on their goal (25).

Southampton have scored in each of their last six games, amassing a total of 16 goals.

Man City have kept three clean sheets in their opening 12 Premier League games, while Saints have kept seven.

Right, the players are in the tunnel and will soon be making their way out on to the pitch. Just under four minutes now until we get started.

KICKOFF! Hosting Southampton, attacking from left to right in the first half, get proceedings underway at the St Mary's Stadium. A big 90 minutes ahead!

It's been a frantic start from both sides, neither of whom have carved out an opening of any note. City have arguably settled the quicker of the two teams with a succession of neat passes, but Southampton are working hard to win back possession.

BOOKING! It's a great battle right in that midfield, which Toure has just broken away from. He was halted by a mistimed sliding challenge from Wanyama and the Southampton midfielder is rightly cautioned. It's a long time for the Kenyan to ensure that he doesn't receive another before the final whistle.

BOOKING! It's now 1-1 in terms of bookings and this one goes to Aguero, rather unjustly. The City striker falls to the ground inside the area under a challenge from Fonte and is booked for diving. Replays show that it was a clear penalty, rather than simulation. A lucky escape for the home side!

It's been a positive start from City, who are keeping possession well and are probing for an opening. As for Southampton, they have done very little in an attacking sense. They are finding it difficult to keep the ball against a well organised City side.

SAVE! More carelessness from Southampton, this time from Tadic. The Saints are really struggling to keep the ball at present. If anything, they look a little nervy in possession. Moments later, Toure's shot from distance is held at the second attempt by Forster.

SAVE! Mixed goalkeeping from Hart during Southampton's first meaningful attack. First, the City keeper looks scared as he scoops the ball away from Pelle, but he then atones by turning away the rebound effort from Davis. Kompany then throws himself in the way of Pelle as the Saints striker looked to fire in, before the danger is cleared when Tadic couldn't turn the ball goalwards. How did they not score?!

BOOKING! Another yellow card for City, although it's warranted on this occasion. Mangala gets his name taken down following a poorly timed tackle on Tadic.

It seems that former City midfielder Dietmar Hamann is not overly impressed by Mangala's performance so far:

So, Aguero is human after all! From 25 yards out he goes for goal, but the City striker only succeeds in finding about row Q in the stand behind the goal!

OFF THE LINE! Great defending from Alderweireld, who gets back on the line to block a shot from Jovetic, which goes through Forster's legs. Then, as the Southampton defender hacks clear, the ball strikes Aguero, but luckily for the home side, they are able to eventually thwart the danger. A let off for the hosts.

CHANCE! Half a chance for Southampton as Pelle gets up at the near post to meet Davis's corner. There is no Saints player gambling at the far post, though, and the ball drifts harmlessly out of play.

The Saints deserve some credit because having struggled during the opening exchanges, they have settled down and are playing the type of passing football that we have become accustomed to of late. The midfield has given the team a platform to start moving further up the pitch, which wasn't happening earlier on.

A moment of confusion between Hart and Mangala at the back for City as the latter lashes the ball out for a corner, despite receiving a clear call form his keeper. Fortunately for the summer signing from Porto, the danger is eventually cleared.

The fourth official has indicated that there will be two minutes of stoppage time at the end of this first half.

There goes the whistle for the break following an entertaining, yet ultimately goalless opening 45 minutes at the St Mary's Stadium.

From Southampton's point of view, they certainly grew into the game. Early on, they were well off the pace and struggled to string three passes together. Yet, they've come out the other side of that and have ended the half strongly. Having said that, Koeman will no doubt want his side to work Hart on more occasions after the restart.

As for City, they will probably be disappointed not to be in front, having had long spells in possession. However, for all their domination of the ball, they haven't created too many clear cut chances. Of course, they should have also had a penalty when Aguero was amazingly booked instead for diving!

Before the second half gets underway, here's some match action courtesy of Southampton's Twitter page:

RESTART! As visiting City get the action back underway, there is news of a substitution for Southampton. Schneiderlin, presumably injured, has gone off and has been replaced by Maya Yoshida. It seems that the Japanese player will slot in at centre-back, with Alderweireld moving into the midfield.

CHANCE! It's been a bright start to the second half from Southampton, who go close through Tadic. The Serbian dances beyond Fernandinho with a quick stepover, before lashing his shot goalwards from the edge of the area. It has Hart worried enough to dive, but the ball skids a foot or two wide of the upright.

Southampton's positive start to the half counts for little as City break the deadlock. Having scored so many goals this season, Aguero turns provider as he pulls the ball back for Toure 20 yards from goal. The Ivorian's shot is instant and powerful, which beats a helpless Forster via a slight deflection off Alderweireld. Is Toure starting to rediscover his best form? Maybe so. City lead 1-0 on the South Coast.

MAN CITY SUB: There doesn't appear to be an injury for Jovetic, who takes his leave early in the second half. He's been replaced by James Milner, which could see Toure pushed further up to support Aguero.

There has been little in the way of a reaction from Southampton to the City goal, with Mane having there only effort, which flew well over. They look a little dazed, having started the half so well.

It could well be time soon for Koeman to turn to Long. The Irishman has some pace, which may cause the likes of Mangala problems in a central attacking position. Both Tadic and Mane have been off form today, so it could be either of those that makes way.

MAN CITY SUB: Another alteration for City and it's Frank Lampard that is coming on - he has seven career goals against Southampton. The veteran has replaced Nasri.

SOUTHAMPTON SUB: As I predicted moments ago, Long is coming on for Southampton. The striker has taken the place of Mane.

CHANCE! Well, that is a collector's item! Kompany flicks on an inswinging corner for Aguero, who has what looks to be the simple task of volleying in from six yards out. Somehow, though, the usually dependable Argentine fires well over the crossbar. He looks stunned that he missed that, as we all are!

CHANCE! A poor pass from Wanyama sees Navas nip in ahead of a flat-footed Bertrand and the Spanish winger is through on goal. However, he drags his shot a touch and the ball drifts a foot wide of Forster's upright. Navas is disappointed at himself and you can see why - he should have scored that, or at least worked the keeper.

Well, Mangala's stint in England so far goes from bad to worse, although he's not really to blame on this occasion. His centre-back partner Kompany gives the ball away and Long pounces. The Southampton striker is through on goal, but as Mangala tries to atone for the City skipper's error, he brings down Long and is handed his second caution. It's the right decision, despite the protests.

MAN CITY SUB: An almost instant reaction from Pellegrini to the red card, who throws on centre-back Demichelis in place of Navas. Can the 10 men hold on?

CHANCE! Despite their depleted numbers, City are not settling for 1-0 it would seem. Aguero does well to hold up the ball and then pick out Fernandinho inside the area. His first touch is not the greatest, but despite the narrowing angle, he tries his luck. It's a powerful effort, but the ball ends up in the side netting.

Frank Lampard does what Frank Lampard does! Davis gives away possession too easily and City break with Milner. He picks out the midfielder on the edge of the area and having taken one touch to settle himself, he then fires into the bottom corner of Forster's net. That's a really good finish from Lampard, who has been doing that sort of thing all his career. It should be the three points in the bag for 10-man City.

BOOKING! A needless booking for City skipper Kompany for bundling over Long down by the touchline. Moments later, Southampton take off Davis and throw on Emmanuel Mayuka.

SAVE! Forster was caught coming off his line last week, but he stays at home this time as Aguero bursts through. The City striker attempts to round the Southampton keeper, but he gets a hand on the ball and is able to turn away the danger. A goal seemed inevitable there.

CHANCE! Huge opening for the Saints as Long outpaces Zabaleta down the left flank. His cross seems perfect for Pelle, but the Italian, at full stretch, just fails to make a connection with the ball. Had he got a touch from six yards out, it would have been a certain goal. That could be the end of Southampton's chances here.

Game, set and the match Man City! A classic counter-attack as Demichelis releases Aguero, who unselfishly squares the ball for left-back Clichy of all people. He had never scored for City in 120 appearances, but the Frenchman finds the top corner of the net with an emphatic finish.

Yet, as City celebrate a well earned three points, there could be some bad news. Their skipper Kompany has just limped off with what looks to be a calf injury and he will play no further part in this game. So, it will be 10 vs. 10 for the remainder of this game, of which there will be five minutes of stoppage time.

There goes the final whistle and it's a great win for City, who were much the better side it has to be said. They have closed the gap on leaders Chelsea to six points, while Southampton must go away and recover with big games against Arsenal and Man United on the horizon.

That's all we have time for from the St Mary's Stadium, but be sure to stick with Sports Mole over the course of the afternoon for reaction, analysis and player ratings. Also, Tottenham vs. Everton is due to kickoff shortly. You can follow our live text coverage of the action from White Hart Lane here. Until next time, goodbye.